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 

Blue Crush

Hold on to your leg warmers and crank up the George Michael, vibrant blues and purples are making their way into a mascara tube near you. This spring is all about bold colors for blouses, dresses, trench coats, shoes, handbags and makeup. While playful and daring, turning up the color volume can lead some gals down the wrong path. Fortunately, these colorful tubes go for the subtle factor.

Today’s color mascaras create a surprising brightening effect without looking like you’re trying out for Flash Dance II. Check them out:

Bourjois Volume Clubbing Mascara in Disco Blue.

Almay Intense I’Color Thickening Mascara in Purple Amethyst

Max Factor Vivid Impact Mascara in Blushing Blue

Eye Fly Lash Extender Mascara Fly In Blue

Avon Super Shock Mascara in Navy

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

It's a New Year and a new you! It's time to take your beauty regimen seriously. If you haven't had time to formulate your beauty resolutions for 2008, we've done it for you:

I resolve to take care of my hair

It’s not pleasant to think about but our hair becomes a dead protein as soon as it emerges from our scalp, which means we need to take extra good care of it to ensure it continues to look shiny and lustrous as long as possible. Styling tools, harsh water, chemicals and products wreak havoc on your hair. Make a resolution to take better care of it and you’ll enjoy a New Year with fewer bad hair days, guaranteed.

I will wash my face every night

We’ve all done it. You stay out late or fall asleep in front of the TV, and the last thing you want to do is get up and go through your beauty regimen. But playing hooky with this critical step could have unpleasant repercussions, even if you only miss one face washing. Not only will makeup and moisturizer clog your pores, all of the environmental debris that’s landed on your skin throughout the day will … you guessed it … stay there! Think acne, wrinkles and dull, lifeless skin. Who wants that? Make sure to wash your face every night and on those nights when it’s too much work—use a one-use all-in-one makeup remover and moisturizer.

I will wear sunscreen everyday

We’ve been pounding this in for years now. Sun exposure leads to premature aging and skin cancer. Even on cloudy days, you need to wear an SPF to protect your skin’s elasticity and collagen supply. Think about it this way, it’s easier (and less expensive) to slather on a little sunscreen then it is to go through painful, unsightly and costly laser treatments down the road.

I will clean up my makeup drawer

Is your makeup drawer a mess? Broken eyeshadows and a scattering of lipglosses and makeup brushes? Get it under control! You’ll feel better and avoid frantic searches at the last minute for that new crème blush you bought. Invest in some pretty cosmetic bags to keep your beauty goods organized. And while you’re at it, get rid of old makeup applicators and containers. Dermatologists recommend throwing out beauty product after one year because we can transfer bacteria from their fingers to jars of moisturizers and other cosmetics.

I will get more adventurous

It’s a new year, a new you. Try some bolder eyeshadows, lipsticks and why not try a new fragrance? There are many options when it comes to rich, pure pigments to try, and flirty, sexy and feminine perfumes.

I will stop smoking

If you smoke, it’s not too late to stop. You know smoking is terrible for your lungs, makes you smell bad and violates the air space of everyone around you. But another great reason to give up smoking is to slow down the aging process. You can stave off those vertical lines that show up around the mouth, and the crows feet around the eyes and sallow, dry skin just by giving up a dangerous and all-around unsexy and uncool habit.

I will stress less and get more sleep

Being stressed out is never fun but if there was ever a reason to try to relax, it’s to keep your skin looking its best. It’s believe that psychological stress may impair the skin’s barrier function, which keeps bacteria out and water in. In fact, some studies show that people with chronic stress heal more slowly. Lack of sleep and stress can lead to skin disorders and illness, not to mention undereye circles and bags. Get to bed girl!

To help your skin get back on track, give it the detox treatment by Skyn Iceland.

~A. Covington for Belisi Fashions

Get a party girl glow

While all the late night parties and yummy holiday cocktails are fun, they can take a toll on your face. With New Year’s celebrations right around the corner, a little preparation will help you save face—literally.

Start with a little prep work. A good mineral mask (I like the Astara Activated Sea Mineral Mask) will revitalize skin to give it a healthy, radiant glow.

Before applying makeup, apply a hydrating foundation primer, like Laura Mercier’s Hydrating Foundation Primer. Make your foundation last by mixing it with waterproof sunscreen. It’s meant to withstand hot temps, water and persperation. So if you plan on hitting the dance floor, you don’t want your foundation to run.

Dramatic eyes without the Hassle 

It’s New Year’s after all and you want to do up your eyes in dramatic fashion. But at the end of the night you don’t want to have to deal with heavy eyeliner and smoky shadow. Fake eyelashes add drama without the hassle. Just pop them off at the end of the night, and you won’t have raccoon eyes in the morning. Mac Cosmetics #2 fake eyelashes  will do the trick. 

Get Sun Kissed

A creamy mousse blush will remain flawless for hours of fun. Try Magique Mousse Blush by Lancome for a radiant look all night long. The orange-y fake-n-bake look is out; warm up the scene with subtle sun-kissed shoulders, arms and legs with Caudalie Fresh Complexion Tinted Moisturizer

Party Time

When you’re ready to hit the party, make sure you’re night ends with a bang instead of a bust. Pace yourself by spacing out drinks every hour, alternating with a full glass of water in between. A drunk, out-of-control is not sexy—or safe. Stick to light-colored drinks too like vodka and soda, as darker spirits can contain impurities, which lead to hangover headaches.

Make sure you eat plenty of food to slow the speed alcohol reaches your bloodstream. But don’t snack on everything within reach. Avoid starchy and salty foods, which cause water retention. Go for lean proteins (chicken, shrimp and salmon) and complex carbs like carrots but avoid sauces that are high in sugar (shrimp cocktail is a common culprit).

Keep your makeup looking fresh with a compact-sized cosmetics palette like Benefit’s 10 Palette that includes eye shadow, lipstick, blush and two bronzers. Add instant hydration with a facial spritzer; keep a bottle of Clinique Moisture Surge Face Spray Thirsty Skin Relief in your purse for a refreshing skin reviver.

Bed-time Rituals for the Partied Out

After a hard night of partying, you might not feel up to your complete beauty regimen. Before you head out for the night, stock your nightstand with some one-use, all-in-one makeup remover wipes. La Fresh Eyes & Lips Make-Up Remover easily removes the toughest waterproof mascara, eye liner, eye shadow, and lipstick. Keep your

and a bottle of water and some aspirin next to the bed for easy access.

The Morning After

No matter what, a late night of partying will do some damage—but you can mitigate it by taking care of your skin the next day. Rejuvenate your skin with Dr. Brandt’s Microdermabrasion In A Jar, and drinks tons of water!

While you consider yourself a woman of the world--someone who changes with the times--some things should remain sacred. Like happy hour specials and the Nordstrom half-yearly sale. And your favorite shade of lipstick. But even though you love Saucy Vixen #3 doesn’t mean it’s immune to the uncaring, cold hand of Discontinuation.

You know that sinking feeling when you ask the associate behind the cosmetics counter for your favorite lipstick, gloss or eye shadow, only to hear it’s no longer available. At first you’re shocked. This can’t be! Then you take it personally. Don’t they know how much you love this shade and how much you were counting on it? Next is self doubt. Am I the only one who bought this color? Am I a misfit? There must be others out there like me!

Hold on to your lipstick case ladies. You are not alone. And you don’t have to just sit there and take it either. Three Custom Color Specialists have re-created discontinued makeup including lipcolor, eyeshadow, blush and more. If you can’t find your favorite discontinued shade you can send them a sample and they will re-formulate it for you! Now that’s a service we can all use! So stop sunking and take action.

::A.Covington for Belisi Fashions

Pamper yourself and find breast cancer at the same time. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, Sephora has teamed up with companies like Shiseido, Kinerase, DuWop and Bare Escentuals to offer a slew of pink ribbon products that “give back”. A portion of the profits from each purchase will support breast cancer research.

Here's a sampling of the pink ribbon produts at Sephora.com:

Shiseido The Makeup Hydro-Powder Eye Shadow in Bare Pink

Kinerase Ultimate Night Moisturizer

Sephora Super Shimmer Lip Gloss in Forever Pink

Smashbox BCA Blushing Pink Fusion Soft Lights & Brush Set

BVLGARI Rose Essentielle

DuWop BCA Purse Your Lips

Sephora BCA Pop-Up Travel Brush

Bare Escentuals Pink Passion

See all of the pink ribbon products and buy them at Sephora.com

Who doesn’t like getting more for less? I discovered—or rather I decided to try—bareMinerals about 4 months ago and I’m hooked. Mineral makeup is where it’s at. And why not? I’d rather not clog my pores with chemicals and dyes, wouldn’t you? Get this 9-piece makeup kit only at Sephora. You’ll get mineral eyeshadow, blush, mascara, lip gloss and makeup brushes in a cute cosmetic bag, all for only $59 (a $145 value).

:: A. Covington for Belisi Fashions

We’re girls, and girls have stuff. From facial cleaners to foundation to eyebrow gel to moisurizer. And we need cool cosmetic cases to store all of our stuff. 

Vera Bradley Large Bow Cosmetic  $34

Love the handbags or hate ‘em, the cosmetic bags are kinda cute. Some of them are lined with vinyl on the inside. Overall, they’re sturdy and hide all those smudges and smears from makeup and creams.

Available in many colors and patterns
VeraBradley.com

MAC- $35

Three soft-sided rectangular makeup bags that fit into one. Constructed of lightweight nylon with Italian vinyl detail for easy cleaning, and it stores flat (making it great for traveling
MacCosmetics.com

Bobbi Brown brush bags $30-35
bobbibrowncosmetics.com

Cris Notti Blue Kimono Cosmetic Bag $58

The perfect size to hold your daily makeup regimen. Small enough of it inside an oversized handbag.

CrisNotti.com

Cris Notti Tangerine Cosmetic Dome $30
CrisNotti.com

Japonesque Folding Folio $35.95

Changes to perfectly fit your travel needs to keep you on the go. Each of the three zippered pouches has a clear window to show you exactly what you're carrying.  Simply remove any or all of them to create the right-sized folio for short-to-medium trips.  Each carry--all pouch is perfect for those short trips where you only need a few travel essentials.

Folica.com/Japonesque

LESLIE Bottle Bag $70

Weekend trip to the shore? Transatlantic journey across the pond? Make sure your lotions and potions make it unscathed (along with the rest of your stuff). With two clear bottles, a soap dish, toothbrush holder, loofah and mirror included, this all-in-one bag is fully equipped for beauty on-the-go. Available in other colors and patterns. Complete sets available.

StephanieJohnson.com

Lucinda Tab Cosmetic Bag $54

This cosmetic case comes fully equipped with special brush pockets, inner zip-pockets, and a pullout pouch. Great for a weekend getaway! Available in Chocolate Flower.

Picketfenceoakmont.com

Betseyville Geo Cosmetic Case $39

Fully-lined printed Betseyville Cosmetic case decorated with studs at the straps and a logo tag at the front, with large zippered pockets at the top and bottom. Also includes a large pullout zippered pouch that features a small mirror.

UrbanOUtfitters.com

mark Expandable Cosmetic Case $12

Sometimes you just need more room for your makeup brushes and utensils. No need to get a new brush bag, just expand it! Pretty darn clever.

Avon.com

Marc Jacobs Quilted leather cosmetics case $295

For all-out luxury, I love this black patchwork leather cosmetics case with gold zip opening across top, with Marc Jacobs designer embossed plaque on the front.

Net-A-porter.com

:: A. Covington for Belisi Fashions

Michael Kors Island Breast Cancer Research Cosmetic Bag $38

Help find a cure: five percent of proceeds from this makeup bag will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

:: A. Covington for Belisi Fashions

Ask any woman what beauty item she can't live without and many will say mascara. You can get away without everything else but mascara. It adds depth and intensity to the most subtle features. I really like Diorshow Black Out Mascara. The regular Diorshow gets the most rave reviews, and it definitely separates each lash, and enlongates and thickens lashes but I've found that it dries out quickly and flakes on my face after long wear. Black Out, on the other hand, is gel-based and a much richer black. It doesn't flake and it lasts all day and night. I love the extra depth it gives my peepers.

:: A. Covington for Belisi Fashions

bareVitamins Skin Rev-er Upper

I know, I know. How many potions, lotions and serums can you put on your face? I've tried a lot of elixirs and concoctions and this is one product you can't afford to skip--especially if your skin tends to be dry and acne prone. This lightweight formula is worn under your moisturizer and foundation. It rejuvenates your complexion like a daily multivitamin supplement with the added benefits of botanicals, and glycolic and salicylic acids to prepare skin for flawless application. The glycolic acid helps with skin turnover (important for keeping those pores free and clear) and the salicylic acid helps keep breakouts at bay.

Today's Belisi Beauty Bag is full of free goodies and hot new products!

Ulta Promotions: Free shipping on orders over $50 Sept. 9-29, get a $3.50 coupon, enter to win a $1,000 Ulta shopping spree

Free mini Lip Tint in Posey with $85 Bobbi Brown order (online only).

Free Deluxe Sample DiorShow Mascara with purchase at Sephora.com; enter promo code: THEBEST.

The smoky eye is the hot look for fall. Mac Cosmetic new Smoke Signals makeup now available online

Shop for a cause: beauty products that support breast cancer awareness and research

Beautiful is something different to everyone. But one common theme when it comes to our personal appearance is that most of us need a little assistance. That's not to say that we want to load up on products that could make us look worse by clogging our pores or drying our skin out.

Belisi Beauty Picks are products that I've personally tried that I've found to have some amazing quality. I'd like to hear about products that have helped other women look their best. Maybe it's an out of this world conditioner that prevents split ends or a mascara that turns your eyes into showstoppers. Whatever it is, tell me about it!

This week's Beauty Pick is Shu Uemura High Performance Balancing Cleansing Oil--Enriched

It seems a little counterintuitive that an oil could help clear up problem skin. But it works.  I was cursed with a touch of stress-induced adult acne that popped up at the worst times (it's hard for people to take you seriously when you have a big red zit on your chin!). I read about Shu Uemura's balancing oil and decided to give it a try. It's a two-in-one cleanser and makeup remover that helps maintain your skin's integral balance while thoroughly getting rid of impurities that lead to breakouts. What's so great about it is that it leaves skin smooth and radiant without stripping skin of its natural oils--and without being "oily". I've gotten a lot of compliments on my skin since I started using it, and no more breakouts!

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

Sienna Miller Gets Smokey
Originally uploaded by peterbelisi.

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!