Star Studded Cast of Torch Bearers Hits Vancouver

Celebrities Added to Final Days of Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay

If you’re visiting downtown Vancouver on Friday morning (February 12th) and think you just saw Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger carrying the Olympic torch, your imagination is not running wild. The star of The Terminator and the California legislature will be making an appearance as an official Olympic torch bearer as the relay hits the Stanley Park Seawall walkway just after 7 am PST.

Fans of Michael Buble can see the singer carrying the Olympic torch in Vancouver on Thursday, February 11th along Pacific Street from Howe to Richards at approximately 8:00 pm PST.

The Bachelor: Meet My Parents

Haven’t We Been Here Before

Jake crosses the country to meet the families of Gia, Ali, Tenley, and Vienna. He thinks all the drama is over but is it just about to heat up again?

New York, New York: Jake and Gia take a romantic ride down the Hudson River where Jake
plays photographer and psychoanalyst. He wonders about Gia’s past relationships. She tells
Jake about a “bad guy” who cheated on her and her last boyfriend (the professional baseball
player?) who she fought with all the time.

Nikki Yanofsky Hits the Right Note

A Song You Can Believe in

Nikki Yanofsky may not be a household name yet, but the singer soon will be with the release of the song I Believe for the Vancouver 2010 Games. The 16-year old prodigy has been well received in jazz venues for several years, and now the inspirational Olympic tune is sure to bring the Montreal native plenty of mainstream attention.

The song was composed by award-‑winning Canadian composer, Stephan Moccio who has written songs for Céline Dion, Josh Groban, and Sarah Brightman. Moccio collaborated on the lyrics with Alan Frew of Glass Tiger. Hailed as a young Ella Fitzgerald, Yanofsky was the clear choice of the co-writers to sing I Believe: “Alan and I were very passionate about her voice from the beginning. We really want to see a young girl represented and Canada to be introduced to a new voice.”

Stiff Competition for Cuteness at this Year’s Puppy Bowl

Let the Games Begin!

If you’re not a football fan, tune in with millions of other non-sporty types to the sixth consecutive year of the Animal Planet Puppy Bowl (3-5 pm E/P on Animal Planet on Sunday, February 7th).

This year’s lineup features 20 puppy players who will take to a miniature indoor football field to compete in a showdown of cuteness. You can watch the live action as puppies rough and tumble with each other (and some toys) while demonstrating athletic excellence. To maintain sportsdoglike conduct, a referee will oversee puppy fouls and penalties like “unnecessary ruffness.”

Touchdown for Chanel

Image: This Next

Sporty Accessories from Chanel

With the Super Bowl just around the corner, you may need an extra pigskin for a quick pickup game during half time. If your stocks are in the black, Chanel has the perfect designer football for you at $195.

What’s unique about a Chanel football? A channel logo, of course. The black and white colors of this sports accessory also set it apart from the brown and white markings of the football you’ll see for the Super Bowl at Dolphin Stadium on February 7th.

The Chanel branded football is part of the Chanel Sport Accessories collection and can be purchased at select Chanel boutiques.

SI Cover of Lindsey Vonn Ignites Controversy

Sports Action Pose or Sexualized Pose?

Usually, it’s the annual swimsuit issue of Sports Illustrated that raises eyebrows. The center of the firestorm this time is the cover shot of US skier, Lindsay Vonn, two-time World Cup Champion on the Winter Olympics preview issue.

The controversy surrounds the pose of the skier, who is bent over in what some critics call a “sexualized” position. Others contend the cover focuses too much on Vonn’s appearance (sophisticated makeup and flowing hair) which detracts from her athletic abilities.

Leading the criticism is Dr. Nicole M. LaVoi who writes on her blog: “When females are featured on the cover of SI, they are more likely than not to be in sexualized poses and not in action-and the most recent Vonn cover is no exception.” She considers Vonn’s pose as a “passive shot,” in which she provocatively smiles at the camera while simulating skiing.

Bounce Technology for Thicker Hair

Lightweight Cream for Noticeably Thicker Hair

Now that extensions are available to the masses, the race is on for thicker, fuller hair. If you’re not up for extension tricks ‘n tracks, Full Thickening Cream from Living Proof may be your best bet for more fullness and body.

Flat hair is the result of fine hair that lays flat, one on top of the other. Full Thickening Cream is a lightweight formula with a new technology, called Poly Beta Amino Ester-1, that creates thickening points on each strand. With volume lasting throughout the day, fans of the unique bounce technology gush about the natural movement and shape they get from the cream.

Take it all Off with Aloe and Vitamin E

Aloe Vera Based Eye Makeup Remover

With beauty trends like smoky eyes and winged eyeliner, you need a gentle makeup remover that can whisk away even the most stubborn makeup. The Green Beaver Eye Make-up Remover with natural emollients thoroughly removes all traces of eye makeup from clumpy mascara to thick eyeliner without irritation.

Suitable for sensitive skin, the Green Beaver Eye Make-up Remover is a unique lotion with a calming blend of Aloe Vera and Vitamin E to condition the eye area and strengthen lashes. Natural emollients derived from the seeds of various plants dissolve makeup without over-drying.

Just squeeze a small amount of the eye makeup remover from the tube on a cotton pad and gently swipe away. Eye makeup comes off easily without tugging or pulling that can age delicate skin. If you love the cool and clean feeling you get from this makeup remover, go ahead and multi-task by removing facial makeup as well.

Fight the Freeze with a Trapper Hat

Hats that Make a Big Flap

They may be the hat of choice in rugged frontiers like the Yukon and Siberia, but trapper hats are a new find in chilly urban centers this winter.

Perfect for the current frigid temperatures across the globe, this stylish accessory is warming up celebrities like Rihanna, Elle MacPherson, and Lily Allen.

Trapper hats not only keep you warm (around 10 per cent of body heat is lost through the head in cold weather), the sassy hat with ear flaps can be the centerpiece of your outerwear.

The Bachelor: Ballad of San Francisco

It’s not the Sex Appeal, it’s the Heart Appeal

Jake is taking heat for eliminating four contestants last week. Will he step it up for all of the contestants in romantic San Francisco? Or, will the rivalry between the contestants take center stage?

What’s Your Fortune: Jake first picks Tenley to join him on a tour of Chinatown. The couple travel in style (on a private trolley) while they sample the sights and the local food. They visit a fortune cookie factory where they write their fortunes to be revealed later.

At the Coit Tower, Jake quizzes Tenley over dinner about her marriage and divorce. Tenly wonders about pilots and their faithfulness. Jake answers in pilot code: “Cheating is a matter of choice.” They open up their fortune cookies which both read: Kiss me. Aw!

Fashion Inspired by the Olympics

Gold Medal Fashion Collections

Whether you make it to the Vancouver 2010 Olympics or celebrate the event in your hometown, you can still get into the spirit with these fashion collections that pay tribute to international competition.

Here are the best of the sports inspired collections including clothing and accessories from Roots, Tabi, Lululemon, and Ralph Lauren.

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Straight Hair for Months with a Brazilian Blowout

Image: College Canady

Smoothing Treatment that Improves the Health of Hair

Straight hair has taken a back seat lately to soft curls. If the catwalks are any indication, long straight hair inspired by the 1970s is one of the trends in the spring 2010 forecast.

For those who would rather make love not war with their hair, the Brazilian Blowout is a professional smoothing treatment that gives you wash and wear hair for up to three months without harsh chemicals. The treatment, which actually improves the condition of your hair, takes one to one and a half hours depending on how much hair you have. The result is smooth, frizz free hair that requires minimal styling (let your hair air dry for soft waves or blow it straight in 10 minutes or less).

Sweet Dreams are Made of Essential Oils

Essential Oils Blend Helps Promote Relaxation and Sleep

Sometimes you need extra help to get a good night’s sleep. If counting sheep isn’t working, you may get relief from aromatherapy with essential oils.

Aromatherapy Personals™ Sweet Dreams multi-nutritive oil is a blend of enriched oils that not only encourage relaxation but also moisturize and protect your skin. Soothing essential oils like lavender, patchouli, chamomile, and geranium create the perfect mood for a restful asleep. Skin nourishing seed oils like pomegranate, passionfruit, and sea buckthorn smooth and nourish your skin and hair.

This major multi-tasker can step in as a body moisturizer, hair and scalp treatment, or bath oil to hydrate and protect your skin.

Hot Accessory for Spring 2010

New way to Experience Web, Email, and Photos

Your favorite spring accessory for 2010 may be a patterned Marc Jacobs scarf or a matte silver cuff. Or, it just may be your Apple iPad tablet introduced yesterday by Apple CEO, Steve Jobs.

According to Jobs, the iPad is a better device for reading books, watching videos, and playing games than a laptop or a smart phone. The iPad has a 9.7-inch touch screen and weighs about 1.5 pounds (just the right fit for your oversized leather saddle bag).

Jane Fonda Workout 2.0

Image: The Insider

Time Again to Feel the Burn

No one is more responsible for launching the fitness revolution than Jane Fonda. Dressed in her signature leotard, tights, and leg warmers, Fonda created an aerobics video in 1982 that sold more than sold 17 million copies.

Almost 30 years later, Fonda will begin filming a DVD that targets her age group: baby boomers. Even though she has to cope with her own health issues (osteoarthritis and back problems), Fonda wants to create exercise DVDs for boomers who have stopped working out or never did.

Organic Mineral Makeup You’ll Want to Stick With

Unique Texture Lighter than Air

Just when you thought you’ve seen all variations of mineral makeup along comes organic mineral foundation in a stick. Atmosphere Luminous Foundation from Vapour Organic Beauty is made with 70% Certified Organic ingredients and natural mineral pigments and vitamins, like Vitamin E.

The Vapour foundation stick glides on easily with buildable coverage from light to medium. Unlike a powder format, the moisturizing base allows the minerals to move with your skin and reflect a youthful glow. If you’re worried about breakouts, all of Vapour’s product’s have been designed with non-comedogenic ingredients that won’t clog pores.

The Bachelor: On the Road Again

The Fourth Cut is the Deepest

Last episode, Bachelor Jake promised not to lead on any of the women when he released Michelle during their awkward kiss ‘n tell. Will Jake keep his promise?

Days of Wine and Roses: The nine remaining ladies head up the picturesque California coast for a week long adventure in two state-of-the-art RVs (look out there could be fireworks).

The first stop is a vineyard in Santa Ynez where Jake delivers a date card to city slicker, Gia. She jumps on Jake’s motorcycle with her kimono shirt dress, stilettos, and Louis Vuitton bag raring to go. They start off the date with a game of Hide ‘n Seek then progress to a Bachelor version of Spin the Bottle. Gia earns her camping creds and scores a rose.

Put Your Best Pouf Forward

Image: OK Magazine

Brush Up a Vertical ‘Do

Big-haired girls can finally give their flat irons a well-deserved rest. Poufy hair has been spotted everywhere from red carpets at this month’s Hollywood award shows to reality TV sets at Seaside Heights, New Jersey.

When it comes to hair trends, it’s all about what works for your hair type and personality. If you’re fond of the motto “go big or go home,” try the pouf worn by Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi of the Jersey Shore (she shares her secrets here). Wendy Williams also went for a bigger is better look on her show by wearing two wigs together to create a mega pouf.

Lasting Hydration with Yogurt

Full of Moisture Without Feeling Greasy

You can’t go a day without seeing at least one yogurt commercial on TV. With all the media exposure, it’s hard to miss the fact that yogurt is a great source of nutrients like calcium and protein. What’s not as well known is that these same nutrients in a moisturizer add a new dimension to skin care.

Yogurt Cream from Korres is an ultra-soothing moisturizer for oily and dehydrated skin featuring full fat, Greek yogurt as the key ingredient. Originally a homeopathic pharmacy, Korres now offers natural skincare formulations like their yogurt cream with lactose, protein, and other vitamins to increase moisture levels in your skin.

Is Christina Hendricks too “Curvy” for the NYT?

Image: courtesy gothamist.com

NYT Stereotypes Christina Hendricks as a Big Girl

The New York Times’ On the Runway fashion blog is under fire for featuring a distorted photo of Christina Hendricks wearing a peach-colored Christian Siriano gown at the Golden Globes.

The photo included the following fashion commentary from style bogger Cathy Horyn regarding the Mad Men actress: “As one stylist said, ‘You don’t put a big girl in a big dress. That’s rule number one.’”

Following a similar theme, The Moment blog showed pictures of Jennifer Aniston, Kate Hudson, and Courtney Cox with the following observation by Andy Port: “Maybe it’s just me, but I could have sworn that some of the ladies who showed up at the Golden Globes on Sunday had put on a little weight.”

Secrets of a Top Celebrity Makeup Artist

Jennifer Lopez’s Makeup Artist Releases New Book

Whether she’s showing off dance steps in a video or starring in a feature on screen, Jennifer Lopez has always had a winning makeup style. Now you can get her luminous look with the help of a new book by celebrity makeup artist, Scott Barnes.

Featuring Jennifer Lopez on the front cover, About Face highlights the techniques used to glam up A-list clients like Kate Hudson, Penelope Cruz, and Julianne Moore. The book focuses on various methods for creating dramatic makeovers on women of different ages and skin tones including Jennifer Lopez, Mariska Hargitay, and Kim Kardashian.

Going Scruffy: Leading Men Give up their Razors

Image: USA Today

Beards are the Latest Accessory

First, it was Brad Pitt flashing a goatee with dreadlocks and beads as he arrived at Tokyo airport. Then, a hairy-faced George Clooney (with his Italian girlfriend Elisabetta Canalis) showed up at various Hollywood functions, resembling a classic opera singer more than a screen siren.

Final confirmation came at the 2010 Golden Globes when the camera zoomed in on Mad Men stars, Jon Hamm and Vincent Kartheiser, who looked like they had just resigned from Sterling Cooper to join a hippie commune. Seasoned actors William Hurt and Jeff Bridges also sported scruffy beards that would have made Grizzly Adams proud.

Could all of this facial hair be the result “of getting into character”? Or, is it more likely that beards are cool right now? According to a recent story in the Daily Mail, more bearded men than clean shaven ones showed up at last fall’s GQ Men of the Year Awards.

Glossy Lip Color Not Just for Royals

Sheer Moisturizing “Draw on” Gloss

With so many choices in lip products, it’s hard to find lip color that rules above the rest.

Part gloss and part lipstick, Chinatown Glossy Pencils from Lipstick Queen stand out from the crowd. Inspired by the New York neighborhood of Lipstick Queen headquarters and the movie Chinatown, this lip pencil will brighten your spirits and your looks in the dead of winter.

The Bachelor: Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway

Can’t We All Just Get Along

Jake, the Bachelor, is ready to step out of his comfort zone if it means he leaves the show with a fiance. In the process, he also has to deal with a frightful group of women who will do just about anything to win a rose.

Bridge to My Heart: Vienna is ecstatic when she discovers that she’s won the Bachelor lotto: a solo date. Her excitement fades into the thin, high-altitude air when the Bachelor Chopper lands on a bridge in the San Gabriel Mountains for a bungee jumping session.

Hottest Makeup Trends at the Golden Globes

Image: BellaSugar

Winning Makeup Styles

Avatar may have won top honors at this year’s Golden Globes awards, but a few makeup trends are sure to make the beauty headlines.

Soft Pale Lips
Red lips are always a classic and added glamor to both Meryl Streep and January Jones of Mad Men. For this year’s award show, a softer pale shade was the clear favorite.

Both Fergie and Heidi Klum wore subtle nude lip shades to accent their bolder eyes. Kate Hudson also showed off frosted pink lips to complement her shimmery eye shadow.