My New Favorite Product: Urban Decay 24/7 Concealer Pencil

I have a massive problem when it comes to concealer. Not a single one seems to work on me! Either it's too light, or too dark ... too cakey, or too dry. No matter which brand or form I try, it just never seems to work out.

That is, until I discovered Urban Decay 24/7 Concealer Pencil. This baby does the trick every time I need to cover something up, whether it's a god-forsaken pimple, a bit too much redness or even dark under-eye circles.

What I love most about this product is the blendability. It comes in a stick form, but it's a chubby pencil that really blends into the skin remarkably well. I've been using it in Light, which is the absolute perfect shade for my extremely pale complexion. It disappears instantly, never making it look like I'm wearing concealer at all -- yet at the same time it hides each and every imperfection! But for gals with different complexions than mine, it comes in three other shades:

Light-Medium
Medium
Medium-Dark

And since it's formulated with Vitamin E, it moisturizes and conditions while providing ample coverage. Urban Decay even added in a new ingredient called Microsponge, which works to absorb excess oil and prevent future breakouts! Not too shabby, right?

Urban Decay 24/7 Concealer Pencil is available at urbandecay.com for $16.

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First Look Fridays: Jessica Matlin of Allure's Daily Beauty Reporter

I am utterly pleased to bring you this week's edition of First Look Fridays, featuring the fabulous Jessica Matlin of Allure's Daily Beauty Reporter! Jessica and I go way back ... she interned in the beauty department at Harper's Bazaar when I was the Fashion Credits Editor there. We even co-wrote the Best Tressed List in the September 2003 issue! And I've loved seeing her progression through the beauty world, including stints at O and Allure and now her very own blog on Allure's website. Jessica's enthusiasm for beauty products is unparalleled, and her writing is so engaging that you'd be crazy not to smile and nod along with every post. Read on to discover more about this amazing gal!



Can you tell me a little about yourself?
I grew up in Marlboro, NJ, where I spent a lot of time doing arts and crafts with a fashion bent: I made my own fake fashion and beauty magazines, created collages out of fashion spreads, and practiced makeup in the mirror. I was also really into music and loved going to concerts with my older brother and my friends. I went to Rutgers University to study journalism and art history, and several days a week for three years of college, I went into the city and interned at every single one of my favorite magazines. The experience was fantastic. I made some good friends, and I learned tons.

How did you first become interested in beauty?
I don't know how it started -- I just always was. From as long as I can remember, I used to ask my mom for all of the free gift-with-purchase samples to play with, and she obliged. Before I realized how much fun it was to actually apply the products, I thought the little jars of cream and lipsticks were just the most gorgeous things on their own.

How did you come to be involved in writing for Allure's Daily Beauty Reporter?
When I heard that Allure was launching a blog, I was really interested. I'd once been a staff writer for the magazine and had enjoyed the type of reporting I was able to do.

What have been some of the highlights of having your blog?
I love being able to share my passion for beauty products and suggest my favorites for other beauty obsessives. I've been writing little lists of my recommended products (by request, of course) for my friends since I was in high school, and this is kind of like that, only on a way more sophisticated scale.

Of course, I don't have all of the answers, so I love chatting with the experts to see which products and techniques are making their jobs easier and more fun.

What are your top 5 beauty essentials and why?
They change a few times a year -- it's part of my job to constantly refresh my kit -- but these five have been holding steady for some time.

1) Estee Lauder Turbolash Mascara: In addition to thickening, lengthening and curling lashes, this vibrating mascara deposits the pigment so deep into your lash line that it actually defines your eyes. Sometimes, I realize I don't even need eyeliner after applying it.

2) SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF Serum: This antioxidant-packed serum immediately absorbs into the skin, so you can't even tell you're wearing serum. No stickiness, no peeling. It's perfect.

3) Elemis Pro-Collagen Oxygenating Night Cream: This is the lightest, silkiest night cream I've ever used. Also, I'm convinced it makes my pores look smaller in the a.m.

4) Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer: This tinted moisturizer has enough opacity to make a noticeable difference, but not enough that it looks like you're wearing foundation. It'll just make you look like you have beautiful, glowing skin.

5) Clinique Cream Shaper for Eyes: This liner feels like a creamy, deeply pigmented eyeshadow packed into pencil form. It's not for detail work, but rather gorgeous, thick strokes.

What brands can you simply not live without?
I think every brand has some great products, but there are a few I feel do almost everything they make exceptionally well. Here they are:

1) Clinique: I love how soft their makeup is. It's never a struggle to blend or apply.

2) M.A.C: Their color palette is unrivaled, and I love their color stories. So creative.

3) Elemis: The line's textures are beautiful, and nothing ever feels weighty on the skin.

4) Kevyn Aucoin: The colors are often so offbeat, the product selection is so focused, and the packaging is the most beautiful in my book. And because it's Kevyn's baby, I'm always inspired to step up my game when I use it.

5) Darphin: Whenever I use a Darphin product, I feel like I'm getting a spa treatment. Their products are aromatherapeutic.

Playing with products must be fun -- but what are some things you do for fun outside of blogging?
I love going to museums (any kind); watching documentaries; reading books, newspapers, magazines and blogs; and hanging out with people I love.

Thanks so much to the fabulous Jessica Matlin for this interview. Be sure to check out Allure's Daily Beauty Reporter to get her tips and tricks on the latest and greatest products and treatments out there. This is one beauty chick who surely knows what she's talking about!

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Color and Sun Protection in One with Benefit Benetint Lip Balm SPF 15

Loyal readers will already know that I am a lipgloss and lip balm fanatic. But unfortunately, many of my faves don't come with SPF! Luckily, Benefit Benetint Lip Balm SPF 15 comes packed with -- you guessed it -- sunscreen! Now I can slick on lip balm and know that my lips are uber-protected at the same time.

Already a huge fan of the original Benetint, I was totally jonesing for this new version. It's formulated with not only SPF 15 but Vitamin E as well -- which means it's totally moisturizing and conditions lips to the point of exhaustion. The tiniest bit really makes your pout feel so super soft!

And the color, oh, the color. I am in love with the light red hue that comes out of the tub and onto the lips so effortlessly. It makes lips look seriously juicy and just emits the perfect shade of just-bitten red.

You can get your own tub for $20 at benefitcosmetics.com. You can bet this has found a permanent home in my handbag!

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Beauty Questions: What's Your Biggest Beauty Mishap?

We've all been there. Sprayed on too much of a horrible perfume, lined our eyes with a color that could only be described as ugly, used the wrong shade of foundation without enough time to take it off. So my question of the day is this. What's your biggest beauty mishap? Mine would have to be what I just did on Monday morning. There I was, flat ironing my hair without a care in the world ... and all of a sudden, I clamped the entire flat iron down on my left hand. I now have three burns that I'm nursing with gauze and lots of Neosporin.

So I ask you, what's your biggest beauty mishap? It doesn't have to be as dramatic as mine. It could be picking the wrong shade of lipgloss for a night out on the town! Let me know in the comments!

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Lusts of the Week

Well, fall is officially here! I've been wearing my elbow length gloves and my wool peacoat all week. I guess I didn't think this day would actually come! When I'm not shivering in my Uggs, though, I'm playing with tons of products. And here are the ones impressing me this week!

H20+ Night Oasis Overnight Eye Complex ($30 at h20plus.com): I am loving everything about this product. The packaging is genius ... the bright turquoise hue is to die for ... and the cooling effect left behind by the gel applied to the eye area is utterly fabulous. While I'm not sure it can replace my La Mer, it sure does get up there as one of the eye creams to keep on the nightstand.

T3 Refresh Volumizing Dry Shampoo ($25 at sephora.com): I've never been a huge dry shampoo fan. I've always found that they somehow make my hair more greasy. But this one is totally different. A few spritzes around the roots and I can actually keep a blowout going for three days! Plus I love that it comes in Dark Tone, which means it blends right into my deep brown hair without any traces of product left behind.

Aveda Light Elements Smoothing Fluid ($24 at aveda.com): Well, I never thought I'd see the day that something could replace my Frederic Fekkai Anti Frizz Silkening Creme. But this one really does the job. My locks are smoother, silkier and shinier than I thought possible -- and with absolutely no frizz!

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Trend-Filled Thursdays: The Tomato Red Lip

Leighton Meester does it. Rachel Weisz and Scarlett Johansson do it, too. Even Rose McGowan is getting in on the action. Forget the deep red lip of seasons past -- this season is all about the tomato red lip.

At the Tibi fashion show this past September, makeup artist Gucci Westman confided to me that the absolutely perfect lip color for spring is tomato red. And whether you find a lipstick in that shade or build a few different lipsticks and glosses over each other to create the tomato red hue, you'll be totally rockin' with this trend. Check out the perfect products after the other celeb photos!







Napoleon Perdis Colour Disc #70 Red Shimmer ($22 at dermstore.com): This cheek, eye and lip color looks gorgeous and juicy when paired with a clear gloss.



Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush Lip Gloss in Cherry Amour ($7 at victoriassecret.com): I'm a huge fan of every Beauty Rush lipgloss. And this one is totally perfect for the tomato red trend -- it's not sticky or tacky at all, and deposits just the right amount of color when you don't want to go full on red.



Mally Beauty Lipstick in Zooey Doll ($15 at Henri Bendel, NYC): Why is it named Zooey? Why, for Zooey Deschanel, of course! This sheer red lipstick was created for the starlet at her premiere for the movie Failure to Launch. And while the movie might have, well, failed to launch, this lipstick most certainly does not fail to launch the tomato red lip trend!



Bonne Bell VitaGloss20 A Splash of Color in Sheer Cherry ($3.50 at colorandflavorshop.com): Splash of color is right! It glows, it glistens, it veritably sings upon the lips. How could your pout be any juicier and full of color?



Elizabeth Arden Color Intrigue Effects Lipstick in Poppy Cream ($19.50 at elizabetharden.com): This lipstick is seriously exactly the right shade of tomato red. Plus it's unbelievably creamy and makes lips feel so conditioned and smooth.



M.A.C Matte Lipstick in Lady Danger ($14 at maccosmetics.com): This is the absolute perfect shade of tomato red in a matte form that sits upon the lips without becoming chalky or pasty. Even better, it lasts for hours with no flaking or smearing! And I totally love the subtle orangey tint.

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New Uses for Existing Products: Namely, M.A.C Wipes

We've all done it. Spritzed on a perfume we thought we would like ... or gone a little spray happy with a perfume we already knew we liked ... and then what happens? We end up smelling terrible. I've experienced both of the afore-mentioned traumas in the past week, and let me tell you -- I really don't know which is worse. Whether I'm smelling a terrible perfume (at the time it was the new one by Victoria's Secret, Wish) or realize I went a bit trigger happy with one I actually like (such as Jo Malone Red Roses Cologne), it's really not fun to sit in a cubicle hating the way I smell all day.

But luckily, the lovely Heather from M.A.C and I came up with a solution. When I told her about how horrible Wish was and how I couldn't stand it being on me all day, she immediately came to the rescue with an absolutely ingenious notion. "Why not rub some M.A.C Wipes on your skin to get rid of the smell?" she asked. GENIUS! Meant to be used as makeup cleanser, these wipes came to the rescue immediately. A quick rub over the offending area and I was good as new within seconds. Literally, the scent was gone.

To put this experiment to the test yourself, head to M.A.C's website and pick up your own pack immediately. A bulk pack of 100 sheets is $25.

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Beauty Deals: Givenchy Luxe Love Collection

Have you tried Givenchy Phenomen'Eyes yet? Well, if not, now's your chance! Purchase Givenchy's Phenomen'Eyes and Absolutely Irresistible Roll-On Fragrance and you'll get a gorgeous pink pouch packed with four amazing products. You'll receive all of the following:

No Surgetics Wrinkle Reducer
Subli'mine Fluid Foundation
Continuous Color Radiance Lip Gloss
Very Irresistible Givenchy Sensual

You can get this entire collection for only $52 on sephora.com! Simply enter code LOVELUXE at checkout. Happy shopping!

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Wallet-Friendly Wednesdays: Lucky Chick Shower Gel

I'm a shower gel junkie. Well, maybe more like a shower gel aficionado. At any given time, I have at least 10 shower gels jumbled up around my shower -- no easy feat, considering it's a stall one! (Luckily, I have a fair amount of storage space in there.) But one shower gel I'm totally jonesing over at the moment? None other than Lucky Chick Shower Gel.

This gorgeous purple gel contains a deliciously fragrant blend of mimosa, jasmine and violet that really brightens up even the gloomiest of days. It smells utterly sweet and unbelievably sensuous all at once. And with colder temperatures setting in, I want nothing else than reminders that spring and beauty are still out there.

And as if the color and scent aren't enough, the lather certainly doesn't disappoint. A small amount on a pouf or washrag produces the most amazing amount of suds and bubbles! It's a veritable plethora of suds the likes of which my pouf hasn't seen in quite some time.

Best of all? For a limited time, it's only $9.50 on beautyofasite.com. (It's usually $16.) There's no reason to delay in purchasing it -- your shower will most certainly thank you.

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Two-For Tuesdays: Philosophy The Holiday Party

Holidays. It might be a little early to think about them, as it's not even Halloween yet. But you know what? I so don't care. At the Philosophy Holiday Preview last week, I came across this duo -- The Holiday Party -- and simply had to check it out immediately.

As soon as my eyes fell upon this duo, packed with the brand's high-foaming 3-in-1s, I just knew I had to check it out. And the fact that the scents are pomegranate and lavender? Totally loving it. Each smells utterly unbelievable, and the scents linger just enough on the skin to make perfume unnecessary yet not completely off limits.

And what do I mean by the term 3-in-1? If you're as yet unfamiliar with Philosophy's signature product -- and shame on you, if you are! -- then here's a quick explanation. Each bottle can be used as bubble bath, shower gel and shampoo. And trust this beauty chick -- and her Chief Technology Officer! -- when we say they work.

So what will something like this set you back? Only a measly $28 on philosophy.com. It's time to celebrate.

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Yes to Cucumbers and Tomatoes Giveaway: Winners Announced!

After a whopping 857 entries in the Yes to Cucumbers and Tomatoes Giveaway, we have our four winners! Congratulations to the following gals who have won eight products retailing at $80!

Laura Schwartz
Teresa Holder
Rory Sanders
Nelli_s7

Nelli, if you're reading this, please enter your mailing address ASAP so I can get the giveaway prize out to you.

Congratulations to the winners -- and everyone else, keep checking back for more giveaways here at The Beauty of Life!

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Beauty Giveaway: Harajuku Lovers Fragrance Collection

Are you enthralled with the Harajuku Girls? Then you're going to absolutely love the latest giveaway here at The Beauty of Life! One lucky winner will receive all five fragrances in the collection. This prize has a retail value of $225! And yes, you read that correctly. Enter below for your chance to win the following absolutely adorable fragrance bottles:

Love: The caring and free-spirited one of the bunch, with notes of pink pomelo, rose and creamy vanilla orchid.

Lil' Angel: The sassy, sexy and cool gal, with notes of pineapple, candied violet and lollipop accord.

Music: Charismatic and stylin', with notes of pear, sweet pea and sleek wood.

Baby: Totally girly and sweet, with notes of white rose, orange flower and white musk.

And of course, G: The leader of the pack! Quirky and unique with notes of fresh coconut, jasmine and cotton woods.

Entering is super-easy. Just enter your name and email address in the box below, and check back on Friday, October 31 to see if you've won. It's that simple!



This giveaway is open to US residents only. Giveaway runs until Thursday, October 30 at 11:55pm EST. One entry per person, email address and IP address. Multiple entries will be disqualified.

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Must-Have Mondays: Chanel Haute Chocolat Nail Polish

I am fairly obsessed with brown nail polish. When I was in high school, I used to search all over the mall for the perfect brown polish colors -- usually picking up tons of bottles from Old Navy and Afterthoughts! Combine that with my love for the annual Color of the Year Contest sponsored by Seventeen, in which people have the opportunity to create a nail color that could be picked up by CHANEL, and Haute Chocolat is a total winner.

Created by 19-year-old Amy Gonzo, Haute Chocolat is the absolute perfect shade of deep brown that looks fabulous on tips and toes. It's run through with shimmer to really make the cocoa hue pop -- and it goes on unbelievably slick and creamy.

If you're a chocolate lover, then this is totally a polish for your arsenal. It's completely and utterly unique -- I've never seen a polish like it before. And even just having the bottle in your collection is a total indulgence and luxury.

At $20 on Chanel's website, this polish isn't cheap. But this polish is so, well, haute -- your nails will be gorgeous for days on end. And look at it this way -- you'll have a piece of the design house for way cheaper than the quilted black leather handbag with chainlink strap!

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Support Breast Cancer Awareness: Archipelago Botanicals Ribbons of Love Fragrance Diffuser

Now, I'm usually not a diffuser lover. I much prefer candles to a fragrance bottle filled with reeds -- even if they are really pretty to look at. But after my boss literally raved about the amazingness of the Archipelago Botanicals line of diffusers, I knew I had to give them a try. And then I came across the Ribbons of Love Fragrance Diffuser.

"Perfect," I thought to myself. "Not only can I test out a fragrance diffuser and appease my boss, but I can do something to support breast cancer awareness at the same time."

Because the great thing about this bottle is that it was created with the specific purpose of fighting this terrible disease. A portion of proceeds from the $50 price tag will be donated to the City of Hope Cancer Research Hospital in Los Angeles. So while you're sitting in your apartment, your house or your office, why not drop the reeds into the pink bottle and let the scent of pink grapefruit, pomelo and clementine wash over you ... especially since the substantial pink bottle is inscribed with the names of 120 women of Archipelago?

The diffuser is available on amazon.com for the aforementioned $50. And if this diffuser novice can become a convert, you can too.

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First Look Fridays: The Beauty of Life's Chief Technology Officer, Katie Reed

I am pleased and thrilled to bring you a very special edition of First Look Fridays. Loyal readers of The Beauty of Life will already know about my fabulous best friend and partner in crime, the lovely and talented Miss Katie Reed. Well, Katie has very graciously taken on the position of Chief Technology Officer for the site -- which means she helps with everything from font choices to HTML coding and, of course, throws in her two cents on products as well! Read on to discover more about this fascinating gal that I'm proud to call not only my best friend, but my Chief Technology Officer!



Can you tell me a bit about yourself?
I'm from the same place as our much-beloved "Beauty Chick!" We're both native Clevelanders, and have been friends since we were 10. After high school, I went to college at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA, where I studied Technical Writing. I worked for a few years as a web designer, and then moved to Boston and went to graduate school at Boston University for historic preservation. Now I'm Executive Director of a small non-profit that focuses on keeping historic neighborhood commercial districts vibrant.

When did you first become interested in makeup? What peaked your interest?
I loved to play dress-up with my grandma when I was a little girl. She would let me wear her lipstick and nail polishes -- and I was sure I looked fabulous! As a teen, I didn't wear a whole lot of makeup, although I did have a pretty good stash of supplies. I think it was because my mom wore makeup every day and I wanted to be different. As I've grown older, I've realized that makeup can be a fun way to accent your qualities and pamper yourself a bit. I like to wear light, fresh makeup on a daily basis, and jazz it up at night. I think being friends with Jamie and learning so much about makeup from her has made me an even bigger fan!

What is your daily beauty and skincare regimen?
I have oily skin and have fought acne since I was a preteen. I've got it mostly beaten by washing twice daily with Neutrogena Acne Wash. That stuff is a godsend. In the morning I use either Sonia Kashuk Tinted Moisturizer from Target or Clinique Superdefense. I use L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara in Brown, which is good for me because it adds length, not a lot of thickness. With my fair features, it's the best fit for me. I also line my eyes with NARS eyeshadow in brown or green to add some definition, but no harsh lines. At night I moisturize my legs, elbows and feet with Clinique Deep Comfort Body Butter.

What are your top 5 beauty essentials?
1) Urban Decay Primer Potion -- Lives up to all the hype! Eyeshadow lasts all day.

2) Diesel Fuel for Life Pour Femme -- This woody, sexy scent is perfect no matter the season or the situation.

3) Maybelline Shiny-licious Lip Gloss -- The sparkles in this stuff give it a wet, glowy look. The scents are fun and the formula isn't the least bit sticky.

4) Philosophy Shampoo and Shower Gels -- I love baths, and I use this stuff to wash my hair in the tub while I soak. Hot Cocoa is my fave!

5) Nail Polish -- Anything from Wet 'n Wild and Sally Hansen to China Glaze and OPI -- fun and funky nail polish gives life an unexpected dash of color.

What brands can you simply not live without?
NARS
Clinique
M.A.C
Jo Malone
Bonne Bell
Jaqua
Kiehl's
China Glaze
Too Faced

When not working on The Beauty of Life, what do you do for fun?
I'm a big Cleveland Indians fan, and I love everything baseball-related -- books, movies, memorabilia, whatever! I'm a huge planning and architecture junkie, so I read a lot of books and magazines on those subjects. I also knit and crochet a lot -- the girls in my Stitch n Bitch are some of my closest friends in Boston. I like to swim, ski, do yoga and Pilates, and hit the spa whenever I have the cash. My husband and I lead pretty busy lives, but when we're together we love to cook and explore fun and funky urban neighborhoods.

Thanks so much to the fabulous Katie Reed -- The Beauty of Life's very own Chief Technology Officer -- for granting this interview! Be on the lookout for more of her ever-important work around the site!

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Toasty Warm with Philosophy Warm by the Fire

Fall is most definitely upon us. I actually had to pull out my Uggs for the first time this week! Luckily, I have my Philosophy Warm by the Fire set handy to keep me toasty warm.

This set is "inspired by the simple pleasure of sipping hot cocoa and roasting marshmallows over a crackling fire," according to Philosophy's website. And boy, does it ever deliver! Each of the three items in this set really do make you feel like roasting S'mores and cozying up under a thick blanket near the fireplace.

Take, for example, the Melting Marshmallow Cream Body Souffle. It smells exactly like marshmallows, and when rubbed into the skin leaves it feeling delectably soft and smooth while not becoming greasy or cloyingly sweet. The Double Rich Hot Cocoa Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath that accompanies it is so deliciously rich in scent and lathers up unbelievably well. And finally, the Ooey Gooey S'mores Flavored Lip Shine isn't at all sticky or tacky; rather, it will make lips feel so glossy and shiny and, of course, it tastes fabulous!

The entire set is packaged in an adorable box that looks just like logs sitting on the fire. And at $25 on philosophy.com or sephora.com, it's quite well-priced! So throw another log on that fire and, well, warm up.

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Beautiful Belles: Olivia Newton-John

A series focusing on beautiful women throughout history with important contributions to the arts and entertainment industry and charity -- and a fabulous sense of beauty, inside and out!

My brother and I had a list of movies on rotation throughout our childhood. And one of our undeniable faves? Grease, of course! I loved the singing, the dancing, the absolute absurdity of it all. (And looking at John Travolta sure didn't hurt.) But every time I watched, I was left with just a twinge of guilt ... because Olivia Newton-John was just perfect. From her blonde hair to her big blue eyes, her sweet voice with her Australian accent to her fab moves at the high school dance, I just wanted to be her. And I was obviously not alone, as Grease is one of the most popular movies and most frequently done shows of all time!

Born in Cambridge, England in 1948, Olivia was the granddaughter of Nobel Prize-winning physicist Max Born. At 5, her family moved to Melbourne, Australia, where she began singing and performing on TV as early as 15 years old. After a short run with a self-formed girl group, Sol Four, Olivia won a talent contest on the TV show Sing, Sing, Sing. She recorded the US album Let Me Be There in 1973, which catapulted her to superstardom with a Grammy Award for Best Country Vocalist. And with the offer to be in Grease in 1978 -- a role she originally turned down because she feared that at almost 30, she was too old to play the part -- the rest is history.



The role of Sandy -- the sweet, innocent girl from Australia who captures the heart of John Travolta's Danny -- catapulted Olivia to superstardom. Roles in movies such as the critically failed but cult favorite Xanadu -- the movie with the ever-popular roller skates and people outlined in purple -- followed. So did a stunning five #1 hits and 15 top 10 singles on the Billboard charts, including I Honestly Love You and Don't Stop Believin'. So did collaborations with megastars like Andy Gibb and even an Order of the British Empire bestowed on her by Queen Elizabeth in 1979.




During the 90s, Olivia unfortunately suffered a bout with breast cancer. But even this was not enough to dampen her positive spirit or her glowing visage, as she worked with charity after charity and even set up the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre on the Austin Campus in Melbourne to educate people about the disease. No one can say Olivia has not worked tirelessly with a variety of different charities, including the American Red Cross, Environmental Media Association, the Women’s Guild of Cedar-Sinai Medical Center, the Rainforest Alliance and Concept Cure.

Through all of this, Olivia has looked absolutely stunning. Her signature blonde locks -- whether left long and flowing in the 70s, sheared short in the 80s or cut into a beautiful bob in the 90s and current day -- are the perfect shade of honey. And her big blue eyes are always accentuated just right with a small swipe of eyeliner, while her clear skin is free and glowing. And my fave part? The peach or pink lipgloss that has accompanied her throughout her entire career!









Today, Olivia is still singing and acting occasionally, and continuing her charity work. She is truly the exemplification of a Beautiful Belle.

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Trend-Filled Thursdays: Orange and Black Products

Halloween is just around the corner, and you know what that means ... time for skeletons, witches and candy corn. But in the beauty world, it means only one thing -- orange and black products! So whether you're into orange eyeshadow or the season's biggest trend, black lipstick (click here for more details on that one), there are tons of fab options out there for you.

BLACK PRODUCTS

Philosophy Black Licorice High Foaming Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath ($16 at philosophy.com): I'm telling the absolute truth when I say this gives off the exact aroma of black licorice. And while I hate the taste of this candy, I love the smell -- so I'm incredibly thrilled to lather up with it every day!

Pop Beauty Eye Class in Smokey Eyes ($32 at sephora.com): 12 shades of shadow, from brown to grey, mean you can create a plethora of gorgeous eye looks. I personally can't wait to use smoky steel grey.


Noir Cosmetics Ultra Rich Black Eye Pencil ($15 at noircosmetics.com): The perfect thick eye pencil that draws a precise line so fabulously rich, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better smoky eye anywhere.


Estee Lauder TurboLash All Effects Motion Mascara ($30 at esteelauder.com): Much talk has been made of the new vibrating mascara trend, and this is one of the best. If you don't mind that it vibrates as soon as you unscrew the cap, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the length and plushness it provides even the most spidery lashes.

ORANGE PRODUCTS

Slatkin & Co. Boxed Filled Candle in Pumpkin ($12.25 at bathandbodyworks.com): I've been obsessing over this candle ever since the temperature dropped below 60 degrees. Not only does it smell exactly like pumpkin seeds roasting in the oven, the jar is emblazoned with -- you guessed it -- orange pumpkins! But my fave part? The 50-hour burn time, which means I can indulge in pumpkiny goodness for a long time to come.

Essie Nail Polish in Alligator Purse ($8 at essieshop.com): Looking for a creamy polish that looks perfect no matter what the season -- but especially fits in with the cool temperatures of fall? Well, this one is it. And the best part? It looks great on tips and toes!

Jaqua Peach Parfait Exfoliating Body Polish ($14 at jaquabeauty.com): One of my all-time fave body scrubs? Definitely. This one exfoliates like there's no tomorrow, and doesn't leave skin feeling the least bit greasy or oily. Plus, it smells absolutely fantastic -- the scent of peach just encourages you to keep sniffing and sniffing!

Lancome Juicy Tubes Maharani Jewels in Guava Enchantment ($18 at lancome-usa.com): Ahh, Juicy Tubes. How I love you ... let me count the ways. Seriously, though, this is just the latest in a long string of Juicy Tubes I'm excited to put in my personal collection! It's glossy, gorgeous and utterly, well, juicy!

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