| Wear Red to Bed … Lipstick
is back |
| Lipstick is back. Real movie star, glamour-puss, grown-up lipstick.
So paint your lips. Pout. Go “Ooo” and make a Parisian
moue with your mouth. Throw hot pink kisses. Leave your mark when
you kiss him. |
| Hot red lipstick like Charlie Revson at Revlon made - back again.
Pale pink lipstick like your mother wore is at the store once more.
Shocking Pink lipstick, just like Shiaparelli sold, is sending out
waves - and getting raves again. |
| So lose your head. Wear red. Blot your lips and wear it to bed!
Lipstick is back. |
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Image: Natalie Nguyen
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| Dove’s Pro-Age
Has Nothing to Hide |
| Dove’s new advertising campaign of nude "real-life"
women over 50 for their new Pro-age cosmetic
line is causing quite a stir. As part of this campaign, Dove commissioned
a “global survey” of women over 50 about their attitudes
on aging. Not surprisingly, they found that the majority of women
surveyed felt society needed to change its attitude about age and
beauty. |
| The new Pro-age line is just what it says it is -- products designed
to meet the needs of aging skin. As skin gets older, it can’t
hold onto moisture, and the cell turn-over rate slows down. The answer:
lock in moisture and exfoliate to speed up cell turn-over. And --
as always -- avoid sun damage with sun protection. |
| This is a huge product launch with everything from shampoo and deodorant
to eye cream. It’s well-priced, chicly packaged, and sure to
appeal to Dove lovers. Key ingredients: olive oil for moisture and
its anti-oxidant properties, and glycerin to lock in moisture. AHA
is used in some products to exfoliate. |
| Two products I really like from this huge line-up are Pro-age
Neck and Chest Serum -- a product usually found only
in really expensive lines. A saggy or wrinkly neck is a real problem
for many women over 40 –so bravo for this solution! I also liked
the Pro-age Foaming Cleanser because it
is very gentle. |
| Fever At The Oscars,
Fever At The Grammy’s – Oh My! |
Look for our own art director and photographer Karin
Pacione’s hot, hot shots of Balmshell
gloss in promotional ads for the fabulous lip-candy that will be part
of this year’s Oscar and Grammy
gift bags. We told you about Balmshell a few months ago. We love its
sweet scent and clever story-line line cases that can be collected
as key chains or charms when the gloss is long gone. The stars will
be sporting You Give Me Fever!
www.balmshell.com
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| Balmshell Fever at Oscars and Grammy Awards |
Image: Karin Pacione
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| Watch My Lips |
Seriously, with all eyes on your mouth this season your lips need
to be so-so- smooth. Lips that are cracked, lined or dry won’t
look chic, sexy, or healthy.
To have kissable, poutable lips try Olay Regenerist Anti-aging
Lip Treatment. Packed with peptides and vitamins, this
fabulous little potion takes your lips from ouch to “Ooo la
la!” in minutes. Seriously cracked lips may take longer to respond,
but it works. The Olay Regenerist Daily Serum
from the same line is also packed with fabulous peptides has that
same instant smoothing and plumping. |
| Carmex lip balm in the pot
is an old secret of models. The magic is the phenol, which peels off
cracked skin and leaves lips baby-soft. Use it only at night, as it
doesn’t contain sun-screen. It is amazing – sort of like
a facial for your lips. |
Now go blow kisses darling. It’s Valentine’s Day.
|
Factory Girl –
Andy Warhol’s Pop Art Revolution thru the Eyes of His Muse
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| Do you remember Edie Sedgwick? She was the ultimate It Girl of the
Warhol Pop Art Days -the era that stretched from the 60s through the
70’s and still influences fashion today. Edie was gorgeous,
long-legged, and rich. She wanted to be an artist. Her greatest art
was in being herself. She had black false eyelashes, heavy liner,
short blond hair, and pale lips. She was striking. For a while she
was always on the pages of Vogue. She was the ultimate fashionista
- famous for her look. She was a pretty, sad, little rich girl. The
movie that stars Sienna Miller and Guy Pearce is fabulously true to
the periods, even if there are flaws in the actual story regarding
Edie’s love life and other details. The mood and the tragedy
of ethereal Edie ring true –she was indeed a modern Holly Golightly
–who didn’t. It’s a must-see for anyone who has
loved mini-skirts and black tights, old issues of Vogue or thought
it would have been great or knows Andy and all those freaky Factory
people. It’s a compelling cultural snapshot and tragic little
tale to break your heart. |
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| Life and Style, Entertainment |
| What to Do If You Feel Blue on
Valentine’s Day |
| Valentine’s Day is one touchy holiday. You love it or you
hate it. It starts in grade school with all the pretty Valentines.
Even though parents and teachers try to make Valentine’s Day
fun for everyone, sometimes Cupid is a real mean guy. Love is fickle
– especially for the young. And hearts are fragile no matter
what your age. |
| Let’s face it: Valentines Day is a one-note holiday and the
chord it strikes depends on the tune your love life is playing at
any particular moment. So, my darlings -- who have had a star-crossed,
instead of a love-struck, year -- here are some of my favourite ways
to pass “stupid-cupid day”. If that’s how you’re
feeling. |
| · Organize - don’t cook, or you might feel like Cinderella
- a fabulous pot-luck feast with several like-minded friends. Top
off the evening by watching War of the Roses,
the ugliest divorce comedy ever made, starring Kathleen Turner and
Michael Douglas. Being single never looked so good. |
· Book yourself the fanciest spa package you can find. Relax,
renew, and luxuriate. They say love comes to those who love themselves.
If they’re wrong, what’s the harm? You’ll look marvelous!
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| Much Ado About Nothing with Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson |
| · Embrace romance that doesn’t involve falling in love.
Find art, poetry, music, architecture or literature that makes your
heart soar. If you are an artist, look outside your own medium. I
am not kidding, darlings. We lose touch with this side of ourselves
and it’s sad. No matter what work you do, life without random
creativity is as flat as day-old champagne. |
So, if Valentine’s Day brings you down, darling, shift your
focus and fall into something gorgeous. Read Edna St.
Vincent Millay - her poetry or her biography
Savage Beauty. It’s dramatic, heart-stopping
and compelling. Watch Much Ado About Nothing
with Kenneth Branagh and Emma
Thompson. Listen to Shakespeare’s cutting riposte
on love’s foolish travails. Sink into a picture as lush and
juicy as a ripe Tuscan peach. Rent the old classic Never
on Sunday. Marvel at the beauty of Greek Isles and Marina
Mecouri’s walk. Never on Sunday is
the story of improbable love between impossible people. The title
song will never leave you.
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| Valentines Day can be sad for people in relationships, too, especially
if they’re hitting a few bumps and it doesn’t feel all
bright and shiny like “movie love” anymore. |
| Psychologist Judy E. Hall, PhD has some
tips to help relationships get through rough spots and encourage good
ones flourish. So take heart, dear DolceDolce
lovers: if your love life is less than perfect and your own true love
has lost some of the gloss, solid relationships can buff-up too. Here’s
what the good doctor has to say: |
| Sometimes new approaches to old problems provide what it takes to
grow and maintain a successful relationship. Try these tips: |
| · It’s important to remember that the only person you
can change in the relationship is you. |
| · It’s okay to go to sleep when you’re angry
at each other. But start the morning afresh. |
| · Winning shouldn’t be the focus in arguments. What’s
important is that you are willing to be gracious and move on. That
is catching in a relationship. |
| · Make feedback work for you. Look for the truth in what
is said and make it an opportunity to grow. |
| · Try resolving disagreements with humor. Get out the nerf
ball, and turn conflict into fun. It’s difficult to be angry
if we are able to laugh at ourselves. |
| · Communicate specifics in how you feel. Don’t assume
your partner knows. |
| · Try this exercise: name five strengths your partner has
for each trait you consider difficult. |
| · Make your relationship a priority. Schedule a date night
each week. |
| · Set boundaries on outside intrusions. Find time to be alone
together each day. |
| · Many good relationships flounder over finances. Work together
on budgeting for all types of events. |
| · If you and your partner are unable to resolve your differences,
consider consulting a couple’s psychologist. Find someone whom
both of you agree, in advance, is acceptable. To do so, go to www.findapsychologist.org |
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| Not registered yet to receive DolceDolce’s
free weekly email newsletter? Help us grow; sign-up
today, and forward
to your friends. Because life should be sweet. |
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| Beauty |
| I Need Therapy! |
| February is my winter breaking point. It’s when all the cold,
slush, rain, holiday excesses, and winter-fatigue finally kicks and
makes me look and feel rough and ragged. It’s time for a little
therapy! |
Some of my favourite fast mid-winter fixes are from Earth Therapeutics.
Intensive Heel Repair and Hand Remedy are little spas in a tube. Both
contain AHAs, essential oils, and rich emollients. The scent alone
starts my relaxation response. At under $10 for a large tube, I can
use the gallons my skin craves this time of year. Try it. It’s
so exotic and luxurious, you’ll feel as pampered Cleopatra on
her perfumed barge. Divine. Read, rub, and relax. No excuses, you
have time it takes minutes. No driving or appointment; just do it
yourself at home. Keep some at work too for aromatherapy mini-break.
Now don’t you feel better? www.earththerapeutics.com
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| Life
and Style |
| Have A Little Fun with your Feet |
Have you heard of toe reading? Toe-reader and teacher K.C. Miller
says that your feet will reveal your state of mind and heart, if you
know how “read them” Her theory is that your body records
your life. From the shape of your toes to the condition of your nails,
feet show your talents, emotions, dreams, and ambitions. Are your
feet carved in stone, or do they change over time? According to K.C.
they change when you do. Toe-reading is an interesting premise, considering
how important shoes and feet have become in fashion over the past
decade, not to mention how polarized some women are about “shoe-issues”.
To find out what your toes might be telling you, check out www.toereadingonline.com
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| Health
|
| Don’t Fall For it Baby |
| The US Food and Drug Administration have approved Orlistat for sale
as an over-the-counter drug for the treatment of over-weight adults.
Until now, it was a prescription drug called Xenical. The new over-the-counter
version will be sold under the brand name Alli. Capsules are 60 milligrams
and come with healthful eating guides and other information designed
to help the consumer use the product safely. The original Xenical
120 milligram tablets (approved in Canada) will still be available
too for those under doctor’s care. |
| Obviously it won’t be very hard to get a hold of these new
miracle drugs if you are inclined. But should you? Eaten with meals,
they block about 25 percent of the fat you eat. The worst side effects
involve bowel habits. Symptoms of gas to “leaking” have
been mentioned. The tablets work best with a low-fat diet and exercise.
There is evidence they useful for the morbidly obese. I am not arguing
that point. |
| My fear is that -- as with gastric banding, stomach stapling, and
other diet pills and programs that those who are consistently over-weight
by 25-50 pounds – may be ruining their health and even endangering
their lives by resorting to these products. Developing healthful eating
habits, exercising, and understanding the emotional aspect of overeating
are essential for treating all habitual overeaters. Yoyo dieting is
hard on your body. It actually ages you, and is hard on your spirit.
Even though these pills are over-the-counter, talk to an informed
doctor first. Please. If you are under 40, talk to your family doctor
or a weight-loss specialist attached to a major hospital or non-commercial
clinic. If you are 40 or older, consider a doctor who has a NAMs certification,
as weight-gain is part of menopause and they will sensibly assess
any weight loss program. Personal trainers at respected clubs with
tested nutrional plans can also be a good place to start, but ask
about their programs and experience. |
| Also, if you’re on a budget or fairly young, this won’t
sound too glam. But over the years, millions of women have safely
lost weight - and more importantly kept if off - with Weight-Watchers
and Jenny Craig. Neither are my personal styles. I hate meetings,
but WW has a new program with no meetings. I hate prepared food, but
many women I know adore Jenny Craig. Here’s the skinny: they
work, they are safe, and they are affordable. No starving, no pills,
no weird shots. They tell you to exercise. Lots of young, 20-year-old,
smart something’s are doing the WW thing. |
I can’t pretend this is my big issue. Over the years I have
had to gain and lose a few pounds. Once I was a bit more - and not
fun. I am lucky I was taught to eat well and came to realize I had
better exercise or my bones would collapse. I would not be strong
and 20 forever. Darling if you are struggling, you are still beautiful.
Beauty is not size but a state. But find something smart and just
do it for you to be strong and healthy.
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| Life,
Style, Entertaining |
Valentine’s Day is perfect
time for a little original sin, so chill a bottle of very dry Italian
Prosecco and get ready to play Eve.
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Original Sin –So sweet, so tart – so irresistible.
Take chilled champagne flutes and pour ½ ounce chilled sour
apple liquor.
Fill the glass to the brim with equally chilled Prosecco.
How different and delicious is that? |
So darling DolceDolce readers another sweet week gone. I hope you’ll
have a delicious Valentine’s Day either way – romantically
inclined with culture, reclined, or perhaps mocking cupid. Winter
seems long; life is short. So let’s all find just a little extra
sparkle. Why not? Please write and give me your thoughts on sparkle.
Do we have enough? Also I love to hear about your favourite beauty
finds and what you think of mine.
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| And remember to sign-up,
if you haven’t already, and forward
DolceDolce to a friend. Because life should be sweet. |
| Gracey Hitchcock |
| Editor |
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