Permanently Beautiful

The new summer movie, “My Sister’s Keeper,” puts out there on the big screen what people look like when they undergo chemotherapy.  In the film, the older of two girls in a family has leukemia and the younger sues to stop having to donate her body parts to keep her sister alive. The sister with the illness is realistically shown with no hair, eyelashes or eyebrows.

As often supportive friends and family do, the mother in the movie, played by Cameron Diaz, shaves her own hair so she will be bald like her cancer-stricken daughter. But she still is Cameron Diaz and still looks beautiful. She still has her striking eyebrows and eyelashes. People undergoing chemotherapy don’t. And it can make the ordeal even more devastating. Especially for women who in our culture continue to have a premium placed on their looks.

Permanent makeup can help give anyone facing chemotherapy – a child, man or woman – the chance to feel better about themselves when they look in the mirror. And they deserve every bit of feeling better that they can get. Applied by a professional, permanent makeup can give them eyebrows and eyes that help them look like their former selves.

It may be better for someone who has cancer to have permanent makeup applied before chemotherapy or in the early stages of treatment to reduce stress and promote healing. A doctor’s release should be provided. Alternatively, with approval of the physician, permanent makeup can be applied in the midst of a course of chemotherapy during an off-week when no chemo drugs are administered. Advance approval of the doctor is recommended for all attendees before enrolling in the clinic.

When you’re traveling, it doesn’t make sense to pack your whole makeup bag. Here’s how the experts travel light.

When it comes to packing up a beauty bag for a few days or a week away, no one does it better than a makeup artist. These experts are always on the go and can be found on desert islands with just a tube of gloss and still manage to make someone look gorgeous. How do they do it?  Basics, say the experts at MAC. You’ll need a few basics such as mascara, lip gloss and a base for the skin, then everything else should be dual-purpose.

A good moisturizer is essential, so choose one that you can wear a little or a lot of depending on what your skin needs at any given time. You can also mix moisturizer with your usual foundation or concealer to create a lightweight base that’s more comfortable and beats the parched, dry air of an airplane. For lips, mix lip balm with lip color to create a variety of textures from ultra sheer for day to more intense for the evening.

Waterproof mascara is another favorite. It’s perfect in all climates. Also creamy blushers to give skin a beautiful radiance.

Also make sure to schedule an appointment with an experienced permanent makeup professional several weeks before your departure date.  That’s the best way to lighten your travel makeup bag and still look fabulous 24/7 on your vacation getaway.

We all know that tanning is a no-no. Today’s tan is tomorrow’s wrinkled skin, not to mention skin cancer. But we all still want that bronze-y summer glow. Here’s how the celebrities do it. And you just know that they’re adding permanent make-up for that extra oomph.

Coppery Lips

A glimmering bronze lip looks young and fresh, but still elegant. Paired with tousled hair like Kate Hudson’s, it’s unfussy and perfectly thrown together.

Golden Cheeks

Strategically placed bronzer enhances Eva Longoria Parker’s delicate cheekbones while focusing light on her almond-shaped eyes. “When used like blush, bronzer adds structure,” says celebrity makeup artist Rachel Goodwin. “Neutral shades on eyes and mouth create a modern, monochromatic finish.”

Bronze Lids

Leighton Meester’s deep brown eyes and peaches-and-cream complexion get an instant boost from shimmering 24kt lids. Rose-gold tones are warm and sensual. It’s a shade that brings out highlights and complements this season’s stylish summer dresses.

Faux Tan

The ultimate bronzed bombshell, Jennifer Lopez has perfected an all-over glow. To get the look, apply color in one sweeping motion over brow bones, cheeks, and jawline. It leaves a soft, refined, halo-like finish.

Radiant Decolletage

Celebrity make-up artists agree. Jessica Biel nails this flawless look. How to do it? Maintain uniform color above and below the neck, then add dimension by highlighting the collarbone with a hint of shimmer.

Gleaming Limbs

Whether or not your arms and legs are as long and fit as Charlize Theron’s, there’s no arguing that they’ll look even more toned when sun-kissed. One shade deeper than your natural skin tone is perfect for a night out without overdoing it.

Finding a humidity-proof hairdo for a summer wedding can be a challenge. Get inspired by the gorgeous red-carpet styles of stars like Becki Newton and Eva Longoria Parker and find a ‘do that will keep you looking picture perfect from the walk down the aisle through the reception send-off.

A lot of time and detail went into choosing your dress, ring, flowers, and even your hairstyle. Don’t let your makeup take a backseat. Take the time to go through magazines and pull out makeup styles that you really like, even tear out the ones you really hate.  It could be how a certain feature is played up, or that great lipstick color, or how the skin glows, or even how they used way too much eyeliner. All this is easy to say and show with pictures. It helps tremendously to show you what you like with pictures rather than endlessly describing it. This gives anyone helping you, whether it’s a make-up artist or your best friend or a salesperson at department store counter, the best way to see what you like and don’t like. Remember, two people’s ideas of pink lipstick could be completely different. There is a lot of truth in the adage that says “a picture is worth a thousand words.” It really gives a lot more information with a visual sense.

With all the variables, getting permanent makeup will relieve you of some of the nerve-wracking guesswork. Permanent eyeliner, lip liner and eyebrows can go a long way toward making the big day really picture perfect.

What do Ann Kournikova, Mia Hamm, Steffi Graff, Amanda Beard and Sasha Cohen have in common?  They’re all celebrity athletes – and they’re all gorgeous.

How do they look so good when they’re swinging a tennis racket, kicking a soccer ball, swimming laps or doing figure eights?

For one thing, their sports keep their shapes in good shape. But they’re making other smart choices, too.

Consider athletic hairstyles. Athletic hairstyles are typically hairstyles that allow the hair to be kept out of the face of the athlete, while still maintaining some style. Athletic hairstyles can be long, medium, or short to extremely short.

The most common athletic hairstyles worn by female athletes are typically ponytails and other pulled back styles. These styles are easy to maintain and can be dressed up almost instantly for going from the gym to the dinner table with a quick shower between.

Another common athletic hairstyle is the bob, since it is easy to pull back in a hair band or other restraint. This style is quick and easy to change and care for. The bob, a classic, is considered one of the most versatile hairstyles ever. It can be dressed down by leaving it plain, made athletic with a headband or dressed up by adding a jeweled bobby-pin.

Hair that is too short to swing into the face is also popular with female athletes. These hairstyles allow for some hair, but not so much that it gets in the way. Often, when off the field, the hair is spiked or slicked back to provide a more hip look.

Permanent makeup can also be part of a female athlete’s bag of tricks. They can always look gorgeous when the cameras close in. And with permanent makeup they have no worries about makeup running from sweat and chlorine which not only looks icky, but can interfere with their vision and cost them a win.

Hollywood stars just love to strut their stuff live onstage on Broadway. We’re always dazzled by the sheer star power lighting up the Great White Way these days. And that’s part of what makes watching the Tony Awards show so much fun.

Of course, Ann Hathaway, who’s doing Shakespeare in the Park this summer, looked darling at this year’s Tonys. But we were impressed by the glam of the more mature divas. Susan Sarandon looked fabulous. Edie Falco, Marcia Gay Harden, Hope Davis, Liza Minelli, Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda and Jessica Lange also all looked terrific.

How do they do it?  And can we do it, too?  Yes, we can. Here’s how:

We may be tempted to grab the tweezers and start plucking every time we spot a gray hair!  But there’s a quicker, healthier option. Gently blend grays and prevent that telltale line of demarcation by applying hair color just on trouble spots and blending gently. Insider trick: Grays can be stubborn, so apply with a fresh toothbrush to thoroughly coat grays around the roots.

If diminished vision and a less steady hand make it hard to apply eyeliner and pencil in brows, permanent makeup can save the day – or night. Especially with brows turning patchy and eyelashes thinning with age.
Permanent eyeliner gives the appearance of thicker fuller lashes. Beautifully shaped, colored and arched brows can take years off an aging face.

A more youthful appearance can help women over 50 feel confident, look fit and polished and keep a competitive edge in both the dating and job markets. Remember, each of us deserves a Tony Award because, as Shakespeare said, all the world’s a stage.

Smoother clearer skin may be high on every woman’s beauty wish list. But finding the time to see a dermatologist is often low on her to-do list, especially given the expense. Fortunately, better skin has become easier to achieve at home. A number of new do-it-yourself products (some formulated by top doctors) – from microdermabrasion treatments to chemical peels to skin lighteners – have hit drugstore shelves and department-store counters.

Before trying any, it’s important to learn how these treatments work, how they benefit your skin, and how they might save you a buck or two and time in the waiting room. Consider it a beauty wish come true.
Microdermabrasion can help treat acne, clogged pores, surface dryness and uneven skin tone.

Many companies now offer powerful exfoliating scrubs, creams and gadgets that work like pricier in-office treatments.

Weekly at-home microdermabrasion treatments don’t go as deep as the doctor can but still offer noticeable results.

Chemical peels are good for oily skin, hyperpigmentation, and fine lines.

At-home chemical peel solutions are much milder, typically containing only 10 percent hydroxy acids compared to 70 percent in the strongest doctor’s solution. But when used on a regular basis to exfoliate, the results will be clearly visible. Pores will look a little tighter and skin will glow.

Saving by using at-home versions of these treatments means you can definitely afford to try permanent make-up. Unlike facials, peels and other beauty treatments, permanent make-up gives instantly dramatic long-lasting results but can’t be done at home – always go to a trained professional.

If you haven’t used a product or a tool in a month, toss it, says celebrity makeup artist Mally Roncal.  Ditto for multiples of similar colors. Instead of carrying around two, three or 10 pink glosses, keep only the one you reach for most.

There are no expiration dates on makeup, but experts advise to estimate the age of a product from the date it was opened. Toss any makeup that has developed a funny smell, because that indicates bacteria, dermatologists say.

Bacteria can set in as makeup deteriorates and cause an infection. If the bacteria enters the eye, conjunctivitis, also known as pink-eye can develop.

While throwing out unused makeup may seem wasteful, ending up in the doctor’s office with an infection can be very time consuming and possibly painful. Yet a survey by the American College of Optometrists found that two-thirds of all women used eye makeup that was more than two years old.

If you want to make a fresh start, experts recommend packing these essentials:  a double-duty cheek and lip stain, black eyeliner to transition from day to night, mascara, concealer and an eyelash curler.

You can really de-clutter your make-up bag by getting yourself inked with permanent make-up.  No more need to carry around eye-liner, brow pencil, lip liner pencil and lip gloss. Talk about lightening up.  And you’ll no longer have to possibly risk car accidents by swiveling car side mirrors and rearview mirrors to the angle you need to reapply your make-up. With permanent make-up you’re always good to go.

Summer’s just around the corner. And along with summer fun comes the heat and humidity that can wreak havoc with your hair. Here are a few great summer hair care ideas we culled from places like InStyle:

Frizz-Free Curls

 If you’re lucky enough to have natural curls like Beyonce, flaunt them. Avoid frizz by simply adding an anti-frizz serum to your morning hair routine. Then gently scrunches the hair while blow drying on low with a diffuser. Don’t comb it out! Let it be natural and sexy. 

Long-Lasting Braids

 Drew Barrymore and Charlize Theron recently joined the long list of stars sporting braids this season. Braids look cute straight down or pinned up. No matter how you wear them, braids will hold better and longer if you start out with wet hair, use a stronger gel than normal and spray with a little hair spray.

Straight Hair

 Celebrity hairstylists say the key to straight hair in the summer is a ceramic wet-to-dry flat iron. First, apply a protecting spray to damp hair and then use the iron. The iron helps lock in moisture and fight flyaways. Bonus tip: After using the iron, apply the spray again on dry hair to help protect against the sun’s UV rays.

 Summer beauty is no sweat with permanent make-up. It won’t melt away in the heat, dissolve into your sunscreen or disappear in the water.  With luscious lips, gorgeous eyebrows and defined eyes, you’ll be totally hot but in a good way.

Scarlett Johansson has them. Jessica Simpson and Serena Williams, too. What?  Allergies.

 If your allergies are acting up, it’s natural to want to crawl back under the covers and take it easy. But that’s not an option for celebrities who want to stay on the public radar.

 Your nose is running, you’re sneezing a lot, eyes are watery and red - and the spotlight’s on you.  It’s not easy. But trying to focus on your job whether it’s in front of a movie camera, a live audience or just your computer screen can be challenging when you’re coping with allergies.

 It’s also challenging to try to look your best. Irritating allergy symptoms can affect the skin around the eyes and nose. Constantly blowing the nose and wiping eyes can lead to sore, chapped or dehydrated skin. Other allergies such as eczema can also flare up when hay fever starts.

 Here are some beauty tips for allergy season:

·        If skin is sensitive or prone to other allergies then be careful about which brands are used. Try new products before buying and seek expert advice about which brands are safe to use with allergies in mind.

·        Chapped and dehydrated skin will sting when product is applied. This is because the surface of the skin is sore, rather than being the result of an allergic reaction. Balms can help to minimize this and repair skin, especially those with naturally soothing ingredients.

·        Minimize make-up if eyes are itchy and puffy. Anything which might irritate further such as a kohl pencil or glitter eye shadow is to be avoided. Consider permanent make-up as your perfect year round solution and you’ll always look good, even when your allergies are acting up.