a shocking revelation

Tom and Suri Cruise in Saint Jean Cap Ferrat in the South of France on June 19
Courtesy people.com

Minnesota Nice Midwest just pointed out that Suri Cruise has essentially the same haircut that Posh, Tom and Katie share.

Does their hair need to be cut that way so the tinfoil helmets fit right?

richie rich

Bernard Arnault, courtesy forbes.com

A couple of weeks ago, Forbes published their list of the richest people in the world. Bill Gates is still #1, with $56 billion, but the person I fantasize about finding myself secretly related to is Bernard Arnault, CEO of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. Arnault is worth a mere $26 billion, but his company owns such iconic brands as Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Fendi, Donna Karan, Givenchy, Pucci, Sephora, Parfums Christian Dior, Guerlain, Benefit Cosmetics, Fresh, Makeup For Ever, Parfums Givenchy, Aqua di Parma, Tag Heuer, De Beers, Le Bon Marché, Moët and Chandon, Dom Pérignon, and Veuve Clicquot, among others. (For a full list, visit www.lvmh.com.)

I think I'm going to start writing Bernard letters calling him Daddy.

the rapture has arrived

Kiehls is at Target!

However, it is still prohibitively expensive (not that that has ever stopped me before) ...

www.kiehls.com

seriously?

Get the Look: Urban Decay, courtesy sephora.com

This is Sephora's idea of a beauty trend worth re-creating at home? Once again, proof positive that you should never trust people who are trying to sell you things.

tips from the pros

amazon.com

I recently bought the best book ever. Confessions of a Beauty Editor is written by Linda Wells, the founding editor in chief of Allure. Great tips and the best part? No hidden agenda. Meaning Ms. Wells does not try and hawk products for the reader to buy.

Curious? Intrigued? Well, here is something to wet your palette:
(Adapted from Confessions of a Beauty Editor, page 23)

Anti-aging tips:

20s: Prevention
To prevent premature aging, start using sunscreen and antioxidants. If you have had a lot of sun exposure, you may want to try using an over-the-counter retinol cream at night.

30s: Exfoliation
As you age, the skin starts to thin. Not only should you be using sunscreen and antioxidants but you should also use a night cream that contains retinoids and alpha hydrox acids. Also, once a month do a glycolic peel or at-home microdermabrasion at least once a month.

40s: Stimulation
Turning 40 usually means fine lines and sagginess. MDs can offer stronger prescription retinoids and skin lightening formulas (to remove age spots). Home peels and/or microdermabrasion should be applied on a weekly basis.

50+: Firming
Sagging and wrinkles are now a fact of life. Dermatologists recommend applying a copper peptide cream, which can help the slow the "fall" of skin every night. Retinoids are probably becoming drying; moisturizers with petrolatum and hyaluronic acid will help. Treatments such a microdermabrasion are usually best left up the the pros.

And now for my tip:
NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF SUNSCREEN. EVERYDAY. NO MATTER CLOUDY IT IS.

rain drops on roses and whiskers on kittens...

....These are a few of my favorite things (insert Julie Andrews making dresses out of curtains here).

I was up late one night, watching Cheaters (thanks Joey Greco, for teaching me to love again) and eating chips and cheese, when an infomerical for Sheer Cover came on. Sheer Cover is a mineral-based makeup from Leeza Gibbons.

She has been called a social entrepreneur, but if you ask Leeza Gibbons what she does, she'll simply answer "I'm a storyteller."

I watched, in rapt attention, as Melissa Gilbert (from Little House on The Prairie. Michael Landon was her TV father; everything she says must be true!) showed me how Sheer Cover covered her fine lines and wrinkles.

(Side note: How did the business relationship between Leeza Gibbons and Melissa Gilbert come to fruition?)

After watching for about an hour, I had to order it. It came about 2 weeks later and I must say I am impressed! It does cover pores and pimples without making you look like a mannequin. It is also very light and blends well.

Laura Ingalls Wilder, you've done it again!

public service announcement

I know, I know. When it comes to skin, there is a fine line between porcelain and verge-of-death. As a girl who skates dangerously on the shoulder of the latter, I understand your pain.

But please, let this be your warning to lay off the tanning bed:

TIP OF THE DAY: Wear sunscreen on the backs of your hands to avoid age spots.

favorite things

I am a great believer in blush. I think every woman should wear it. However, it is hard to find a good color... especially one that doesn't scream "clown!". I am in LOVE with O-Glow by Smashbox. It starts out clear and once it hits your skin it turns the color you naturally blush. Brilliant.

Sephora.com