Beautiful Skin Blog by Belisi

So now you know how to clear up the occasional bout of adult acne, prevent fine lines and wrinkles (or at least try), and use makeup to hide imperfections (see Celebrity Beauty Secrets Part I and II). Now what about the rest of you? With warm weather knocking at our formerly frost-bitten doors, a girl has got to look golden. Say goodbye to pasty skin, lifeless hair and those extra winter pounds with these celebrity beauty secrets.

The Perfect Tan

So what do Jessica Alba, Britney Spears, Paris and Nikki Hilton, and Nicole Richie have in common? Yes they’re all famous and they’re never seen without a perfect tan (hey, you still should look good in your mug shot or psych ward intake photo right?)

And where else do these celebutants and leading ladies get their bronzed glows than LA Sunset Tan. You know, the notorious LA tanning spa featured on E! Entertainment’s hit reality TV show “Sunset Tan”. Who can forget the Olly Girls?

“At LA Sunset Tan, we provide the star treatment to our clients that keep celebrity clientele including Jessica Alba, Lindsey Lohan and the Hilton sisters looking radiantly bronzed," says Kevin Haman, CEO and Founder of LA Sunset Tan.  "Our signature “LA Sunset Tan Cocktail” offers guests VIP robe service and complimentary beverages as they slip from the state-of-the-art, high-pressure bed into a sunless spray unit in order to achieve the freshest golden glow."

LA Sunset Tan even offers a spray tan that defines muscles, giving the look of a six pack. Is anything real anymore? If it looks good, who cares right?

A Cure for Cellulite

From patented solutions to natural remedies, celebs have access to the best cosmetic surgeons and doctors. Besides the make-up artists, hair stylists and fashion designers, some stars turn to talented doctors to transform flaws into assets—literally overnight.

Dr. Lionel Bissoon (www.Mesotherapy.com), who brought the cellulite cure from France to the US eight years ago, then stabilized the solution and the delivery technique, turned his talents toward rejuvenation that can make a difference instantly.

Called Mesotherapy, this method is simply dozens of quick pricks with small amounts of solution injected almost painlessly into the middle layer of the skin. Mesotherapy produces consistently effective results for stars of any shape, size, or weight.

When celebrities need a quick lift, Dr. Bissoon uses The Mesolift, a rejuvenation technique that can take years off a face while also giving the illusion that the star has lost weight-a thinner sculpted face makes the body appear slimmer.

The Mesolift process delivers vitamins, minerals and amino acids directly into the skin to nourish and rejuvenate, promote production of collagen and elastin, and stimulate the metabolism. Anti-aging solutions that are actually good for you.

The solutions work immediately, so sagging jowls, droopy eyes, a puffy face, or a double chin disappear almost as soon as they are injected. So the celebrity can even visit Dr. Bissoon Oscar day (or for any event in front of cameras) and walk out of his office looking refreshed, relaxed and rejuvenated for the evening.

Almost as fast is body sculpting for love handles, back fat or saddlebags, which paparazzi capture with unflattering accuracy (or company picnic photos for the rest of us). Through the use of proprietary fat burning solutions injected into the "meso" or middle layer of the skin the fat cells are permanently destroyed and the body eliminates them naturally through the bloodstream in just a few weeks.

Oscar Day arrives and voila! celebs walk the red carpet toned and tightened with thinner thighs and smooth buttocks beaming with a healthy happy glow.

Crowsfeet and Fine Lines

“As nominees and celebrities prepare for their close ups, many of them look for small changes; maybe they are tired of the crows’ feet around their eyes or they would like fuller, plumper lips. For them, injectable fillers are a great answer,” says Dr. 90210 Plastic Surgeon Dr. Paul S. Nassif.

The key is subtle enhancements that don’t sound the alarm. That’s why Dr. Nassif developed "The Anti-Gravity Facelift," which leaves no visible scars and has been noted for achieving natural-looking results in the shortest recovery time.

You don’t have to have celebrity bank accounts to take advantage of the many non-invasive cosmetic procedures out there such as the diamond-abrasion photofacial (microdermabrasion without the messy crystals), which costs no more than $300.

No Fuss Hair

Ever wonder how celebrities look great even in those candid photos? Almost everyone looks fabulous if her hair looks fantastic. So do celebrities have stylists do their hair every single day? Of course not! They just know how to blow dry their hair. And you can too. Raymond Marc Salon in Walnut Creek, California offers blowdrying classes for the hair challenged (it’s hard holding the blowdryer in one hand and the brush in the other!). If you can’t make it to California, make an appointment at your local salon for a lesson, or pick up a hair styling video at www.stylelikeapro.com.

At-home beauty remedies

Want glowing skin like Jessica Alba, Scarlett Johansson and Reese Witherspoon without the high cost of chemical peels, facials and expensive spa treatments?

Look no further than your medicine cabinet! For smooth feet, glowing skin and gorgeous hair, Epsom Salt has been the beauty secret for stylish and savvy women for decades. For just pennies a pound and available at your local drugstore or supermarket, Epsom Salt is a proven way to achieve a red carpet ready look.

Epsom Salt is a great at-home spa treatment that is easy to use as a gentle face mask, an exfoliating skin treatment, or a bath salt, leaving skin radiant and glowing.

Exfoliate: Mix 2 cups of Epsom Salt with 1/4 cup of petroleum jelly and a few drops of lavender essential oil. Use the mixture to gently scrub away dry skin patches.

Gentle facial: Mix 1/2 TSP of Epsom Salt into cleansing cream for a deep-pore cleansing. Massage on skin. Rinse with cool water. Pat dry.

Relaxing soak (remember, stress aging you): Add two cups of Epsom Salt to the water in a standard-sized bathtub; soak for at least 12 minutes, three times weekly. For an extra treat, add a few drops of eucalyptus oil for a refreshing scent.

Hair volumizer: Combine equal parts of warm, deep conditioner and Epsom Salt. Work the warm mixture through your hair and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse.

Foot scrub: Mix 2 cups of Epsom Salt with 1/4 cup of petroleum jelly and a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Use the mixture to gently scrub the heels and dry, rough patches on the feet. Repeat every few days.

::A. Covington for Beautiful Me

Celebrities know all the great beauty tricks for looking younger and hiding flaws. Now you can too.

Younger looking skin

In Hollywood skin regimens, it’s all about prevention. But let’s face it, sometimes Nature has its way with our skin before we realize what’s happening. Stars like Felicity Huffman rely on super serums like Leaf & Rusher Active Serum to stave off the signs of aging. In this heavy-duty beauty product Retinol and vitamin C join forces to battle fine lines and wrinkles and boost collagen production. 

Foundation that pulls double duty

Ever wonder why celebrity skin looks so great? According to Fatima Olive, a celebrity makeup artist who has worked with Christy Turlington, Jessica Simpson, Maria Sharapova and Petra Nemcova, it’s because professional makeup artists always use two to three different colors of foundation to highlight and low light different pigments all over the face. Most women don’t realize their skin tone varies and buy only one shade of foundation.

Here’s an easy pro trick: Use a dual foundation compact like Redpoint’s Transformative Dual Foundation. With two shades, you can easily blend and match to bring out a particular feature. The compact is also a great easy tool to have throughout the seasons as skin tone tans and fades. Check out more makeup tips from the pros here.

Even out skin tone

Reese Witherspoon, Daisy Fuentes, Nicollette Sheridan and Jennifer Hudson know something we don’t know … until now anyway. All are fans of Per-fekt Beauty’s skin perfection gel—all-in-one antioxidant enriched primer, sheer foundation and color corrector that dries with a gorgeous powder finish.

This power foundation glides on effortlessly to instantly even skin tone, control oil and reduce the appearance of redness, enlarged pores and fine lines. Alpha Lipoic Acids fight aging and Vitamins A & E repair and protect skin from future damage. Available in 5 sheer shades that perfectly match all skin tones for $57.50 at Sephora.com.

Get a Healthy Glow

Piling on tinted moisturizer is one way to try for the sun-kissed look, or you could hydrate and nourish from the inside out. Drinking enough water (yes, you really should drink 6-8 8 oz. glasses) is a start. Giving your body the nutrients it needs is another way to look like a dewy goddess.

CherryPharm (isn’t that clever?) is a favorite of Courtney Cox and Kate Bosworth for clear, glowing skin. CherryPharm is packed with antioxidants, helping to reduce inflammation and redness—and you get 2-3 servings of fruit in each bottle. Cherries and cheers to looking and feeling great!

Pamper your way to better skin

Looking your best isn’t all pain—it can be a lot of fun taking care of your body and skin. Celebrity esthetician Joanna Vargas’s Triple Crown Facial helps leading ladies achieve that young and dewy look (and without Botox!).

Offered in NYC and LA, the Triple Crown Facial begins with the “diamond peel” for gentle exfoliation to remove impurities. Next, the facial muscles and the skin are stimulated with a special microcurrent to tighten and enhance skin elasticity, then it concludes with an oxygen treatment that supplements the skin with all the needed nutrients through vitamin infused 98% pure oxygen.

Plump Up Lips

Candace Bushnell, author of Sex and the City and Lipstick Jungle appeared on The Today Show on Feb. 14, 2008 with gorgeously plump, lush, glossy lips. Her secret?  DermaQuest’s spectacular C-Lipoic Lip Enhancer.

This lip treatment is enhanced with Vitamin C and contains Alpha Lipoic Acid and Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, plus additional ingredients to moisturize and increase lip volume. It also stimulates new cell growth for rosy, healthy lips and has a gorgeous orange fragrance and flavor!

Or, you could try a few tricks of the trade. “I find that the oldest trick is outlining in the 1950's ‘crueler’ style,” says celebrity makeup artist Ashunta Sheriff.  “Think of Joan Crawford, Lana Turner or Dorothy Dandridge. Going outside the lip line makes lips look dramatically bigger.  Of course if liner is something you don’t use, there are plenty lip plumpers out there.  My favorite is Lip Fusion which comes in many colors.”

Get Toned Skin

The Dynamic Trio: Grapeseed Extract, Green Tea, Hyaluronic Acid

Just like a Hollywood star is never a solo act (think personal assistants, managers, stylists, makeup artists, trainers, nutritionists, etc. that help her maintain a glamorous image), no one beauty ingredient treats all skin conditions.

There are three naturally occurring skin-tightening and anti-aging powerhouses catching the attention of celebrities: grapeseed extract, green tea and hyaluronic acid. 

“Grapeseed Extract is a natural skin brightening agent that diminishes uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation,” says David May of PRESCRIBEDsolutions,  a line of high-performance skincare products. It also has benefits as an anti-scarring agent.

Green tea (also known as Canellia sinensis) extract is a mixture of seven polyphenols that react rapidly to inactive free radicals (electrically charged oxygen particles) that are a source of major damage and aging of the skin.

“In clinical trials, green tea extract has been shown to prevent free radical attack 56% longer than an equivalent concentration of Vitamin E,” May says. “Green Tea Extract also enhances the absorption of anti-inflammatory ingredients into the skin.”

Hyaluronic acid may sound ominous but it’s actually an organic acid present in human skin, naturally making it the most effective natural skin moisturizer (it can hold up to 500 times its own weight in water).

According to LiveLonger123.com, hyaluronic acid has been scientifically proven to stimulate new cell growth. When should you use it? Use after exfoliation to protect, hydrate and moisturize (it’s great for all skin types).

You can find all of these ingredients in PRESCRIBEDsolutions’ skincare products including cleansers, anti-aging serums, hydrators  sold exclusively in medical offices.

It’s only natural that celebrities think they’re special enough to have beauty products customer tailored. But you can do this too! Think of it as having a dressed tailored to fit your body type. When visit a doctor’s office that carries the PRESCRIBEDsolutions line, they can customize your skincare solutions with condition specific boosters to address concerns like hyperpigmentation, anti-oxidant protection or the need for firming.

Three Custom Color Specialists is another beauty line that will custom blend makeup to suit your specifications. And there’s nothing like having your own signature style.

::A.Covington for Beautiful Me 

Sure, it’s their job to look good and they have plenty of help achieving their beauty goals but that doesn’t mean the rest of us can’t look as good as our favorite celebrities.

One tip celebrities learn early on is that beauty is achieved from the inside out and prevention is key. Going under the knife these days draws as much scrutiny as a bad beach photo showing dimpled thighs and belly fat. Celebrities are simply supposed to look fabulous but without showing the obvious signs of how they achieved the results. But we all know that nothing happens by magic.

We’ve asked celebrity makeup artists, skincare specialists, nutritionists, doctors and other professionals that work with today’s hottest celebrities to share some of the secrets to treating common skin complaints and achieving younger looking, radiant skin at any age.

Protect Skin from the Environment

Stars like Kate Hudson know that protecting their skin from harsh UV rays and environmental irritants helps to preserve the skin’s precious collagen reserves. Kate is a fan of Juice Beauty Green Apple Antioxidant Serum. 

Actress Cate Blanchett turns to N.V. Perricone Olive Oil Polyphenols Nutrient Face Fortifier (Whew! What a name!) to keep her skin protected with antioxidant packed polyphenols, which also reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Super Hydration

It’s all about the dewy complexion in Hollywood. So if you’re skin is as dry as sandpaper, you’d better get to hydrating (dry skin is more prone to fine lines, making you look older). Debra Messing always seems to pull off the quenched look. Try a dollop of Kate Somerville Quench Hydrating Serum to lock in moisture (plus the Vitamin A fights the signs of aging).

Ivanka Trump gets her Springtime glow from SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Masque. Sure, she’s already young but infusing her skin with youth-boosting hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 can keep her looking as young as she feels. Model-turned-actress Molly Sims moisturizes with dr. brandt contour effect moisturizing cream, which plumps up the skin by drenching it with moisture—and moisture is our friend.

Dark Circles

Katherine Heigl relies on Hylexin to stop undereye circles and puffiness in their tracks. The ingredients in Hylexin reinforce capillaries that deposit blood in the undereye area creating those persistent dark circles. So say goodbye to raccoon eyes and hello sexy!

Ashunta Sheriff, exclusive makeup artist to Alicia Keys, offers this advice for making tired eyes look brighter and more rested, “Concealer will definitely take away the appearance of dark circles.  Also, even though this skincare line is targeted for men, I've used Morning After Rescue Remedy Gel by Nickel.  With caffeine, cucumber and other vital ingredients for under eye skin, it perks eyes up quickly and makes them look refreshed.”

Adult Acne

Yes, even supermodels get pimples. Earlier this year supermodel Gisele Bundchen was asked what beauty tricks she’s picked up over the years and responded by saying, “I had a really horrible pimple on my nose, and a makeup artist gave me Nelsons Acne Gel. I kept putting it on, and my pimple went away. I was like, this is great. It doesn’t burn your skin.”

Statistics suggest that roughly 85% of the American population have a problem with acne. The Nelsons homeopathic acne gel actually works and contains no artificial colors, artificial fragrances, or animal products and it is not tested on animals. It’s made from natural ingredients like extracts of organically grown hypericum perforatum, calendula, and arnica.

~A. Covington for Belisi Fashions

Celebrity Hairstyles

Love Cameron Diaz’s whimsical locks? Or Jessica Alba’s gorgeous caramel highlights? Now you can see how you would look with your favorite celebrity’s hairstyle. Just go to http://www.instyle.com/instyle/makeover to instantly transform your “do” into a red carpet worthy coif.

So what’s in for hairstyles right now? “Textured and wavy is definitely making a comeback,” says Ann Marie Walts, Redken Artist at The LOFT in West Springfield, Mass. “So dust off your curling iron! The red carpet is a big influence in special occasion styling with a return to elegant, ‘old’ Hollywood glam.  Styles are more sophisticated and structured but soft, 1940s waves are in too. I’m also seeing a lot of lift and volume.”

So what if you fall in love with J Lo’s wavy tendrils but have fine hair? Watts says not to despair. “If you have fine hair or want more volume there are lots of volumizing haircare treatments you can use to achieve a fuller effect. I like Redken's Bodyfull line because it contains styling agents and protein in it. Protein helps make hair stronger and adds volume to fine hair.”

So is it really possible to get hair like Jennifer Lopez if you have hair like Twiggy? According to Walts, it depends. “When considering a "celebrity" hairstyle, look at the photo in great detail. Is it the color you like?  It is only just one color or is it a few colors?  How much darker or lighter is it than your own color now?  How often will have to visit a salon to maintain your new look?”

Other things to consider include the length--is it short or long? Do you and your star have similar face shapes, eye color and/or skin tone? Will the style best compliment your whole entire look and image? Even more importantly, will achieving your star style require special treatments to your hair like weaves, perms, straightening or extensions?

If you’re ready for a drastic change and committed to your new look, the good news is that you aren’t as limited as in the past. Now there are alternative ways of attain their celebrity hairstyle. “Hair extensions are the answer most of the time,” says Walts. “Many, Many of the stars are utilizing them and they provide immediate length, fullness, thickness, and/or an infusion of color.”

And there are a variety of hair extension options. Hair wefts are clipped in for a quick hairstyle makeover. The strand-by-strand hair extension process is a more sophisticated process that gently bonds real human hair to your own hair, using very small sections--and lasts about 2-5 months. Walts works with Great Lengths (www.greatlengths.net) hair extensions at her salon and considers them the ultimate option for her clients seeking celebrity styles.

Her best tip for achieving your celebrity hairstyle is to be very selective of the hairstylist you choose. “There are many great hairstylists and in our industry there are so many areas to specialize in,” she says. “So finding a salon/and or stylist that can recreate the look you are looking for is key.  Then just have fun!”

:: A. Covington for Belisi Fashions

You probably didn’t think science was cool growing up (unless you were one of those geeks who liked to make things explode). But according to the devoted fans of Hylexin® eye cream (actress Katherine Heigl among them), you'll be signing up for Science Club after you try it. Most of us know how hard it is to treat dark circles and that telltale morning puffiness that says, “hey look at me, I drank six dirty martinis last night and pigged out on a bag of potato chips). Hylexin is supposedly the answer to all our woes.

In scientific studies, Hylexin® was shown to help reduce hemoglobin degradation byproducts by optimizing enzymatic activity—reducing the appearance of deep discoloration and red-blue pigmentation. Studies also showed that Hylexin® can help strengthen the capillary matrix to help stop the "leaking", so your orbital eye area is protected against further damage.

See, isn’t science cool?

www.hylexin.com

:: A. Covington for Belisi Fashions

In all seriousness, when it comes to stores specializing in only cosmetics we are shade short of a full palette. On May 1, 2007, celebrities and tastemakers attended makeup artist Napoleon Perdis’ unveiling of his 4,000 square foot Hollywood Boulevardflagship store and his new Summer Rangecollection.

The Hollywood location of Napoleon Perdis Cosmetics, which will house both a retail boutique and makeup academy under one roof, will be the first full-service cosmetics destination in more than 50 years. The last store to have that distinction was Max Factor, whose shop closed in 1935. Like his legendary predecessor, Napoleon's store will provide the kind of pampering and personal attention of cosmetics shops during Hollywood's "Golden Age."

"While there were other ‘golden ages' of beauty that have faded into memory, we hope to start a new one in this store," says Napoleon. "Our goal is to make it a kind of oasis that will allow women to rediscover those eras and connect them to their modern lives."

Boasting decadent boudoirs, a clean color palette and chic design thematic, Napoleon Perdis boutiques serve as ultimate beauty destinations where women can experiment and play with best sellers such as Lip Lacquer, Long Black Mascara and Auto Pilot Pre-Foundation Skin Primer, among others. High-fashion styling pieces including vintage lamps and stools, rugs featuring pure wool from Australia and New Zealand and statement chandeliers hung from a high-gloss, ornate, white baroque ceilings bring Napoleon's aesthetic to life.

In addition to offering the full range of Napoleon Perdis products, the Hollywood flagship store will also offer such V.I.P. services and amenities as drive-by pick-ups, a la carte menus, concierge services, bridal packages and "corporate makeover for a takeover" programs, among others. Additionally, pamper yourself with lymphatic draining to help sculpt a face prior to makeup application and being photographed, manicures and pedicures, neck and shoulder massages and aromatherapy.

The Napoleon Perdis Makeup Academy will be a training facility for both professional makeup artists and everyday women. Established as a breeding ground for all aspiring makeup artists in Australia, Napoleon is determined to achieve the same in the U.S. with his Hollywood makeup academy as well as give everyday women a chance to learn how to better apply their makeup and look gorgeous.

Napoleon Perdis Cosmetics is sold at Napoleon Perdis stores, six Saks Fifth Avenue stores and 19 independents in the United States as well as at 50 The Bay stores in Canada. In addition, Napoleon Perdis has 52 stand-alone concept stores across Australia and New Zealand with over 600 point-of-sale locations.

Since the collection launched in 2005 its celebrity clientele has grown exponentially to include starlets like Teri Hatcher, Evangeline Lilly, Vanessa Minnillo, Amanda Bynes and Hilary and Hayley Duff.

~A. Covington for Belisi Fashions

Sweat-free celebs: the secret revealed

Ever wonder how Brad Pitt manages to pull off those tight shirts in 80 degree LA weather without looking like he fell into a pool? Curious as to how Angelina Jolie is able to shake hands with hundreds of journalists while maintaining curiously dry palms? The secret might be a heavy dose of Botox. I know, I just said we’ve all heard of Botox but you may not have heard of it being used like this.

A walk down the red carpet is a stressful event in itself without having to worry about unsightly sweat marks under the arms, or wet hands during introductions. Dr. Dolores Kent, who was recently featured on Tyra and Playboy Radio, shares the secrets of her celebrity clientele.

“Several injections of Botox into the underarms, palms, or just about any other site of chronic sweating will eliminate the problem,” says Dr. Kent. According to Dr. Kent, Botox injections in the hands and underarms have been a celebrity secret for quite some time. “Celebrities don’t want sweaty palms when greeting media, or have the dreadful water marks on their underarms show up in the next day’s tabloids.”  A few shots of controlled botulism toxin is all it takes.

How does it work? Botox treatment helps control this condition by temporarily blocking the chemical signals from the nerves that stimulate the sweat glands. When the sweat glands don't receive chemical signals, the severe sweating stops. Botox is FDA-approved for severe underarm sweating that is not adequately managed with topical agents.

It’s that simple. And you thought celebrities were born without sweat glands.

Fixing a broken smile

Dr. Kent also uses Botox to fix "crooked smiles”. One of her patients suffered a facial injury as a result of a car accident. The muscles around her mouth are not doing their job properly, and as a result, her smile has a crooked appearance.

Although this use for Botox has been documented in medical journals, it is unusual to be used in this type of case.

“Most surgeons are hesitant to use Botox around the mouth area for fear of damaging the muscles that control the smile.” says Charles Downey, staff writer for cosmeticsurgery.com.

If the results are as Dr. Kent expects, the patient will have a beautiful, normal smile again.

~A. Covington for Belisi Fashions

You’re not the only who’s noticed that the stars of Desperate Housewives—with the exception of the young and vibrant Eva Longoria, look better now than they did 10—even 15—years ago. Demi Moore and Heather Locklear are as gorgeous as they ever were. And we all know it’s not by sheer luck. While there’s something to say for taking care of your skin, chances are a plastic surgeon (or two) played a part in helping these stars stay looking youthful, even though they’ll deny it.

In our society, growing old “gracefully” is seen by some as a euphemism for choosing to accept and live with what the ravages of time dish out. Public opinion is inching closer to being more comfortable talking openly about cosmetic procedures but it’s still somewhat of a taboo topic—depending on your audience.

The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery recently conducted a consumer survey, which revealed that cosmetic surgery is something only 6% of the adult population has done, but that almost 20% of the population aspires to do at some point in their lifetime.

Some other interesting revelations from the study:

• An overwhelming 5 out of 6 consumers believe that personal appearance is key to professional success.
• When asked how open they would be about a cosmetic surgery procedure, 33% of consumers said they would tell only those who asked, while 18% said they would tell only close friends and family.
• The two most wanted celebrity features, according to the survey, are Jennifer Aniston’s eyes for women (46%) and Nick Lachey’s abs for men (51%).

While you probably wouldn’t chat up the cashier at the grocery store about your desire to get a lipo, you’ve probably spent your fair share of hours watching stars who’ve had work done, or at least done exploratory research of your own. We all know about facelifts and Botox. But science has come a lot way in creating minimally, or non-invasive, procedures that require little or no downtime at all.

Ooh La La – Get those pouty French lips you’ve always wanted

You know what we’re talking about--deliciously plump, kiss-me-now lips. French Lips™ is an innovative new lip augmentation technique developed by Dual Board Certified Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon Dr. Andrew Jacono to deliver sexy, pouty, bee-stung lips that look completely natural and totally kissable.

Using Restalyne®—a Hyaluronic Acid-based dermal filler–Dr. Jacono’s customized technique targets some 15 different anatomic zones of the lip versus the standard lip line (vermillion border) site currently favored by plastic surgeons and dermatologists worldwide

By injecting the Philtral columns (the two vertical lines above the lips), the center part of the cupid’s bow (to accentuate it’s curvature) and the outer half of the lips, towards the corners (which rolls the lip out ever so slightly), Dr. Jacono’s technique delivers the pouty, sexy lips which have come to define classic beauty and youth. Cost: $1,000. Results last 4-5 months.

“The lips are an essential component of facial symmetry and aesthetics,” says Dr. Jacono.  “Anthropometric studies have shown that wider and fuller lips in relation to facial width, as well as greater vermillion height are a mark of female attractiveness.” Thus, full lips have become increasingly desirable and are considered both youthful and beautiful. This is precisely why the demand for lip augmentation procedures continues to skyrocket.  In fact, The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Annual Survey ranked lip augmentation as the #1 most popular cosmetic procedure in 2005.

“As we get older the lips age with the rest of the face, resulting in atrophy of the lips,” says Dr. Jacono.  “The lips thin out.  Tiny vertical lines appear and the graceful cupid's bow of the upper lip begins to flatten.” 

Others may have been born with thinner lips, and simply want a more defined cupid's bow and greater lip volume to balance the other features of their face. “Using this new technique, I can strategically refine, enlarge and reshape the lips to deliver a natural looking pout that is far more desirable than the ‘overstuffed’ look which currently plagues a host of high profile women from Hollywood to Park Avenue.”

What beautiful (fake) eyelashes you have

Eyelash transplantation was originally developed years ago as a reconstructive procedure for trauma victims, but just recently became a hot new "must-have" cosmetic surgery for image-conscious women. The surgery allows women to create Hollywood-style eyes (e.g., J Lo) by transplanting real hair follicles from the back of the scalp into the upper eyelids.

Only a handful of doctors around the world are qualified to perform eyelash transplantation. Dr. Alan Bauman is one of them. Recently featured on Extra and Access Hollywood for his pioneering work in this field, Dr. Bauman has seen the number of eyelash transplants he performs go up by 300% in the past few months.

Artefill®

Cosmetic injectable dermal fillers are extremely popular right now, however they are temporary, usually lasting about 6-9 months, meaning that repeated doctor visits are necessary to keep up the appearance. ArteFill is a  synthetic filler like the others but it doesn’t biodegrade over time. 

Three to six months following an ArteFill injection, the bovine collagen is gradually absorbed and replaced by the body’s own newly-created collagen, which forms to encapsulate the ArteFill microspheres in a natural biologic process.

ArteFill’s microspheres provide a permanent support structure beneath the skin to fill out wrinkles and to prevent further wrinkling in the treated areas.  The microspheres do not migrate nor are they degraded by the body, therefore, they remain surrounded by your natural collagen, providing permanent volume to keep your skin smooth and wrinkle-free in the areas you were treated.

Dr. Mirabile, a leading plastic surgeon and founder of Best Impressions Medical Spa and Surgical Skin Rejuvenation Center is one of the only plastic surgeons in the nation currently trained and approved to administer ArteFill. While offering a permanent solution to deep wrinkles and lines, there is some controversy surrounding Artefill.

Doctors such as Dr. Stuart Kaplan, a Beverly Hills cosmetic dermatologist and surgeon, raises the point that the face doesn’t hold a permanent position over time (hence one of the reasons we need cosmetic procedures), so what happens when the face shifts? Some patients have experienced lumps that don’t go away (after all, the procedure is permanent), so be sure to do your homework and thoughouly investigate your doctor before committing to having a procedure done.

LiveFill

LiveFill is live fat and fascia (a flat band of tissue below the skin that covers the underlying tissues and separates different layers of tissue). tissue that is used for filling in deep facial wrinkles and augmenting lips.  It is harvested from fatty areas of your body and placed in the target areas during a minor surgical procedure. According to Dr. Brent Moelleken, LiveFill is fully alive unlike fat injections, which are approximately 20% live tissue.  Estimated cost: $4,000 - $10,000.

Fraxel Laser

Fraxel is a second-generation, non-ablative skin renewal laser treatment that reaches dermal layers without damaging the surface skin. The laser goes beneath the skin’s surface to trigger new collagen production and regenerate healthier tissue that replaces damaged cells. The surface layer of skin remains unaffected by the new “fractional” laser technique, resulting in reduced healing time. 

Fraxel is designed to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, brown patches, and acne scars.  Fraxel is supposed to deliver the results of traditional, more ablative lasers but with a downtime of only a couple of days.“In the past, I have shied away from non-surgical treatments,

such as Thermage and CO2 lasers, because they did not yield results I would endorse,” he says.

“Fraxel is the first non-ablative laser procedure I will offer my patients because the technology is something I truly believe can meet expectations.

Juvederm

Fraxel provides excellent results alone, but accompanied with the other facial rejuvenation techniques I offer it enhances the overall outcome.” Another advantage of Fraxel is that it is safe on pigmented skin to allow

Asians, Hispanics, and African Americans to benefit as well. Dr. Babak Azizzadeh, a facial plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, actively practices and advocates Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing.

Juvederm is a dermatologic filler made of hyaluronic acid, the same substance in our joints that help them move more smoothly.  It recently received FDA approval for nasolabial folds and other wrinkle correction.

“It is good for patients who have vertical lip lines from aging and smoking, lip augmentation for patients who want a little more pout, or those whose lips have lost volume from aging, mild laugh line wrinkles and at the corners of the mouth,” says Dr. Diana Nguyen.  “It’s also great for patients who have sunken tear troughs.

“Juvederm works very well in combination of treatments to give the best results for patients.  For example, in combination with Botox and Thermage to the forehead, the eyes can appear more youthful from raising the brows subtlety, smoothing out fine lines and softening under eye circles.”

The benefits of juvederm include the fact that it is biodegradable, doesn't need skin testing, and lasts for an average of 6 months.  In fact, due to its cohesive nature, Juvederm lasts longer than Restylane and is easier to inject, and less painful to patients.  This is very good, because I personally don't believe in permanent fillers, since our skin is an organ that continues to  age and move with gravity.  A permanent filler may make a person's face look awkward, different, unnatural.

Juvederm is not for anyone who has had allergic reactions to any form of hyaluronic acid, including Restylane and the like.  Juvederm is not meant to correct deep wrinkles or restore large areas of volume loss.

Triple Crown Facial

Not all facials are the same or provide the same results--celebrities understand this tip well. Joanna Vargas, the highly respected senior aesthetician at the Tracie “Facialist to the Stars” Martyn Salon for the past five years, recently opened her own skin care studio on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan where she offers her signature anti-aging and anti-wrinkle Triple Crown facial, which combines treatment from a micro-current machine with the revolutionary healing and skin renewal powers of a hyperbaric oxygen treatment. 

“The micro-current actually stimulates the face muscles like a gym workout – which is why some of my clients refer to me as their ‘personal skin care trainer,” says Joanna.

The oxygen machine Vargas uses is brand new to the industry and advances the oxygen facial technique of years past. Infusing the skin with pure oxygen, green tea, hylaronic acid and Vitamin A, C and E serums hydrate and regenerate new skin cells, as well as promotes elastin and collagen production—in turn reducing lines and wrinkles.

For first-time treatment customers, Joanna always does one side of the face and then takes delight in showing the client the difference in the mirror.
“It is both exciting for me as an aesthetician as well as for the client,” Joanna says.  “Most people had no idea they could get their skin to look so youthful without going under the knife.”

Walk towards the light

I bet you never thought lightbulbs could help you look younger. Unlike those harmful tanning bed bulbs, LED (Light Emitting Diodes) treatments are beneficial.  LED treatments (also called LED Photo Rejuvenation and photofacials) consist of cold laser light therapy that rejuvenates the skin by producing collagen and new tissue. The best part? There’s no down time and can be done on your lunch break, which is great news for the woman on the go.

With no down time or discomfort, Osmotics LED treatments are offered at-counter in select Nordstrom stores or at your local Medi-spa.  Unlike micro-dermabrasion, lasers or chemical peels, LED treatments are non-invasive and offers instant results, although you may need a few to achieve optimum results. Osmotics LED Photo Rejuvenation stimulates the skin's fibroblasts to produce collagen and elastic proteins.  Unlike laser technology that relies on high-powered coherent light to create heat energy, LED triggers the body to convert light energy into cell energy without thermal injury to tissues.

Osmotics Cosmeceuticals Signature LED Treatments retail for $75 or a series of six treatments for $375 and are available at select Nordstrom and Lord & Taylor stores, visit the Osmotics website.

Know before you go

As more consumers look to define beauty, the need continues to grow for education on cosmetic surgery to ensure all patients are safe and in the right hands.

With so much information on cosmetic surgery floating around on the Internet (this article included), how do consumers know what's best? The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery is spearheading this patient education campaign to arm patients with the facts about cosmetic surgery, patient safety and the qualifications of practitioners so they can make informed decisions about cosmetic enhancement. The Be Wise About Beauty campaign offers consumers a bevy of resources at their fingertips, including information about specific procedures and an interactive ‘Beauty Monitor’ quiz that can help patients determine whether cosmetic surgery is the right choice.

The Web site is great, and is a resource your readers should know about. It cuts through all the clutter, and tells prospective patients exactly what they need to know when seeking cosmetic enhancement.

Here’s a rundown of some of the newest and most innovative minimally or non-invasive cosmetic procedures available right now at a doctor (or dermatologist or accupuncturist or esthetician) near you.

First it was healthy food; then came a push for sustainable living. Now even clothes are organic. It only makes sense that the products you put on your body are good for you too.

From shampoo to lipstick and perfume to face creams, you can now live an entirely all-natural existence (won’t you sleep better at night?)

Fragrance that does a body good

LAVANILA has introduced what they claim is “the World's Premier Healthy Fragrance.” The concept is novel: instead of loading fragrances with harsh synthetic ingredients that dry and damage skin, they use healthy ingredients that nurture and condition the body with each spray. In a time when everyone’s concerned about global warming (er, global climate change), and toxic chemicals, this product launch couldn’t be any timelier.

LAVANILA's sensual vanilla blends are meant to “captivate the senses” but they also nurture the skin with a healthy dose of pure essential oils, 100 percent natural botanicals, and super antioxidant technology—so it’s good for you and the environment (Al Gore would be proud).

Plant those smackers

When you think of corn you might picture neighborhood barbeques and roudy children with corn on the cob dribble running down their chins. You probably never thought about wearing it on your lips. CARGO invites you to change how you think about corn, an abundant renewable resource. PlantLove™ Botanical Lipstick is made entirely out of environmentally friendly corn. 

The manufacturing process emits less greenhouse gases, which many scientists believe to be the major cause of “global warming”. The outer carton is made of flower paper embedded with real flower seeds, so all you have to do is moisten, plant, and wait for a bouquet of wild flowers to grow! Now that’s using the “whole animal” if you know what I mean. Even if you don’t buy into the global warming theory, you’ll love the smooth and silky texture, which is infused with Orchid Complex™ and meadowfoam seed oil, jojoba and shea butter. Plus, CARGO is donating $2 from the sale of every shade to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Five of the PlantLove lipsticks were designed by your favorite celebrities:

-Evangeline: Evangeline Lily
-Lindsay: Lindsay Lohan
-Maria: Maria Menounos
-Mariska: Mariska Hargitay
-Sarah: Sarah Chalke

Somebody CARES

Stella McCartney is well known for her stance on the environment and cruelty-free products (oh yeah, her dad’s famous too), and now she’s come out with her own line of certified organic skincare. CARE by Stella McCartney is a luxury line skincare treatments formulated with 100 percent organic active ingredients and zero percent petrochemicals or silicones. Examples of products include her Purifying Foaming Cleanser that not only washes away makeup and impurities, it’s designed to leave your skin looking fresh, soft, and radiant through the organic extracts hawthorn and horsetail. Her Toning Floral Water the antioxidant green tea and linden blossom extracts to tone and soothe—and help enhance the action of the 5 Benefits Moisturizers. The Nourishing Elixir blends natural oils, and a mix of soybean, nigella sativa, and musk rose rich in omega 3 and essential fatty acids to help firm and revitalize the skin.

Lancôme turns eco-chic

L’oreal owned cosmetics giant Lancome has announced its eco-chic initiatives for 2007—initiatives that promise to help combat the damage done by the environment to humans and help prevent damage to the environment by humans.

One of the most exciting initiatives is the launch in June 2007 of Primordiale Cell Defense, which focuses on neutralizing 99 percent of the damaging free radicals caused by UV exposure, pollution, and temperature extremes. An integral part of the eco-chic program is a strategic partnership with Carbonfund.org, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public about climate change. In the second half of 2007, the four Lancôme boutiques located in New York’s Upper West Side; Short Hills, NJ; Dallas, TX; and Santa Clara, CA, will go Carbonfree.

The new herbal experience

Everybody remembers those annoying-slightly uncomfortable Herbal Essence commercials where the actor who uses the product enjoys it a little too much. When you use these new shampoos by Vogue International, you may be tempted to express your delight. Fortunately you’ll be in the privacy of your shower, so feel free to let out a squeal of delight. The shampoos, appropriately called Organix, feature simply delicious scents like Soft & Silky Vanilla, which combines smoothing Tahitian vanilla bean oils with silk amino proteins to strengthen and seal the hair’s cuticles. Nourishing Coconut Milk Anti-breaking Serum will keep fly-aways and split ends at bay, and make you smell good enough to eat (be warned, strangers may stand a little closer to you). All of the products in their five collections are sulfate free and contain active organic ingredients. See, you don’t have to suffer in the name of saving the planet!

What are your favorite environment-friendly/good for you products? Don't keep them a secret, share the love!

~A. Covington for Belisi  Fashions

Sure it’s winter and you’ve got the doldrums. But now’s the perfect time to sauce up your look. Spring is right around the corner and along with the vibrant looks seen on the runways, hair is getting more interesting too. Turn that Bohemian mop into a showcase of texture and volume with some bangs and layers.

Now before you whip out those scissors and start hacking away—or give your stylist carte blanche to snip and clip, here are a few things to consider if you’re thinking about jumping on the bangs bandwagon.

Christopher Montoya from Tonic II Salon in Las Vegas says:

Bangs are hot! Okay, we get that. Figuring out which type of bang works for your face shape is the first step.

Types of bangs:

1. Asymmetrical bangs: Starts at brow level and goes longer on one side. This gives a soft and sexy look. Celebrities wearing asymmetrical bangs are Carmen Electra, Nicole Ritchie and Lindsay Lohan.

2. Square, blunt bangs: Compliments cuts below the chin. This gives a strong, edgy look and is more suited to people with strong jaw lines or a square face, such as Nelly Furtado.

3. Rounded, highly textured bangs: Great for diamond-shaped faces, such as Sandra Bullock.

Montoya also recommends headbands for all hairstyles. “Headbands are very in right now,” he says. “They should be worn in a retro style, a throwback to the 60s, with a bump on the crown and long ponytail, or slicked back hair with a thin band. Headbands should always be worn on the high point of the head. Scarves as headbands are also in.”

Or, for a hot summerstyle Montoya says to try a full scarf for a bohemian look, which is light and easy for hot summer days. Look at Nicole Ritchie or Paris Hilton as examples for this look.

Having bangs means more hair maintanance (but what’s a little work for a great look?) “After getting a cut, you need to use good products to build texture, shine and hold,” says Montoya who recommends the bumble & bumble line of products.

~Amy N. Covington for BelisiRx

At the 22nd Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival premiere of her new movie "Factory Girl" Sienna Miller plays up her sparkling baby blues with some charcoal liner and dark shadow. Find out how to do the smokey thang the right awy and look smokin' for your next night out.

Get Sienna Miller's look!

There’s a fine line between sultry and scary when it comes to eye makeup. You want seductress not Cirque de Soleil performer.

First things first: Make sure your eyelids are clean and oil-free (stay away from oil-based removers) and dry. Next, apply a sheer powder, which provides a foundation for color and keeps your shadow from creasing.

Now get ready to paint your canvas. Before you apply shadow, line your eyes with a dark liner such as gray, black or brown (or if you’re going for a fun look, use violet or deep blue). Next move on to your lower lash line but use a slightly lighter touch—and use a smudger to create that sexy smoky look.

Next, start applying your shadow—starting with a neutral cream-based shadow as your first layer of eye color, then use a dark powder color (match to your liner, so either gray, black, brown, violet or deep blue).   

Then with an eyeshadow brush, fill your lids in with color from the lashline to just under the crease. Prepare lashes with Napoleon Perdis Madame Lash Prep from Saks Fifth Avenue and finish with a finish your look with dramatic mascara like Chanel's Sculpting Mascara Extreme Length-Fine Lashes. Now you’re ready for your close-up.