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MANPINION: THE OPPOSITE SEX WEIGHS IN ON COSMETIC PROCEDURES

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

plastic surgeryWe at Beauty Undercover like to get the male perspective on cosmetic procedures.  What do men really want?  Beauty Undercover did a survey and polled men to rank five cosmetic procedures from best to worst.  Some of the results might surprise you, especially which procedure came in first place. 
One man refused to participate as he was critical of American plastic surgery stating, “The Europeans and Brazilians do it so much better.”  This man about town was pretty honest about his feelings on the subject. “Women always tell me they do these things for themselves – not men,” he said.  “Thus I’m helpless to stop this epidemic.”  Hmmm, but he did add, “Surgery is best when it’s not detectable.”  Below are the results of our plastic surgery poll.

  1. Nose job – It came in first place by more than a nose. This was the procedure men felt was the best investment for a woman.  We found that rather surprising.
  2. Breast Implants – We thought this would be the number one procedure they’d support.  While we love men, let’s face it they can be pigs!
  3. Liposuction – Removing the fat came in third place.
  4. Laser resurfacing – Most reacted by saying, “What is that?”  Men didn’t seem to care about the texture of a woman’s skin.
  5. Lip Augmentation – Across the board men said, “Stop with the injections!  There is nothing more obvious than big, injected lips.”

CERTAIN SCENTS MAKE YOU APPEAR SLIMMER

Saturday, December 19th, 2009

GIVENCHYBy Jag Carrao
The exercise classes, the fad diets, and of course, the Spanx — they’re all part of the war we women continually wage on flab. Well, now you’ve got a new weapon with which to fight the battle of the bulge: Perfume!  It seems certain scents can make you appear at least 10-pounds thinner (okay – now you’re paying attention!).
Dr. Alan Hirsch of Chicago’s Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation waved different scents under the noses of nearly 200 men, asking them to estimate women’s weight.  The aromas ranged from citrus-floral (think Eau de Givenchy or Dior’s Poison) to lily of the valley (think DK’s Cashmere mist — or back to childhood: Muguet) to floral-spice (think Michael Kors or Bulgari).  The result: the floral-spice scent took 12 pounds off a women’s weight, in the eyes of the male testers!
Other great options for that slimming floral-spice scent includes Marc Jacob, Giorgio, Armani’s Mania and Calvin Klein’s Eternity.
Jag Carrao is a Malibu-based dating coach to the stars who has helped steer several high profile celebrities to the altar.

LIP-STAKES?

Monday, December 14th, 2009

lipstickBy Lisa Gaché
Lipstick is the finishing touch on the face. Without it we feel naked, exposed, unprepared. So what do we do when we’re at the dinner table and need to re-apply? Or, how should we handle avoiding a lipstick stain on the rim of a glass or on our napkin? Follow these essential tips and uncover the truths about proper lipstick etiquette.
Rule #1 – Lipstick should be re-applied in the ladies room, particularly if one is out on a dinner date or attending a dinner meeting with the boss. Taking hold of the butter knife to use as a mirror just won’t do. Instead, one must politely excuse oneself and high tail it to the lieu. The only exception might be if you need to quickly re-apply for a spontaneous photo op with friends and can achieve this by pulling out your lip gloss without the aid of a mirror.
Rule #2 – Lips are for dainty dabbing. A dark or glossy lipstick stain left on the rim of the glass or left visible on your napkin, it is quite unappealing to those who view it. Take a moment and daintily pat your lips before taking a drink. This will not only maintain your lipstick, but it is also the mark of a poised and confident woman.
Lisa is the Co-founder & CEO of Beverly Hills Manners.

LOVE THOSE LONG LASHES

Sunday, November 29th, 2009

leeMirror, mirror on the wall what’s the best lash grower of them all?  Is it Latisse, RevitaLash, Jan Marini or possibly Nutra Luxe? With so many lash enchancers on the market, Beauty Undercover was desperate to find out which works best.  So we brought in the eye expert, Dr. Wendy Lee, from Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, to get the skinny on growing thick, beautiful lashes.

Lee did the clinical trials on Latisee for Allergan.  She says it’s the only FDA-approved lash enhancer on the market proven to increase length, thickness and darkness of  lashes. “During clinical trials, patients noticed an increase in lash length (average 2mm) after 6 weeks of use.”

 While there wasn’t such hard data for the other lash enhancers, Doctor Lee found they did have their own benefits. “They may contain proteins and vitamins that hydrate and nourish the lashes to promote the normal growth cycle of the lash, but they dont’ work exactly the same as Latisse,” explains Lee.  In addition, during the studies she found Latisse’s other side effects which can include everything from eye irritation to changes in pigmentation are very rare.   

Btw… Beauty Undercover hears that certain Westside patients are requesting doctors’ prescriptions for the drug Lumigan.  (Lumigan was used strictly as a drug prescribed to treat Glaucoma, until a far-sighted doctor realized it also made eyelashes grow.  It was the impetus for Latisse.) By running Lumigan through their medical insurance,  patients are seeing big savings … talk about fringe benefits!

MANPINION: INSIDE THE MALE MIND

Friday, November 27th, 2009

waxOk girls this story is a little racy!  But aren’t we always dying to know how the other side perceives us?  Beauty Undercover doesn’t just want to track the latest in trends and products, we also need to know what men are really thinking.   That’s why we’re unveiling our newest feature, the Manpinion. Today’s is by a high profile guy who doesn’t want to be identified.  So we put him in our Beauty Undercover Protection Program.  Just know this guy doesn’t think women should ever shave south of the equator…even if it’s between waxings.

By Anonymous
I have a new girlfriend. She’s beautiful, warm, positive and very sexy. Our first night in bed seemed effortless– flowed smoothly– but as I kissed my way below the duvet’s edge, I skidded into what felt like the wire brush I used to refinish my coffee table! I didn’t know what to say. Well, saying anything was out of the question but there was no way I was going to be able to please either of us with the freedom and abandon that I had in mind. (more…)

WIN A KINARA RED CARPET FACIAL

Saturday, November 14th, 2009

You want to win a red-carpet facial?  Today we’re are going to giveaway five Red Carpet Facial Kits (worth $145 each) to the first Beauty Undercover subscribers who email RED CARPETinfo@beautyundercover.com.  The Red Carpet Facial was developed by the uber-fabulous Kinara Spa on Robertson Blvd. (more…)

THE FLOOD OF FILLERS

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

Beverly Hills dermatologist Stuart H. Kaplan, counts some of the biggest names in music and film as FILLERhis clients. Recently he spoke with Beauty Undercover about the flood of fillers on the market and which work best.
Beauty Undercover:  Tell us, which fillers are most prevalent in the marketplace?
Dr.Kaplan:  There are so many fillers, and they each have their own advantages and disadvantages.  The three I use most often use:

  1. Radiesse:  It contains almost double the amount of product per syringe than other brands.  It also lasts longer than most fillers.
  2. Sculptra:  This is a volumizer.  While most fillers correct lines, Sculptra can fill the hollows of the cheeks, and can also be used to raise and strengthen cheekbones.
  3. Juvederm:  This is a hyaluronic acid product, and has a very smooth consistency.  It is versatile, and can be use to fill the folds around the mouth, and plump lips as well.  (more…)

THE EYE-BROWSER

Thursday, October 29th, 2009

EYEBROWIt’s all about the eyebrows.  Just ask brow guru and makeup artist Robert Bolanos who delights editors with his perfectly arched eyebrows and flawless application of makeup.  He is indispensable to countless actors, agents, managers and studio executives. 

Beauty Undercover:  What is your best advice for a tweezer-happy gal?
Robert Bolanos: Tweezer-happy gals need to look or imagine the correct balance of the
eyebrow to frame their own eyes and face shape.  Taking one or two eyebrow hairs from
one side does not mean you do the same to the other side.  Step away and take a look
at what you really might need to tweeze from the other side.  Some times the answer is
none. Always move, on the side of caution. (more…)

IT’S ALL ABOUT TWILIGHTS!

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

robert-pattinson_lLater this month young girls will be lining up to see Rob Pattison in the new Twilight film. Not only has the film spawned a love
for vampires, but Pattisons highlights have started a new trend. That is all thanks to Beverly Hills colorist and salon-owner,
Stuart Gavert, who coined the word for Pattison’s hair “twilights.” It’s something we should all know about since it can save money
and time with fewer trips to the hairdresser. (more…)


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