Beauty & Fashion Tips - Rags & Rouges Style Tips

Linday Lohan to Launch New Leggings Line! ~ Fashion Updates

Check out the Opening of Kim Kardashian’s Store Dash ~ Gina Angelina’s Fashion Fitness and Skin Care Tips For Models

Pedicure Tips from NailTiques ~ 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic

Chanel Preview The Robertson Boulevard Collection ~All Lacquerd Up

Zac Posen the L’il Zac Handbag LOVE LOVE~ Bag Bliss

OOOOH, Emilio Pucci’s New Sandal!!! It’s an Ankle Wrap, AND a thong! ~ The Shoe Goddess

A Bird’s Eye View of Australian Fashion Week ~ Trendinista

A New UTT-erly Awesome Online Boutique! ~ Urban Socialite

Well with temps climbing, skin care is at an all time high in terms of importance. You want to eliminate the orange peel look of your pores, remove blackheads, and smooth down the rough texture the winter has given your face. The best thing to do for this is a microdermabrasion, and start NOW. It will take a few weeks, but the end result, smooth, bright, and tight skin. Perfect for getting all your glow on this summer. Contrary to popular opinion, this is NOT something you need to hit the clinic for.

What is Microdermabrasion?

It’s basically the quick fix without spending the big bucks. A microdermabrasion will give you similar effects of a chemical peel without the expensive cosmetic surgery or spa prices. It is also called a mini-peel. For any kind of scarring or discoloration you may have on your face, a series of microdermabrasion treatments will make a huge difference. And you can do this right at home.

The treatment is non-invasive, and it ultimately removes any damaged or dead skin from your face to reveal the new, and much healthier skin cells underneath. What this does is stimulate those deeper skin layers to produce more elastin and collagen, thus revealing the younger looking you. Your skin will look younger, feel more supple, and even feel firmer to the touch after a few treatments.

You will also notice that any acne scars you may be dealing with are smaller, or minimized; your pores will be tighter, and yes, those fine lines will be reduced substantially as well. No matter how busy you are, it’s really worth the 15 minutes or so it will take you. And why not in the comfort of your own home, with the comfort of your own budget. While these kits don’t look all that cheap to start off with, when you consider that an in spa treatment that provides you the same results will run you around $100 per treatment, you will see the affordability I am talking about. The key to the microdermabrasion really is in having repeat and consecutive treatments to ensure all of the dead skin is removed.

And well, who doesn’t want to look younger. Take the time and splurge on you. You totally deserve it!!

You can grab a microdermabrasion kit from the local drug store, or try the Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion Polish + Moisture Kit, Normal to Dry Skin ($140 Value) . This at home kit is what the celebs are using when they are on the road and away from their fave spa. Dr. Brandt’s skin care line is FAMOUS in Tinseltown. This lovely version offers you not only the scrub, but the softness of chamomile and aloe as well. Chamomile is great for reducing puffiness and water retention in the face, and this combination is a very soothing one that your face will love you for.

Beauty Tip – At first, you will notice some redness on your skin, and I know, you all are picturing Samantha from Sex In the City and that horrid scarring. No. Unlike a chemical peel, microdermabrasion will leave some redness after the treatment, but it won’t last longer than an hour or two, so do this before you go to bed at night.

The Olsen twins are definitely doing everything they can to make it on every high fashion list, and they are doing it exactly how they should be. Here is Mary Kate Olsen after the Chanel fashion show at fashion week in a gorgeous studded Givenchy coat that she paired with Balenciaga oxford booties and an equally gorgeous Chanel bag.

Like this look? Steal the style for yourself with these finds….

This doesn’t have the studded styling that Mary’s does, but it is a super chic luxe modern take on the classic leather jacket. This
Mike & Chris Eames Leather Jacket
features a fold-over collar and storm flap at shoulders. Zipper closure and welt pockets at front. Flap detail at pockets. Drawstring at detachable hood and single-snap closure at cuffs. Sexy, sassy, and super hot.

Nina Garcia says that every woman needs to have a quilted bag with a chain link strap in their wardrobe. Why? Again, timeless. This quilted bag with chained strap by Mikko offers just enough biker edge that you can take with an elegant look, or sass it up in an edgy leathered ensemble. Don’t like the black? Go for a feminine edge and grab this in pink or ivory.

Pair this entire ensemble with some leggings or tights, and slip those pretty legs of yours into bootie look a likes by Nine West. These sexy booties will give your legs an ultra sultry appeal with their suede and leather upper, hidden platform that lengthens your already gorgeos legs, covered 4” heels, and lightly padded insoles. These are easy to slip on and off with their full inside zip as well. So cute or so sexy. You decide.

We all know how MAY JAH the LBD is. It is the most timeless piece in any woman’s wardrobe. And yes, you should have at least one. This post is not going to tell you anything different. But sometimes having a pop of color doesn’t hurt either. If you have had a bad week, tossing on an LBD can be a little well, morbid. So having a staple like one of these in your closet is going to be just the perfect pick me up. And these little numbers, are classic in themselves. Not too trendy, not too dated, just like your LBD. Lasting forever.

This one I love, I love, I love. You can’t help but fall in love with this flattering knotted detail that makes this little dress SO interesting. I love the waisted draping that will flatter any figure, and this one shoulder cap sleeve. And being sleeveless you can take this out in higher temps, but it’s made of wool, so throw a cover over it and you’ve got a very pretty winter cocktail dress. There is nothing not to love about this gorgeous dress from Active Endeavors.

Another great twist to the LBD is one in a deep purple. Here you have the
Pencey Trapeze Dress
. You will not be able to resist the swingy style of this well-tailored trapeze dress. Mid-weight stretch-cotton dress with banding and cutout detail at wide neckline On-seam pockets at hip and 3″ slit at cuffs and pretty elbow-length sleeves. Tailored and sexy all at the same time.

How ‘bout a bright blue as a colored alternative to the LBD. This
Dessous by Sophie Simmons Vivianne Dress
exudes feminine elegance with a decidedly modern vibe. You will adore the satin bodice and satin banding at bottom hem. Pleating at front and back and keyhole at back. Tie at keyhole with adjustable straps as well so that you aren’t tugging all night long. Satin is just one fabric that will never go out of style, and hey, it feels so lush, you deserve it, go for it.

Are these too short for you? Some women just can’t do the mini-mini. A pair of cropped tights will look great with any of these. Or how bout making these a tunic dress and go a little casual. Some dark straight legged jeans and heels will pull these looks out beautifully.

Whether the stars were going for old Hollywood glamour, or just sleeking things back for some elegance, we saw a lot of the same looks crossing the red carpet. The weather word was that there was some wind accompanying the stars on the red carpet, so celebs and their stylists compensated by pulling things back. You can achieve these looks too, a sexy or sleek ponytail is the simplest beauty secret there is to know.

Cameron Diaz is one that takes uber cas and pulls it together with a Dior gown for some major glam. Her ponytail was pulled back with a super messy look and she pulled some bangs in the front for a very pretty face framing look. For this look, you don’t want to care *too much* when you are pulling it together. The key really is in the mess.

Miley Cyrus was another beauty queen who took the ponytail with a sleek edge. The ponytail was pulled and pin very low and she gave the pony a much more elegant look with wavy side-swept bangs. Curl your bangs first to achieve the wavy look, and then comb them back with a fine tooth comb to get the sleek factor. Pin with a bobby pin sprayed with some hairspray and you got yourself a sleek ponytail. Spritz on some shining mist to give a little extra gloss.

Anne Hathaway was a timeless beauty in her Marchesa goddess gown and she went the other direction with a ponytail that was high and accentuated her intense features. Curl your hair in long loose waves with a wide curling iron. Tease the crown just ever so slightly and then pull hair back into a ponty. Anne has an extra piece pinned at the base here, which you can try too, or just go with the whimsy of the high pony if you like. This is a fun look for a night on the town or an afternoon at the mall.

The red carpet was alive last night as all the stars came out to give homage to the golden statue at the 80th Annual Academy Awards. Of course, besides who won what, one of the most talked about items in any awards show is who wore who. And this year, the stars did not disappoint. Red seemed to be the color to wear, though many celebs were seen straying from the standard black and white sparkly things and we saw a very nice rainbow spattering the red carpet. Who wore who? And who made this year’s best dressed list? These are my picks ( in no specific order of preference)….

While I am not a big fan of Anne Hathaway myself, she stunned the crowd in this gorgeous asymmetrical rosette trimmed gown by Marchesa.

Laura Linney is a favorite of mine, she always gets stuck in these dowdy roles and turns them out beautifully. This earned her a Best Actress nomination this year, and in her gorgeous strapless Michael Kors gown, she proved she is anything but dowdy.

Heidi Klum is Heidi Klum and you know she can’t go to the grocery store without looking like a glam queen. This Project Runway superstar and supermodel was another icon that rocked the red carpet in bright hues with this couture gown by John Galliano.

Amy Adams rocked the crows as Best Song performer and is no stranger to the Oscars having been a former nominee. She wore a stunning gown by Proenza Schouler in a lovely shade of jade.

Jessica Alba did not let her baby bump get in the way of her glam, as she wore a beautiful empire-waisted gown by Marchesa.

Katherine Heigl is no stranger to the red carpet either and presented an Oscar for Best Makeup in this beautiful one shoulder piece by Escada.

Hollywood’s latest It couple, George Clooney and Sarah Larson can not be forgotten. While George was up for Best Actor, Sarah was up for best arm candy in her blue strapless beaded gown by Valentino Couture.

Cate Blanchett was just another of many baby bumps along the red carpet and wore this gorgeous silk halter dress by Dries Van Noten. Cate was up for both Best Actress AND Best Supporting Actress this year, though you’d never guess by how calm she looked for her appearance.

Renee Zellweger is always a dazzle on the red carpet and this Oscar’s was no exception. She wore a silver sparkly strapless dress with a thigh-high split by Carolina Herrera.

And you can always count on Cameron Diaz for some dazzling smiles. On the red carpet she is dazzling in Dior. You will see her in the upcoming film ‘What Happens in Vegas’ and she flaunted her smoking shape in a body hugging gown by Dior by John Galliano.