The first [official] unretouched makeup ad!

In a world dominated by completely random acts attracting unprecedented amounts of free publicity via the inter-webs (for example, please consider that phenom Justin Beiber was discovered on YouTube), every company is vying for the popularity (and financial gain) that comes with a marketing campaign going "viral". 

Despite the many failed attempts, it is nice to see established companies attempting to actually produce "viral" material that is beneficial and relevant to their brand, and the masses.

As our lives become more and more computerized, there are pros-- increased ease for keeping in touch with people, getting news, making on the spot restaurant decisions, etc., ... and there are cons. 

With the proliferation of HD televisions, and rampantly air-brushed magazine and beauty ads, the expectation for a perfect appearance has increased to unattainable proportions. An increase in self-consciousness about one's appearance, combined with standards that can never be met (no normal person walks out of their house looking as perfectly air-brushed, styled, and coiffed as the Kardashian clan would make it appear), means a verified financial boon for the beauty industry: demand keeps increasing and can never fully be sated. 

It is in this vein that Makeup Forever's new campaign is so refreshing; even though the model is undoubtedly a natural beauty, a notary has certified that the ad below has NOT been retouched at all.

Despite the beauty/perfection of the model's face, look at the arm holding the camera-- that skin actually looks real?! And under her eyes? Faint traces of dark-circles can still be detected... It is so nice though, to look at a make-up ad, and see results that you could actually be able to recreate on your own face. (A stark contrast to the "Evolution of Beauty" video that Dove soap created a few years ago, which documented the photo-shopping that takes place to turn an ordinary girl into a billboard model-- before and after images shown at the top left of this article.)

It's a brilliant concept, and one that Makeup For Ever is surely hoping will go "viral". Promoting the results a real person can achieve is an ideal way of introducing Makeup For Ever's new line of HD Invisible Cover Foundation, which is meant to emphasize that women can look flawless without digital enhancements... they just need to use this foundation.

Another plus of a world filled with Social Media is that companies are being forced to be more transparent and honest with consumers. As this goes on, hopefully beauty expectations can come back down to a level that is realistic. Makeup For Ever received wonderful praise for this campaign, and hopefully other makeup companies will follow suit to prove what their products can actually do.

Have you noticed any other campaigns that celebrate real, natural appearances? If so, which ones? (I'm also partial to Levi's "All asses were not created equal" campaign...)

Natural* ways to get rid of cellulite

Hate to be the bearer of bad news... but as of right here... right now, there is NO proven way to getting rid of the sexist Cellulite affliction. (Life can be so unfair: despite rarely occurring in males, cellulite is estimated to effect 80-90% of females throughout their aging process.)

BUT before you leave disgruntled about being brought to this article by dubious means, please let me explain: while there are no methods of getting rid of cellulite, there are some natural ways you can go about minimizing the appearance. (And by natural, I mean methods of minimizing cellulite that do not involve surgery, lasers, or injections.) 

These simple tricks can help your skin look smoother, tighter, and younger: 

1. Build muscle mass: Counter to what you would initially think, skinny people can still have cellulite, because cellulite is made up of fat. If a body is thin, but has no muscle mass, the fat on their bodies can still manifest as cellulite. A simple remedy to this is to add some strength-training exercises into your daily schedule, especially targeting any problematic  cellulite hot-spots (thighs, rear-end, etc.). Building muscle will help smooth out any little lumps and bumps as your new muscle mass will lie on top of your fat layers, giving your skin a flat surface to rest upon. 

2. Consume less salt: By reducing your salt intake to less than 1,500 milligrams a day, you will cut down on water retention which some skin experts believe helps to improve the appearance of cellulite.

3. Self-tan: Giving yourself a faux-tan helps create an optical illusion that helps to hide the presence of cellulite. (Please note: by self-tan, we mean a tan that comes from a bottle, absolutely NO tanning-beds!) Multiple skin-care companies, such as Nivea and Philosophy, have been marketing "firming" self-tanners-- feel free to experiment with these, but keep expectations realistic. 

4. Use Moisturizers That Irritate Your Skin: Again, it sounds counter-intuitive to think that applying something that causes irritation would be recommended for your skin, but by applying a skin cream with skin-irritating ingredients such as pepper, caffeine, or retinols, the irritation caused to the skin makes it mildly swell, which camouflages any cellulite presence. The effect only lasts for a few hours, but is good to use before a special event or outing.

With warmer weather and bathing-suit season right around the corner, we would love to hear your opinions on any of these-- or other-- cellulite fighting tricks.

To look your best, embrace the things that make you-- you.

Look at it this way, I am saving you from one super-long, monster blog post...

Everyday since attending the "Just you, only better" workshop this past Friday, I have attempted to sum up the experience in one post.

However, it is proving impossible to adequately cover the key-points that every speaker made, without creating a ridiculously long post. So instead, I'm admitting defeat, and over the upcoming days I will post the highlights from each of the separate segments.

In hindsight,  it was interesting to note that after everything was said and done, the net take-away from all of the speakers (including the hair-stylist, makeup artist, fashionista, nutritionist, yogi, chef, fitness guru, etc.) was the same across the board, and totally on-topic with the name of the workshop.

You are who you are. Your hair is the texture it is, the size and shape of your bones is predetermined, and your body type is genetic. You can fight against everything you naturally are in order to meet a perceived notion of "perfect", but in the end-- it will make your life so much happier and easier to just embrace the unique qualities that make you, You!

Each speaker emphasized the ways that self-acceptance would improve their specific area of expertise. For instance, the Bobbi Brown make-up artist shared that the key of makeup is not to fix your face, but to enhance it. (She also pointed out that the most important thing to ensuring good makeup application is healthy, clear skin *ahem* but more on that later.)

While the Philly Fashionista reviewed some upcoming clothing trends to look for, she advised that each new fashion craze may not be appropriate for everyone. However, with some discretion, most styles can be tweaked to work for any wardrobe. (For example, if huge floral prints are not flattering, choose a smaller print, or perhaps get your floral fix with a printed hand-bag or scarf.)

Bottom line: do not change yourself to fit a desired mold, figure out a way for everything else to fit into your life.

By accepting, and appreciating, yourself, you poise yourself for a more satisfying life. Embracing your curls, hips, personality, and current life situation, allows you to clearly see ways to happily improve yourself, so that you're still just you... only better.  

Are you makeup dependent?

Cosmetics have a curious way of infiltrating the lives of women. 

Even though all females start out the same-- fresh-faced and ready to face everyday au naturel-- at some point, makeup invariably enters the equation, and women never quite look at themselves the same way again.

A recent survey shows how far reaching the impact of  makeup has on the every-day lives of American women:

• Six out of ten women would "never" go to work barefaced.
  
• One-third of all women would "never" leave home to run errands, without makeup on.
  
• One-third of all women think that men wouldn't find them attractive without makeup.
  
• It takes the average woman two and a half months before she would let a new love interest see her without makeup.

Do you find yourself agreeing with these findings?

On the one hand, people should feel comfortable doing whatever makes them feel good about themselves. However, on the other hand... it seems a little sad that so many women feel insecure about their natural appearances, especially considering that this skin scenario is solely experienced by the female gender. (The average male will never worry about swiping

on some mascara, bronzer, and gloss before running out the door.)

The great appearance equalizer might just be skin-care though, because although a multitude of skin-sins can be hidden by makeup-- the texture of skin (pimples, wrinkles, hairs) can never be completely camouflaged by makeup, regardless of gender.

Philadelphia's "Just you, only better" workshop

This upcoming Friday, about one-hundred Philadelphians* will gather at 17 & Market, to spend their entire day in a workshop dedicated to teaching them how to look like the best possible version of themselves. 

As a company that is dedicated to being your trusted source for all the best up-and-coming skin/image/self-confidence boosting news/tips/tricks, a Cosmo Skin Care representative will be in attendance to report back the most meaningful nuggets of information that were shared throughout the course of the day. 

A quick look at the day's agenda reads like the cover of a glossy fashion magazine, with sessions titled  "How to Find the Right Hair Style for YOU", "Celeb’s Secrets to Looking 10 Years Younger", "Fashion Tips to Help Reveal the Stylish & Sophisticated You", and others of that ilk. However, as a faithful fashion magazine subscriber since the age of 12, this sounds like a day filled with 8 hours of heaven... 

With an interesting mix of spiritual, exercise, and shopping advice, I am preparing to show up well-caffeinated, with a blank notebook in my purse, and plenty of business cards in my wallet. The Just You, Only Better Workshop wants to help you not just beautify your physical appearance, but also will teach you ways to improve your health and enhance your true inner beauty. The goal is to make the attendees feel empowered, by teaching them how to become a more balanced, happier person, basically…you, only better!

Final perk: word on the street is that there is an absolutely amazing goody bag for all attendees. :) 

After seeing how the events unfold this year, perhaps this is something that Cosmopolitan Skin Care's experts should be speaking at in the future-- lord knows the condition of a person's skin has an incredible effect on the way a person looks, and feels about themselves.  

7:30 - 8:30	Registration & Breakfast
8:30 - 9:00	The Impact of the Media on the Confidence of Women and Young Girls - Molly Napolitano, Founder & President, Just You Only Better
9:00 - 9:45	Women’s Health:  Staying Healthy, Vibrant & Sexy as You Age - Vicki Lukert, PT, Women’s Health Expert
9:45 - 10:30	Meditation & More:  Simple Ways to Reduce Your Stress & Transform Your Life  - Alice Dommert, Co-Founder, Deliver Me Yoga
10:30 - 10:45	BREAK
10:45 - 11:15	Fattitude:  Lose the “F” in Attitude - Michele M. Paiva, Author, Publisher
11:15 - 11:45	Train Your Head…Body Will Follow - Sandy Weston, M.Ed, Owner, Weston Fitness & Founder of H30 Workout System
11:45 - 1:15	Lunch & Presentation:  Fashion Tips to Help Reveal the Stylish & Sophisticated You - Biana, THE Philly Fashionista
1:15 - 2:00	Never Diet Again:  Easy Ways to Achieve & Maintain Your Perfect Weight - Melinda Engel, Owner, A Simple Approach to Nutrition - Molly Napolitano, Founder & President, Just You Only Better
2:00 - 2:30	The Celeb’s Secrets to Looking 10 Years Younger - Janet Indorf, Regional Make-up Artist, Bobbi Brown
2:30 - 3:00	How to Find the Right Hair Style for YOU   - Jeffrey Moffet, THE Makeover Guru, Pileggi on the Square
3:00 - 3:15	Break
3:15 - 4:00	Healthy Cooking:  Fast, Easy & Delicious - Brian Duffy, Celebrity Chef & Corporate Executive Chef, Kildare’s Irish Pubs & Harvest Seasonal Grill & Wine Bar
4:00 - 4:30	Final Thoughts - - - Meet New Friends
4:30 - 5:00	Free Zumba Class at Weston Fitness (Sandy Weston) OPTIONAL

*I would assume the attendees would be all women, but really... suppose they could be any gender.

The media seems to love hair-growing phemon Viviscal...

Sorry for the recent plethora of Viviscal information, BUT... after having placed our initial order last Thursday, a big packet of information about the hair-growing product was waiting on my desk for me this morning. 

Flipping through all of the information, these glamorous tidbits are making me that much more excited to start this process, that I was already super-excited about in the first place! 

Hair-beautifying Viviscal high-lights include:

• Super-model Jessica Stam recommending Viviscal to another fellow model, with "temperamental," over-processed hair. After buying a 3-month supply, Model #2 said that the difference Viviscal made on her hair was like night and day, and was simply "amazing". (Not to be catty, but aside from the damaging processes that models' hair is subject to... anorexics physically cannot have thick hair. Therefore, it makes even more sense why those in the modeling profession would flock to a product that allowed their real hair to look healthy.)
  
• Celebrity hair-dresser Guido Palau often tells his model clients with overworked hair, to try a six-month course of Viviscal. The hair-growth product that contains vitamins and marine protein has helped "loads of people" he's known regenerate their hair.
  
• James Murphy, CEO of Lifes2good-- Viviscal's distributor-- has encouraged clients like Demi Moore, Cameron Diaz, and Hilary Swank to take these supplements. "You take one in the morning and evening, and in two months your hair growth will kick in at an accelerated rate."
  
• And, you can even catch Viviscal spokes-person Finola Hughes doing the publicity rounds for the product, as seen here on the Wendy Williams show: 

Ok UPS... I'm even more convinced, and even more pysched. Now, where's my package already?? 

Viviscal Part I: Was this Rapunzel's secret?

Ever wonder why Disney princesses always have super long, thick, lustrous hair? (Ok, even though it's just a cartoon-- somehow you just know that the princess's hair is super silky, soft, and shiny.) Did you ever wonder if there is any correlation between having that gorgeous hair, and the most handsomest prince in the world, falling in love with them?

Granted however, that Disney princesses are just drawings for children. 

So, consider their real-life counter-parts: the models of Victoria's Secret. Giselle, Heidi Klum, Adriana Lima, Marissa Miller, Mirande Kerr, and Selita Ebanks, are all real-life women, whom are considered the echelon of female desirability. Lo and behold, they too ALL have thick, long, shiny hair. 

Would Victoria's Secret models be as sexy, with short/thin hair? Me thinks not. 

With my thin mop of shoulder-length hair, certainly no offense is meant to anyone with short, or thin hair. 

However, without a doubt-- long, healthy hair is sexy hair, and it sends a loud but subconscious message to the world: I am very healthy, you should mate with me. 

Despite the gloom surrounding the current economy, the hair care industry is still receiving it's share of dollars. Most models and celebrities with really long hair are sporting extensions-- which require frequent and expensive maintenance.(Good hair extensions need to be redone every 3-6 months, and start at around $1,000+.)  

And length isn't the only reason why people get extensions though, some get hair extensions at natural looking lengths, simply to thicken the appearance of their hair. 

The extension craze has gotten so big that it has slowly but surely made its way into the tresses of the every-day girls all around you. Those that have extensions readily admit the addictiveness of it, and cannot imagine a day when they would not want to keep up with the mandatory maintenance, despite the financial strain.

However, what if there was a way to allow your own hair to grow longer and thicker, for a fraction of the price of extensions? Vogue magazine recently ran an article where they revealed a secret trick that models employ to always look picture perfect: Viviscal tablets. 

Made of fish cartilage, pop two of these pills a day for up to 6 months and Viviscal promises that your will grow longer, faster.

The ingredients are all natural, and encourage faster growth of new hairs, in addition to prolonging the growth stage of your pre-existing hairs (so that the hairs you already have, don't fall out as quickly.) The final effect is thicker, longer hair, that is all yours. 

A little skeptical, I actually spoke with the customer service people. When probed about any possible side-effects (such as a fishy after-taste-- I was assured there was NO after-taste) I was pleasantly surprised to hear that the only other reported effects were the faster, thicker growth of nails and eye-lashes, too. 

Since the Viviscal supplement cannot change the appearance of the hair already on your head, you are advised to take this for at least six months before you start to see the real results. At about $70 for a month's supply, (an absolute steal compared to the cost of hair extensions) I placed my first 3 month order yesterday, and CANNOT wait for it to arrive so I can start this experiment on myself. 

The question remains: Is it really physically possible for a dietary supplement to allow me to grow the hair of my dreams?! 

Stay tuned to find out... and depending on how this goes down, boxes of Viviscal might soon be for sale next to our boxes of Latisse. 

• Nourishes thinning hair and promotes existing hair growth
• Clinically proven and scientifically tested
• Drug-free and safe from harmful side effects
• Strengthens and nourishes weak hair from within
• One formulation for men and women
• Proven to work for all ages and ethnicities
• 100% natural ingredients

10 tricks to look better in photos

With the Holiday season in full-swing, there is never a time when more pictures are being taken of you. The events at all of your parties, family get-togethers, and gift exchanges are being recorded by at least one paparazzi in the group. With the prevalence of Facebook, Twitter, FlickR, and many other social media sites, it is easier than ever for the entire world to have access to photographs of you doing all sorts of thing, while looking less than stellar...

Luckily, there are people who are paid to take pictures, and there are people who are paid to look good in pictures. Both models, photographers, stylists, and make-up artists have gotten together in order to share the tips and tricks they've figured out to ensure their best chance at capturing a great photo. 

Thanks to their advice, the following 10 tips can enable you to always look picture perfect:

10. Let the camera do the work!

A good camera goes a long way when it comes to taking good pictures. Don't be intimidated,  Los Angeles celebrity photographer (and former model) Jack Guy promises that "a good [camera] doesn't have to be complicated." He swears by the Canon G series because it takes great pictures—and doesn't require expertise.

9. Sunsets provide the best natural lighting

Granted, this tip is hard to take advantage of during the winter when a sunset occurs around 4pm, but dusk is the best time of day for outdoor pictures. "The lighting is really flattering," says former model and photographer Jack Guy. "The sun casts less shadow downward, so you don't end up with bags under your eyes in the photo. Instead, it lights up the area under the eyes and you look younger." 

8.  Don't be too shiny.

While it's nice to have a subtle glow to your skin, too much shine can be distracting, says L.A. makeup artist Troy Jensen, who recommends applying a matte finishing product, like Clinique Pore Minimizer Instant Perfector. "Run it on the side of your nose, forehead and chin. It neutralizes shine instantly without feeling goopy."

Keeping some oil absorbing blotting sheets in your purse can also help-- just wipe one across your trouble spots while in the bathroom, and it will soak up the excess oil while leaving you with a matte finish.

7. Say "money!"
"Cheese" is the classic spoken request for picture taking, but saying "money" yields better results. "The strong e sound makes the corners of your mouth go up," says Patti Wood. "And the crinkles around your eyes make it look like a genuine smile." 

6. Give yourself a berry smile!

"A berry lip color with a hint of sheen flatters everyone," says Los Angeles image consultant Mimi Dorsey. Avoid nudes, which can make you look like a corpse once the flash hits—and brights, which often come across as harsh.

5. Don't get sloppy

It is very hard to take a good picture while intoxicated (and this might be the hardest tip to follow, as holiday parties are usually full of libations). Try to take the majority of pictures early, before that third (or fourth or fifth) alcoholic beverage. You're more in control, and it shows! Says Los Angeles makeup artist Troy Jensen, "no matter how bright the flash is, your eyes will look droopy after drinks."

These are the last type of pictures you want floating around the inter-webs...

4. Keep your hair touchable

The styles of the 1980's are definitely back... but the best hair today shows no sign of that decade.

N.Y.C. hairstylist David Evangelista says "you really don't want your do to look sprayed or crunchy," so show some reserve with the big hair and styling products. Hair that can move comes across as sexier on film. (Just think about the hair styles shown on the models in a Victoria Secret catalog for proof... and inspiration.)

3. Stick out your face

Los Angeles image consultant Mimi Dorsey recommends pushing your face forward ever so slightly. "It feels absolutely ridiculous when you're doing it, but it makes your face look thinner and hides any sign of a double chin."

2. Trademark Your Own "Blue Steel"

Zoolander's trademarked "Blue steel" look was purposely laughable, but this practice is something that celebrities actually do. 

Is your right side more flattering? Does a subtle smile look sexier? "Pull out all of your favorite pictures of yourself and see what you like," suggests Guy. "You'll probably find a look that's consistent. Once you know how you like yourself to look, it's much easier to replicate." 

 

1. Stand like this to look your longest & leanest

There's a reason starlets like to stand at an angle... "Twist your torso, turning one shoulder toward the camera and the other away from it," says Atlanta body-language expert Patti Wood. "It makes you look very slender."

Putting your hands on your hips also helps, as the waist is more defined and the torso looks more shapely.  (Standing with your arms hanging down by your side makes the whole torso appear wider, while hiding the waistline.) Pointing one foot in front of the other helps make legs appear more slender.

20 Model secrets to remind yourself of...

Cindy, Helena, Claudia, Naomi, Gisele. Men want them, and women want to be them...

When it comes to super-models, it is their seeming perfection which sets the beauty standards that everyone else tries to aspire to. Everyday women measure themselves against the images they see in magazines and on TV, and men are trained to desire this level of perfection in real-life. 

While there are many things that everyday people can do to themselves to help try and attain the "perfection" that models embody; Botox, plastic surgery, anorexia, hair extensions, etc., etc., it is so relieving to hear the real truth from a beauty insider: the pictures seen on TV and in magazines are not real. In real life, the models don't even look like the image they ultimately portray. 

It is very important to feel good about the appearance you present to the world, and it is refreshing to put a more realistic slant on the "perfect" models that our culture allows to dictate beauty standards. 

From an article on theGloss.com by Jennifer Wright, remind yourself of the humorous/ridiculous/impossible aspects of modeling-- behold, the 20 most surprising facts about the modeling industry: 

It occurs to me that every “shocking expose” or article about the modeling industry I have ever read – in the past 15 years – touches on one of the following 20 themes. See if you can come up with any I haven’t hit.
 

1) They don’t look like that in real life.

2) No. Really. EVERYTHING IS AIRBRUSHED.

3) Models consume very few calories compared to most people.

4) Models will order cheeseburgers when out with reporters to make #3 seem not true. In spite of this, models consume very few calories compared to most people.

5) Sometimes, models have eating disorders.

6) If you are young and beautiful, a lot of people will give you drugs. FOR FREE.

7) Models often look good in clothes that will not look good on you.

8) No matter how many times Kate Moss does drugs, she will be forgiven.

9) Sometimes beautiful young models date ugly, rich old men.

10) Everyone would like to work with Karl Lagerfeld

11) Models work in conditions of extreme heat or cold.

12) Sometimes, models are put in dangerous situations.

13) Models have parents.

14) Runways are hard to walk down, and slippery!

15) My goodness, photographers really can be creepy

16) Naomi Campbell seems to make shockingly bad decisions.

17) Models really don’t get paid that very much.

18) When she was growing up, everyone thought she was uuugggllllyyyy.

19) Cindy Crawford is [insert Cindy Crawford's age right now]

20) Modeling is not as glamorous as it is made out to be.

What would you rather: chocolate or clear skin?

After some of the things I've seen, NOTHING should be surprising anymore in terms of how far people are willing to go for the sake of vanity. 

To date, I've seen people that have picked their faces to the bone trying to pop phantom pimples (still makes me hurt just thinking about it), male laser hair removal patients that want to obliterate every strand of hair on their bodies, women who have secret jobs to finance their Botox addictions (without their husbands finding out), and teenagers that refuse to go to school because of an acne outbreak. 

It's very clear: people care a lot about the way they look. 

And yet, for some reason, this recent bit of skin information still struck me as odd... 

Skin care manufacturer Noxzema recently conducted a survey which found that 57% of women would forgo chocolate for a month in exchange for flawless skin for a month! 

Luckily, the old-wives tales about chocolate causing pimples is completely unfounded-- bacteria causes pimples-- but it's interesting to see the ways that people will suffer for appearances sake. 

Would you deny yourself your favorite guilty pleasure in exchange for a temporary aesthetic change of your choice? If so, what would you skip, and for what?

Bottoms up! The big rear-end trend

Despite their penchant for skin-tight Herve Leger dresses that hug and accentuate every curve, I don't think Kim Kardashian, J.Lo, nor Beyonce are responsible for actually creating the big-rearend trend... although they are definitely helping with its perpetuation.

If you open up any celebrity magazine these days, you will see picture after picture of well-asseted female celebs flaunting what they've got. (The whole Kardashian clan is a perfect example.) And, there's nothing wrong with that-- all body types should be equally celebrated. It is just interesting to watch the trends;  just like clothing and hair styles, body ideals are also constantly evolving and revolving.

While big booties might be the must-have-figure of the new millennium, it wasn't long ago when the opposite-- no rear-end and big breasts (i.e. female BayWatch cast circa the 90's)-- was the craze. Body trends come and go, always fluctuating, with popularity surging between plump, curvy, skinny, big-chested, flat-chested, big rear-ends, no rear-ends, and any combination of them all.

While a curvier rump can certainly help balance out curves in the skin-tight designs of Herve Leger, some people are taking today's trends quite seriously and permanently enhancing their back-sides. In 2009, over 5,000 American women had surgical butt implants. 

Luckily, other industries are noticing the current interest in bubbilicious tushes, and creating temporary tuchus  boosters. Frederick's of Hollywood and Victoria's Secret both are currently selling butt padding, and a product called "Booty Pop" (pictured below) is now being sold in such mass retailers as Walgreens, Target, and Bad Bath & Beyond. And, there is definitely interest in this genre; to date Booty Pop reports one million orders so far this year. 

Just like a padded bra, this is a good way to experiment with your appearance without incurring any risk to your body, nor spending a fortune. 

But, you are probably asking yourself, do these push-up bras for butts actually work?? Does it look natural?! 

It appears the answer is a resounding, Yes! 

After trying the Booty Pop ($20), morning show TV host Kelly Ripa admitted she "may never take [them] off!" The Victoria's Secret "Bum Booster" ($34) is akin to a pair of biker-short Spanx with strategically placed padding, and Frederick's of Hollywood's "Booty Boy Short" ($28) is a pair of boy-shorts with padding. All three products feature life-like, temporary bottom boosting, with minimal financial investment needed. 

This product category is ingenious in light of the insane success that bust-enhancing lingerie companies have experienced... and I can stand behind it too, because this is a way to have fun with the aesthetic ideals of today, and still be OK in ten years when pancake bums come back in style...

Bottoms up!

Teaching little girls to love their hair, even if it's the complete opposite of Barbie's...

Even though my next Brazilian blow-out is scheduled for this weekend, and despite the fact that I think this song is mere moments away from having highly inappropriate spin-offs made... I LOVE the message this new song from Sesame Street is sending to little girls:

It has a cute back-story too. The head-writer of Sesame Street adopted a little girl from Ethiopia, who was upset that her hair looked nothing like Barbie's straight, flowy locks. In order to appease her, and other little girls like her, he penned this song for her, to huge acclaim. Females of every race, age, and creed have come forward to admit the insecurities they sometimes felt because of their hair, and to sing the praises for this song that will hopefully allow future little girls to feel more secure with the unique hair that they have. 

The version below goes hand-in-hand with this, and is an adorable, skillful video mash-up of "I love my hair" and Willow Smith's first song, "I whip my hair." Willow Smith is a 9 year old African American little girl, who has more confidence and swagger than both of her parents combined. She rocks her ethnic hair in a wide variety of styles, and is certainly not afraid to be who she is. Combining her lyrics and beat with the child-friendly images of Sesame Street presents a more stylish, catchy presentation of the same message: be proud of what makes you, you!

Best band-aid for bad-breath

With a strong penchant for garlic, Doritos, and tuna fish, (not all at the same meal!) toothbrushes and chewing gum could actually be considered business expenses... In terms of building relationships with future patients, it certainly behooves me to not have tuna breath while doing an in-your-face skin consultation/treatment.

To that effect, mint-flavored everything has been a very good friend to me. (Or so I thought.) Up until now, I would always pick a mint-flavored anything; toothpaste, gum, candies, dental floss, etc. 

However, a study done by Big Red shows that my minty predisposition might not be the best breath saving option...

Big Red, yes-- the company that happens to make cinnamon flavored gum-- conducted a study which showed that Cinnamon helps prevent bad breath more effectively than mint flavors do. The natural oils that are found in Cinnamon, contains ingredients that reduce the amount of bacteria that can survive in your mouth, while also helping cut down periodontal infections and gum problems.

At-home bad-breath remedies have always included cinnamon, and concoctions range from boiling cinnamon and gargling said water, all the way to keeping an entire Cinnamon stick in your mouth all day.

Realistically, there are much practical, on-the-go ways of enjoying the bad-breath protection Cinnamon can provide. You can always just pop in some cinnamon flavored gum (sorry Big Red, you may have orchestrated the study, but Trident makes a pretty good version too), use some cinnamon-flavored breath spray, or enjoy cinnamon flavored breath-strips. 

The sprays and breath strips are perfect for me: much more discreet than gum-smacking, especially for those important face-to-face moments. 

Although I might still stick to my minty flavored toothpastes, Cinnamon is definitely going to become an integral part of my daily mouth-maintenance arsenal. (My patients deserve the best.) 

How big will you go? Turns out, it depends on where you live

Just like accents (water vs. wooder), food preferences (red clam chowder vs. white) and clothing styles (Sperry vs. Ed Hardy), there are distinct differences amongst Americans depending on which part of the country they are from. 

Usually an accent is the first give-away as to where a person originated from (I pawqt my caw...), but in case no words are exchanged, there's a new way to determine what part of the country a new [female] acquaintance is from... (and I'm not referring to a tell-tale hairstyle.) 

Recent studies show that although breast implants are popular across the nation, different styles of boobs are preferred per region. 

In New York city, where high fashion meets fast-paced lifestyles, smaller implants are the norm, with the average implant size being in the 200-cc range. (Just about one cup size increase.) 

In the Mid-West, the most popular breast implant is the one that doesn't look like a breast implant-- women are requesting naturally proportioned breasts that balance out their bodies. 

The expression that "everything is bigger in Texas" especially holds true when it comes to their breast implant trends... Texas comes in #1 for having the largest breast implants, with the average woman wanting at least a size D. (Most patients come in and want to increase their breast size by at least 3 cup sizes.)

In areas that are always warm, such as L.A., Las Vegas, and Miami, big boobs are also in style... however these women show slightly more restraint when it comes to their breast size than their Texan counter-parts. As opposed to increasing their current size by 3 cups, these women usually prefer a 2 cup increase instead. (About 350-cc.) 
 
Women get breast implants for the same reason anyone does anything cosmetic; to look and feel better about themselves. However, not every body is built to accommodate large implants. If implants are too large, there are a variety of unpleasant side effects involved; such as rippling, wrinkling, stretch marks, pressure atrophy, and possibly corrective surgeries will be needed in the future. 

The size of implant that is chosen should not be based on local trends, although it is interesting to take note of. For the best results (now, and 10 years from now) make sure your doctor takes into consideration the build of your body, and the condition of your current breast tissue.

Health secrets revealed by your nails...

The other day I was getting a manicure, and as soon as the old polish was removed, my friend leaned over from her chair to inspect my naked nails. 

"Omg, you have nail fungus!" she shrieked, pointing at the white spots I had dotting some on my nails. 

"No I don't!" I said quietly, but firmly, as I looked around to see how many people had heard her over-dramatization about my nails. A few glances did meet mine, but it didn't seem like anyone else considered my white-spots to be the huge deal that my friend did. 

"Yes you do," she insisted. "Those white spots are nail fungus! Ewww!" 

The poor technician stuck in between the two of us, who was currently smoothing cuticle softener onto my fingertips, looked up from above her surgical mask, and shook her head at my friend. "No fungus. From trauma," she said, and pantomimed things hitting my nails. 

"Told you..." I said under my breath, and smiled appreciatively at my manicurist from saving me from unfounded finger fungus accusations. 

However, the topic of nails and their apparent health stuck around in my brain (as you can tell) and although nails have come to represent a current standard of beauty in today's society, they also are big indicators of the overall health of your body. Just like your skin, any abnormality can be indicative of something much bigger happening. A white spot here, or a bump there can be warning signs of other issues currently going on internally, with hints of problems from your liver, lungs or heart manifesting themselves on your nails. 

Keep reading to learn what health secrets your nails reveal: 

If your nails have white spots: 

As my trusty manicurist said, white spots can often occur when the nails have received some sort trauma, such as something falling on your nails, or even a too rough manicure. (Pushing cuticles with too much force has been known to cause these spots.) However, these white spots can also be indicative of a vitamin or mineral deficiency. Try taking a full-spectrum once-a-day vitamin to make sure your body is getting all the nutrients it needs.

If your entire nails are turning white though...that is cause for greater concern. If the nails are becoming mostly white with darker rims, you should schedule time with a doctor immediately as this can indicate liver problems, such as hepatitis. In the picture below, the fingers are also jaundiced which is another sign of liver trouble.

 

If your nails are dry and peeling:

Dry, brittle nails that frequently crack or split have been linked to thyroid disease. 

Cracking or splitting combined with a yellowish hue is more likely due to a fungal infection.

If your nails have ridges:

When the surface of the nail is rippled or pitted, it can be an early sign of psoriasis or inflammatory arthritis. (Psoriasis is a skin condition that starts in the nails 10% of the time.)

If your nails are yellow:

Yellow nails can occur from excessive use of darkly colored nail-polish. In order to avoid this, it is recommended to use a base-coat before applying the desired dark shade. 

If you don't use dark nail-polishes and are experiencing yellow nails anyway, it could be cause for concern. Discolored nails can hint towards anything from fungal infections, to diabetes, or liver, kidney, or lung conditions that may require medical attention.

If your nails are thin:

Fragile nails that break easily usually mean that you have an iron deficiency. Again, this is something that can be easily fixed with a vitamin supplement.

If you bite your nails:

The way that you treat your nails can actually help determine the current mental state you might be experiencing. Nails that are bitten down to the quick usually indicate persistent anxiety that could be alleviated with the proper treatment. 

 Nail biting or picking has also been linked to obsessive-compulsive disorder. 

 If you can’t stop, it’s worth discussing with your doctor.

And the scariest one for last... if you have a dark stripe underneath your nail; get thee to a doctor stat!

Dark lines beneath the nail need to be investigated as soon as possible because they are sometimes caused by melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer!

*As I was writing this, the whole concept of wearing nail polish seemed increasingly alien? 
 When did it become the social norm to have part of your fingers appear a wholly unnatural color? How did this come to be a standard of beauty, when usually traits that are considered "beautiful" are indicators of desirable genetics for future off-spring? 
 In conclusion, after learning about all the unpleasantries that nails can indicate, my guess is that wearing nail polish is akin to coloring your hair, or wearing make-up. It has become the norm because it is used as a disguise; it hides the truth about the body wearing it, and reinforces an image of "health" that would be desirable to procreate with... and really-- if we're being honest-- isn't that the end goal of why we do everything we do to groom and take care of ourselves?