Behind the Smile - Tooth Whitening Facts & Fiction

A brilliant, white smile is often coveted and rarely achieved. There are currently dozens of at-home whitening kits, toothpastes and mouthwashes claiming to remove stains, and of course dentists ready to bleach your teeth to blindingly-white shades.

Trying to figure out what is real and what is fantasy in the world of cosmetic dentistry can be a challenge, and top New York Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Michael Entin has answered some of the common misconceptions about the practice of teeth whitening -

True or False? - The Truth About Teeth Whitening

"All teeth whitening gels are not the same"

TRUE: Not all whitening gels are the same. Even though most of them contain carbamide peroxide ("bleaching agent") they differ in the percentage of it used in a particular gel. Percentages can range from 5% to 45% or even more.

"All teeth can be whitened equally"

FALSE: The thicker the enamel layer of the teeth, the better is the whitening result. Most tooth stains are divided into two categories: intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic stains are those that are within the chemical structure of the tooth itself – they cannot be bleached. Extrinsic stains are the result of outside staining like coffee, smoking, and red wine. Those stains can be bleached, so ask your dentist what kind of discoloration you have before you start a whitening procedure.

"I have to get the strongest gel so that my teeth can get whitest"

FALSE: You should consult your dentist for the proper strength of the gel. This should be done to avoid harming the teeth.

"Whitening toothpastes can bleach teeth"

MAYBE: Whitening toothpastes can bleach the teeth but only to an extent. Dr. Entin recommends that they be used in combination with whitening gel.

"Veneers, crowns, and tooth colored fillings will be whitened just like my teeth"
FALSE: All of the above are made from porcelain or resin composite and they cannot be bleached

"Tooth whitening can have side effects"

TRUE: There can be side effects if the proper instructions are not followed. There is increase in sensitivity, gingival burning, in some cased pulpitis (inflammation of the nerve and pulp inside the tooth). However, all of that can be avoided by consulting a dentist prior to the whitening process and strictly following your dentist's instructions.

"Dental insurance will pay for teeth whitening"

FALSE: Most insurance companies do not cover teeth whitening because it is considered to be a cosmetic procedure. Procedures like that are not covered most of the time.

"Whitening kits given by the dentist are the same as the ones purchased over the counter"

False: Over the counter kits contain a less active bleaching ingredient than the ones provided by the dentist, therefore it takes more time to whiten the teeth with over the counter kits.

"Once my teeth are whitened, they will stay white forever"

False: On average, tooth whitening can last six months, depending also on lifestyle habits like consumer foods and beverages that can stain the teeth.

For More info Visit - www.lumineersNY.com

Danni Minogue's Yummy Mummy Glow!

Dannii Minogue was glowing yesterday as she unveiled her new fashion line at Selfridges in London. Project D, which goes on sale in June, is in collaboration with designer Tabitha Somerset-Webb, includes day dresses, cocktail chic and red-carpet-ready dresses. Dannii's burgeoning bump was looking effortlessly chic in her sparkling sequined dress which fitted beautifully, she said herself, "This one's stretched sequin thankfully so it goes over the bump! Being pregnant has completely opened my mind to having to really try different shapes and things I haven't worn before. You've got to dress cleverly around it but I've managed to get into my dresses without any alterations."
Danni spoke about her reasons for launching the new range, "Fashion has been a passion of mine since I can remember and I hope that every woman who slips on a Project D dress will feel glamorous yet effortless.
"Our philosophy is to make feeling confident with your wardrobe easy. We will do the hard work and get the details on the dresses right, so all you have to do is enjoy them.
"To me a dress design never comes to life till it is slipped on - who knows what adventures the dresses in this collection will get up to?"
The Autumn/Winter collection will be the first from the range & will also be followed by an accessories collecting plus a new fragrance later this year.
Get The Glow!
Get Dannii's fabulous glow with some gorgeous bronzer, go for one with a warm pink tone through it to give that healthy complexion look Dannii is pulling off so perfectly! Try out Benefit's 'Dallas' bronzer, it has the perfect pigment balance between bronzed & rosey making it suitable for even paler skin tones, just sweep over the cheek bones with a large brush, start on the apple of the cheeks & focus most of the colour in that area by smiling in the mirror as you apply it.

Jemma & Jodie Kidd - Sisters Are Doing it For Themselves!

Jemma Kidd will be joined by a very special model when she demonstrates her range on the show tomorrow. Supermodel sister, Jodie Kidd, will be on hand to help show off the best of Jemma’s beauty range live on QVC on Thursday 29th April.
Close friends and sisters, the pair have grown up to dominate both the fashion and beauty arenas. Whilst Jodie excelled as a model, Jemma became an international make-up artist and award-winning product designer.
Jemma is one of the UK’s most celebrated talents and sought after backstage artists, and has worked extensively at New York and London fashion weeks and with leading fashion designers, photographers and famous faces such as Matthew Williamson, Naomi Campbell, Peter Lindberg, Rankin, Jerry Hall, Jade Jagger, and Sienna Miller.

Skin & Bare It: The Brand New Online Beauty Show From Jergens Naturals Starring Anna Richardson

Check out Jergens Naturals brilliant new online show 'Skin & Bare It' which stars CH4 talent Anna Richardson, went live this week across the web.
What would happen if you swapped your body care regime with someone else? Find out as we see two people swapping their beauty regimes over the course of 3 weeks. The new online show puts the nation’s body care regime to the test and looks at it under the microscope whilst you watch the transformation!

OLD HOLLYWOOD GLAMOUR GETS A MAKEUNDER AS BRISTISH WOMEN VOTE NATURAL BEAUTY AS THE SECRET TO A MODERN SCREEN SIREN

Modern day leading ladies like Kate Winslet and Jennifer Aniston lack the Hollywood glamour of previous film goddesses like Elizabeth Taylor and Raquel Welch, new research revealed yesterday.

But that's the way Britain's women like it because they prefer the understated, realistic girl next door look, according to a poll by Venus Embrace.
Film fans say the glamour surrounding female film stars may have dimmed compared to big screen icons in the '50s and '60s, but the latest rom-coms showing stars such as Sienna Miller and Cameron Diaz in natural styling and make-up are more appealing to modern women than the unattainable soft-focus beauty sirens of yesteryear.
An overwhelming seven in ten women polled nationwide said they believed that leading ladies who harness their natural assets are the modern goddesses of this generation.
Rather than bold lips and over styled hair, women cite more subtle forms of glamour to help them feel more confident in their own close romantic moments, and toned body (41%), groomed legs and bikini line (25%), flattering outfit (20%), highlighting scent (14%), a as their secret weapons.
Surprisingly, only a mere (3%) felt awkward body scars (2%) their cleavage, or lack of tan (0%) posed as a barrier to confidence when with their partner.
The understated beauty of actresses like Jennifer Aniston and Kate Winslet has won the hearts of women all over the country, as they top the poll of screen goddesses British women admire most.
At number one is Jennifer Aniston, admired by 24 per cent of the 2,000 women polled by Venus Embrace, for her glowing and natural look.
At number two is Kate Winslet, whose English rose look is loved by 14 per cent of modern women, while eight per cent still admire 'sultry and exotic’ Sophia Loren.
Marilyn Monroe's curvaceous and glamorous look is still loved by eight per cent of women, while four per cent love Cameron Diaz for her beach goddess image.
Screen icon Elizabeth Taylor is still admired three per cent, while Julie Christie's ‘preened and modish’ image is admired by two per cent.
At nine in the list is 'slender and elegant' Kate Bosworth , while bottom of the list is Raquel Welsh.
To help women feel like a leading lady in their own lives, Venus Embrace has enlisted the help of beauty expert from the film industry to advise women on how to harness their natural assets - taking the lead from the modern on-screen goddesses we love.
Make-up artist Tina Earnshaw said: "I have noticed the change in trend towards achieving a more natural look on screen, rather than the elaborate sirens from the past.
"The challenge with this understated look is with the advancement of cinematic technologies such as high-definition, every detail is visible on screen which means fine flaws such as smudged make-up or rogue hairs are easily detected.”
She advises women hoping to match Hollywood's modern natural look to invest in a five-blade razor like Venus Embrace for red-carpet worth legs, use tanning and bronzing products to achieve that LA glow and always apply smudge proof make-up for those up-close moments with your leading man - are you ready for your close up?

Table - Top screen goddesses:

1 Jennifer Aniston (24%)
2 Kate Winslet (14%)
3 Sophia Loren (8%)
4 Marilyn Monroe (6%)
5 Cameron Diaz (4%)
6 Rachel McAdams (4%)
7 Elizabeth Taylor (3%)
8 Julie Christie (2%)
9 Kate Bosworth (1%)
10 Raquel Welsh (0%)

Wilkinson Sword Ad Spoof On Desperate Housewives - Tidying Up Downstairs

Wilkinson Sword reminds ladies to turn their attention to ‘tidying up downstairs’ ahead of the summer holidays...!
Meet Deirdre and Ginny…the stars of a kooky new video from Wilkinson Sword. It launches today to remind young ladies to turn their attention to their bikini areas and ‘tidy up downstairs’ ahead of the summer holidays.



The film is being released to celebrate the success of Quattro for Women Bikini from Wilkinson Sword, which launched last year and became the UK’s best selling female razor in 2009. This world-first 2-in-1beauty innovation - that both trims and shaves your bikini area - is of course the perfect tool for ‘tidying up downstairs’, with a waterproof trimmer at one end and a high tech, four-blade razor at the other. And now it’s available in a NEW orchid variant which comes with a FREE and stylish travel case so that you can easily transport it with you wherever you go.
This is the first in a series of three ‘neighbourhood’ videos so enjoy, and watch this space for the sequels over the next few weeks!

Award Winning Summer Glow - St Tropez Wash Off Instant Glow Body Lotion

With summer getting closer (we hope!) we all want an instant fix to our pale complexions, so recent CEW (UK) 2010 Beauty Awards Winner 'St Tropez Wash Off Instant Glow Body Lotion' is the answer! A lightweight lotion that smoothes on to give an even golden tan in minutes!
This product is suitable for all skin tones as you can apply gradually to get the desired effect & create a natural looking colour. The lotion is infused with a nourishing blend of softening oils, plus prickly pear extract to naturally soothe and hydrate to ensure a perfect application. From £12.00.

Directions of use:
After exfoliating, and using latex gloves, apply lotion liberally over your entire body using sweeping strokes.
Remove the gloves and apply a little lotion to the backs of the hands and down the fingers using one finger.
Remove excess lotion with Wipe Away Cleansing wipes immediately.
Apply Wash Off Instant Glow Shimmer Stick to the fronts of the legs, shoulders and décolletage to enhance the tan and give a subtle shimmer sheen.
To remove the tan, simply wash off with soap and water.

Get Set For Summer With Gillette Venus!

We've had the weather we all complain about never seeing over the last week, amazing sunshine & even though it's still April, looking out the window it could be July!! So out goes the old winter togs & Uggs and back in with the shorts & gladiator sandals, only thing to do is remove the winter fuzz & get our legs back in smooth summer glory ready for the sunshine!
So Gillette some new additions to their razor collection just in time to come to our aid, never has shaving been so easy, so you can say goodbye to nasty shaving rashes & say hello to gorgeous smooth hair free legs & underarms in minutes!
I have just tried out Gillette's newbie the 'Venus Spa Breeze 2in1' & quite frankly it is the best razor I have ever used, I love it!!!! It has built in shave bars that include skin conditioning ingredients to keep the skin moisturised while shaving as well flex around your body to ensure a smooth finish. So no need to lather up in the shower before you start shaving, then mess around with reapplying & dragging your razor back along, just one quick & clean swoop & you're done - perfect!!!! I definitely recommend all girls to stock up for summer, the shave gel bars last really well too & I haven't had to change mine over just yet (they also come with a handy case for your razor as well to sit it the shower), certainly no need for waxing when you have such a good razor!
Also in the range is the Venus Embrace, this provides a really precise finish with 5 blades & a moisture strip that adjusts & contours the body. The moisture strip is excellent & really helps minimise any shaving rash & the blades are so precise you can guarantee no cuts!
So anyway, get shopping & get those legs out before the sun disappears!!!

The Socializer - Bright Lights/Late Nights - A Party Girl's Must Have!

Now here's a solution all us party girls will love, how to get rid of those tell tale signs of a late night & wake up looking refreshed with some added sparkle to our eyes in the morning!!
So the answer to our prayers? Two products that come together in a handy tube from Elizabeth Grant skin care called "The Socializer - Bright Lights & Late Nights", fabulous little handy eye pens & with 1-2 clicks you can wipe away dark circles & be fresh as a daisy just like that!
The 'Late Nights' is applied when you head off to bed (making it look like it never happened!) & with a unique algae (sounds lovely..!) 'Ulva Lactuca' it helps improve the skin's elasticity, the product also helps improve the appearance of wrinkles & with chamomile soothes & calms the skin.
Bright Lights, perfect for the AM, so you can head straight from the dance floor to office, this tube is all about hydrating, cooling, soothing & de-puffing, not forgetting erasing those dark circles & illuminating the skin!
Both products are fabulous & not just a great idea, they really work, 'Late Nights' is a great product for using at night to keep the under eye area wrinkle free & 'Bright Lights' is fantastic for brightening the eyes, so no need for all that concealer!

Charlotte Church - Get The Look!

Charlotte Church has been all over our favourite Magazines of late looking fabulous after her post baby diet & her slimline figure was recently splashed over a Sunday magazine where she was looking super luscious with a hot vamp make-over! Of course today it is has been all over the celebrity-gossip news headlines that her gorgeous beaux Gavin Henson has finally popped the question & the two are set to marry this year. Lets hope we all get a peek at Charlotte's dress & her wedding style, which may be difficult seeing as she's said to be opting for a secret island get away for the big day!

Here's some top tips on getting Charlotte's vamp look yourself!

1 - A flawless complexion is required for this look so opt for Max Factor's 'Miracle Touch Foundation' (£10.99) which is a base with concealer & powder for the perfect finish.

2 - Get the smokey eyes, firstly as with anything start with a good base, take a light neutral colour and with a large brush sweep across the lid. Then with a smaller defined brush take a dark grey or taupe colour which works best as a shimmer or frost finish & apply to your lower lid then with your larger brush blend outwards to soften (don't worry if it looks s little messy at this stage!).
Then take the dark colour again & shade in the outer corners of your eye in a shape such as a 'V' on it's side with the point facing outwards, this will add depth & make your eyes look darker & wider, make sure you blend well & take a cotton bud to soften this out which will also define as well.
One thing to bare in mind is to try & apply more depth to the outer corners so the finished result is not too heavy, cotton buds are your best friend while creating this look as they are perfect for blending in this area!


3 - Define the top lash with a matte dark shadow, use a small slanted brush for this, it will create a softer smokier finish & take it from the outer corner to the inner, for the bottom lash again use the shadow with the same brush & take it three quarters of the way across from the outer edge & with a cotton bud soften this out & even add a little more shadow to create a more dramatic look (use the dark colour used on the lids for an extra shimmer).

4 - Take a highlighter & blend up to the brow bone, this is great for bringing everything together, also take a little of the highlighter into the inner corners to open the eye & tidy any edges by softening them out with the cotton bud.

5 - Define your eyebrows, use the Body Shop's 'Brow Kit' (£10) to shape your brows, it is a powder with an application brush, apply over your brows paying particular attention the edge above the bridge of your nose & ensure it is neatly finished off (take a pencil & place vertically above your nose, the line should not go past this point), point them off at the outer corner of your eye to create a longer brow that will 'frame' the eye, soften by taking a brow comb through them.

6 - A warm shimmering colour will set off the cheeks beautifully & should sculpt & define too, take a large blusher brush & sweep the colour over the apples of your cheeks then upwards across the cheekbones, try Bobbi Brown's 'Bronze Shimmer Brick Compact' (£27) which has pinks & browns to give this effect for both warm & cool skin tones.

7 - Finish with a deep lipstick to give it the bold vamp finish Charlotte has gone for here, you want to opt for a red wine colour with purple undertones which is very much in style at the moment, try out L'Oreal's Endless Colour Lipstick in 'Saucy Sangria'. If you want to go ultra vamp line the lips lightly in black eyeliner then blend out with a cotton bud & apply the lipstick over with a lip brush. Take a little clear gloss over the top to finish the look.

Best to keep this look for a hot Saturday night out on the town, match with fabulous hair, a LBD & you're hot to trot!!!

Bannish Spots For A Flawless Complexion!

The dreaded spot, we all get them regardless of our age & now in my thirties I thought I could finally escape but of course not...!! Unfortunately for us woman our hormones can control a lot of our outbreaks but there many ways to counteract them, especially when you have an important event coming up, which always seems to be their favourite time to make an appearance!!!!
The best treatment is preventative & of course this comes down to what you put in your body, junk food, chocolate & alcohol etc as we all know isn't going to do any good for our complexion & flushing your system with 2 litres of water a day will clear the complexion better than any face wash I can assure you!! As well as this drinking white tea is a great way to free your body of unwanted toxins that can result in blemishes, as well as plenty of fruit & veg & if you can't manage your 5 a day make sure you take a vitamin supplement to keep your skin healthy, a lack of vitamins in your diet will show up with a dull complexion as well as outbreaks.
Of course emergency spot creams are always required & after searching through many polls the winner by far appears to be Freederm, just a little applied to the blemish it is gone within a couple of days keeping the skin clear. One I use in emergencies is Clearasil Ultra Rapid Action Cream, I find this never lets me down & any spots that appear during the week are always gone by the weekend!!!!

I also came across some excellent tried & tested home remedies, worth checking out!!!! -

1. The good old toothpaste trick, some say this does not work although it can assist with drying the spot out a little especially if it is weeping & you have nothing else!
2. Aspirin - Dissolve in a little water so it makes a paste & dab over the spot , it can act as a anti-inflammatory & will reduce the spot & smooth the skin.
3. Apply a little TCP with cotton wool which can help dry it out or some antiseptic cream such as savlon to help clear the area of bacteria.
4. Try a honey and lemonade home-made facial mask, the lemonade has acid to heal skin and honey to sooth.
5. Lemon Juice, again the acid in the lemon will help heal & dry out the spot, apply with a cotton bud.

Open Your Eyes!

If you feel you have small eyes then here are a few tricks on making your eyes appear larger -

1 - Firstly use a light coloured shadow, darker ones will only close the eye.
2 - Apply the light colour to the upper lid & highlight under the brow bone to open up the eye.
3 - Take your eyeliner along the outer third of your eye only, also any slightly darker shadow that you wish to use should only be applied to the outer corner of your lid & socket line.
4 - Take a white eyeliner & apply it to the bottom inner lid, this relects the light & will make the eye appear larger. - To finish off curl your lashes before your mascara & add a little highlighter to the inner corners of your eyes with a cotton bud to really open the eyes.

Relieve Hay Fever Symptoms With Liz Earl

EYEBRIGHT SOOTHING EYE LOTION: PRODUCT BENEFITS:
FACT:
Did you know that 15 – 20% of the population suffers from hay fever, otherwise known as seasonal allergic rhinitis?
SYMPTOM: ITCHY WATERY EYES:
One common symptom of hay fever is red, itchy and watery eyes. This happens when the surface of your eyes is exposed to allergens such as pollen or dust mites and an allergic reaction occurs releasing chemical substances called histamines.
SOLUTION: HELP IS ON THE WAY:
To help relieve these symptoms simply soak cotton wool pads in Liz Earle Eyebright Soothing Eye Lotion and place these relieving compresses over your eyes and relax for 5 to 10 minutes. Use any time of the day to calm and refresh; chill it in the fridge for intensely reviving benefits.

This gentle, soothing herbal lotion cleanses and revitalizes the delicate eye area and helps reduce the appearance of puffiness and dark shadows. Made from naturally active ingredients including the key ingredient, eyebright – a tiny alpine herb known to clear tired eyes – witch hazel, organic aloe vera and cornflower to help tone, cool and refresh tired, puffy or sore eyes.
PRICE : 150ml - £9.50, 150ml x 3 - £25.50 & 50ml - £4.75

INSIDER TIP:
Bee local! Some say that eating locally produced honey can help to ward off hay fever symptoms. The bees collect nectar and pollen from the various plants, in your local area, and then bring it back to the hive where they do their magic to turn it into comb honey. The introduction of small amounts of pollen to the body encourages it to create an immunity that will have success on some of the pollen strains. So the body is unaffected by these pollens when they get airborne. We’ve never needed an excuse to buy local, but as the hay fever season approaches we think it’s the perfect time to invest in a pot of delicious honey from your local beekeeper.

Check Out The Website At - www.uk.lizearle.com

Eco Cosmetics - New Lip Care Tubes From Madara

The award-winning natural and organic skincare brand MÁDARA has just announced the launch of its reformulated lip care range, which consists of two nourishing lip balms and two subtle coloured lip glosses. All four lip products are 100% natural and come in a handy new 15ml tube applicator packaging, which is the perfect handbag essential as it fits into even the smallest of handbags and will keep your lips looking great wherever you go.
The new lip balms and lip glosses will be hitting the shelf on 11th April and stockists will include Selfridges (London), independent beauty apothecaries nationwide and leading online retailers, including www.naturisimo.com and www.soorganic.com.

The all natural lip care range comprises of the following products:

MÁDARA Moonkissed Lip Gloss (RRP £9.90 / 15ml)
• A lovely soft pink colour that compliments every skin tone
• Full of natural and organic ingredients to keep your lips in great condition
• Contains Baltic Rose hip, which has skin regeneration and skin lifting properties
• Natural plant minerals and mica are used for colour and shimmer

MÁDARA Sunkissed Lip Gloss (RRP £9.90 / 15ml)
• A warm orange colour that is bang on trend for spring and summer
• Full of natural and organic ingredients to keep your lips in great condition
• Contains Baltic Rose hip, which has skin regeneration and skin lifting properties
• Natural plant minerals and mica are used for colour and shimmer

MÁDARA Regenerating Lip Balm (RRP £9.90 / 15ml)
• Great for chapped lips as this balm speeds up the healing process
• Stimulates cell renewal and slows down the lip ageing process
• Key ingredients include Baltic rose hip, barley sprouts, nettle and natural vitamin E

MÁDARA Softening Lip Balm (RRP £9.90 / 15ml)
• Nourishes and protects the lips all day long with 100% natural ingredients
• Perfect as a base under lipstick to keep your lips in great condition
• Key ingredients include Baltic calendula, chamomile and sea buckthorn

Avoiding the Pedi-Scare - Do's and Don'ts for a Relaxing and Safe Spa Pedicure!

For many women a trip to the nail salon or spa for a pedicure is not just a luxury – it is an accepted portion of their weekly beauty regime! With so many women including pedicures as routine, it is no surprise that the bar has been raised when it comes to safety standards. According to New York City cosmetic podiatrist Dr. Oliver Zong, “a pedicure is something I recommend to my patients who want to maintain both the health and look of their feet, but I warn them to ‘proceed with caution’ when choosing a nail salon to frequent.”

Dr. Zong’s hesitation is warranted: in October of 2000, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention investigated the first known outbreak of Mycobacterium fortuitum cutaneous infections acquired from whirlpool footbaths. As a prominent podiatrist in New York City, Dr. Zong has seen countless patients who have developed infections in their feet as a result of spa pedicures.

Dr. Zong’s Pedi-Do’s:
Do ask salon workers how the foot spas are maintained and how often they are cleaned. Take notice of their actions while they are working on clients to see if footbaths are disinfected with each customer.
Do pay attention to the time spent cleaning footbaths between customers. The disinfectant needs to work for the full time listed on its label, typically 10 minutes, depending on the type of disinfectant. It is worth your health & safety to practice patience at the spa!
Do check your skin for infection during the days following your pedicure. Open wounds may appear on the skin of your feet and legs and can look like insect bites, but increase in size and severity over time.
Do visit your podiatrist or primary care physician if you suspect you may have a serious infection.

Dr. Zong’s Pedi-Don’ts:
Don’t get a pedicure if you have cuts or abrasions on your feet or legs. Microorganisms living in footbaths can enter through the skin and cause infection.
Don’t shave, wax or use hair removal creams within a day before getting a pedicure
Don’t get a pedicure if you have bug bites, bruises, scratches, scabs or poison ivy.

So keep these in mind & you'll footloose & fancy gorgeous!!!!! For more info on Dr Zong visit - www.nycfootcare.com