Gwen Stefani Turns 45: How Women in Their 40s Can Keep Their Skin Looking Youthful & Radiant

Gwen Stefani shows off her famous 

washboard abs at a concert.

Gwen Stefani turns 45 today. That's B-A-N-A-N-A-S!

The rock star and style icon may be "Just A Girl" (certainly not a "Hollaback Girl"), but she looks better than ever. In her new role as a judge on the hit singing competition show The Voice, she goes glam with an old Hollywood look--platinum-blonde hair coiffed in cascading curls, bright red lipstick, long beautiful lashes, arched dark eyebrows and flawless porcelain skin. 

The look: Old Hollywood style.

Stefani seemingly does it all in her career with effortless ease. The songstress became a fashion designer of her own clothing lines L.A.M.B in 2003 and Harajuku Lovers in 2005. She now collaborates with 7 For All Mankind founder Michael Glasser in a recently launched line called DWP (Design With Purpose). Plus, she has two more albums in the works--one as a solo artist and another for No Doubt, the rock band in which she cofounded and serves as the lead vocalist.

The mother of three boys and wife of singer Gavin Rossdale actively works with various philanthropic causes. The do-gooder diva donated $1 million to Save the Children's Japan Earthquake–Tsunami Children in Emergency Fund for the relief and recovery efforts in 2011. She also supports amfAR. 

A balanced lifestyle likely serves to keep Stefani looking a lot younger than her 45 years. Women in their 40s typically begin experiencing fine lines and wrinkles, a dry and lackluster complexion, loosened skin around the neck, and crinkles and furrows around the eyes and mouth. 

To slow down signs of aging, we present the latest treatments, serums and creams for women with maturing skin. They contain anti-aging ingredients such as shea butter, peptides, hyaluronic acid, green tea leaf extract, aloe vera juice, and vitamins A, C and E.

Will these products smooth and soften your skin to help restore radiance and youthfulness? No doubt!

SHINE: Altcheck MD Night Treatment. BEAUTY: Peptides, hyaluronic acid, and vitamins C and E replenish moisture and suppleness to your skin while you sleep. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens.

SHINE: B-Leve B-Youthful Face & Eye Serum. BEAUTY: Leave skin looking luminous and lifted with peptides and grape fruit cell extract. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens.

SHINE: DeVita Natuaral Skin Care Optimal Rejuvenation. BEAUTY: Alpha lipoic acid, aloe vera gel, hyaluronic acid and peptides aid in firming and filling in fine lines and wrinkles. BEACON: Vegan and cruelty free. Contains no FD&C colors, lead, carmine, cochineal, gluten or parabens.

SHINE: Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum, Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil and T.L.C Framboos Glycolic Night Serum. BEAUTY: Even your skin tone and diminish signs of aging with aloe vera leaf juice, green tea leaf extract, hyaluronic acid and marula seed oil. BEACON: No animal testing and vegan. Free of glutens, sulfates, PEGS, SLES, SLS/hydroquinone, dyes, lanolin, alcohol, parabens and phthalates.

SHINE: Fleur's Wrinkle Correction Cream. BEAUTY: Shea butter, passion flower oil and mango fruit extract help nourish your skin and reduce the depth of wrinkles. BEACON: No animal testing. 

SHINE: LATHER Vitamin C Peptide Renewal. BEAUTY: Liven up lackluster skin as hyaluronic acid, peptides and vitamin C aid the skin's natural ability to fight the effects of pollution and sun exposure. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of sulfates and parabens. 

SHINE: Nature Pure Labs Age Antidote Complex. BEAUTY: Hyaluronic acid, olive fruit and argan kernel oils, and green tea leaf extract act to stimulate collagen production in maturing skin. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens, and artificial colors and fragrances.

SHINE: Phytomer XMF Pionniere Reset Eye Fluid. BEAUTY: Reduce creasing, dark circles and puffiness around the eyes with Algoreset (marine sugar and blue micro-algae), shea butter and sunflower seed oil. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: Refineé Age Recovery Cream. BEAUTY: Peptides, green tea leaf extract and aloe vera leaf gel maximize elasticity, and minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: Robin McGraw Revelation Awaken Youth Regenerating Overnight Treatment. BEAUTY: Tighten and brighten skin while you sleep with edelweiss extract and vitamin E. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of dyes and parabens. Supports When Georgia Smiled. 

SHINE: Yon-Ka Paris Elastine Jour. BEAUTY: Coconut oil, shea butter, and vitamins A, C and E help repair and restore your skin's suppleness and smoothness. BEACON: No animal testing.

Celebs Turning 30 in 2014: Happy Birthday Greetings to Khloe Kardashian

© Glenn Francis, www.PacificProDigital.com

Khloe Kardashian reaches a milestone today. The reality TV star and animal rights advocate turns 30.

What a year it's been for the most outspoken Kardashian sister. She separated from her husband Lamar Odom as he battled a drug addiction last summer, filed for divorce last December, and then sold the palatial home that the couple shared together to Kaley Cuoco and her new hubby Ryan Sweeting earlier this year. 

However, the tide recently turned in her favor. Kardashian, who supports the World Wildlife Fund to protect endangered species and once posed nude for a PETA "I'd Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur" campaign, has been spotted on both coasts with a new love interest--rapper French Montana. Plus, she enjoys her growing role as an aunt to Kim Kardashian's daughter North, who just celebrated her first birthday, and Kourtney Kardashian's son Mason, 4, and daughter Penelope, almost 2.

Kardashian joins several other celebs who turn 30 this year--Katy Perry, Kelly Osbourne and Scarlett Johansson. During this stage of a woman's life, the skin starts to undergo visible changes. The complexion may begin to dull due to years of sun damage, and decreased cellular turnover may cause light wrinkles around the eyes and mouth. 

Photo by Georges Biard

October 25: Katy Perry 

© Dan & Corina Lecca

October 27: Kelly Osbourne

Photo by Paul Mark Bird

November 22: Scarlett Johansson

To keep your skin's natural radiance and glow as a 30-something, we'd like to present a much overlooked weapon in the fight against premature aging--facial masks. These moisturizing marvels provide deep nourishment to your face. They also help remove dirt/oil and dead skin cells, and increase the circulation of oxygen and blood distribution, which brightens and tightens your complexion to give it a more youthful appearance.

Since most facial masks need to remain on your skin for 15 minutes or more, they allow you to set aside me time once or twice each week. Apply these creams and gels with soothing and relaxing motions to turn it into a pampering process. This way you can enjoy a spa-like experience in the comfort of our own home.

Happy birthday to all the beautiful women embracing the next stage of their life. However, don't hesitate to unmask the pleasures of renewing and rejuvenating your skin no matter what your age.

SHINE: 100% Pure Super Fruits Scrub + Mask. BEAUTY: Buff away dead skin cells and brighten a dull complexion with jojoba beads, pomegranate seed oil, goji berry fruit extract and aloe vera leaf juice. BEACON: Vegan, and gluten and cruelty free. Contains no detergents, synthetic chemicals, or artificial fragrances or colors.

 SHINE: ilike Organic Skin Care Sour Cherry Gel Mask. BEAUTY: Sour cherry and blackthorn berry fruit extracts, and salicylic acid help to promote elasticity and smooth your skin's appearance. BEACON: Vegan, and no animal testing. Free of artificial colorants.

SHINE: Nature Pure Labs Duo-Phase Enzyme Peeling Masque. BEAUTY: Enhance skin tone, texture and circulation with papaya fruit enzyme, aloe vera leaf juice and peptides to keep your complexion looking youthful and vibrant. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens, and artificial colors and fragrances. Recyclable packaging.

SHINE: Sumbody Age-Defying Get Extreme Face Mask. BEAUTY: Coco brown, Earth blush, ginger green and warm adobe clays help prevent premature signs of aging. BEACON: Contains no parabens, animal oils, sodium lauryl/laureth sulfates, artificial preservatives or synthetic chemicals.

SHINE: Yonka Paris Masque No 1. BEAUTY: Tighten pores and wrinkles to help make your skin feel and look smoother, softer and brighter with rose flower oil, aloe vera leaf juice, salicylic acid, and vitamins A, C, E and B5. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens.

Pretty Peepers for Valentine's Day: Glam Your Gaze with Must-Have Eye Makeup & Moisturizers

Photo by Chris Willis

Smize... Valentine's Day arrives on TGI Friday!

Smizing refers to a term Tyra Banks coined while hosting "America's Top Model." It involves the art of fierce self expression by smiling with your eyes during a photo shoot.

Tyra Banks: The art of the smize.

Smize, which blends the words "smile" and "eyes" together, reminds us of another popular saying--"Eyes are the window to the soul." It means if you look directly into someone's peepers, you can determine how they really feel or what they're truly thinking about.

Will that special someone in your life see love or passion in your eyes--or perhaps a smize--on Valentine's Day? After drinking a glass of champagne or eating a few chocolates, there's no telling how you might feel. To help glam your gaze, we present the latest eye-popping looks using liners, shadows, mascaras, pencils and skin care. They're designed to perk up your peepers for a more radiant appearance on the most romantic day of the year. 

So smize for your significant other, and keep your eyes on these prize beauty products. Have a happy Valentine's Day! 

EYE MAKEUP

SHINE: 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Ultra Lengthening Mascara (Black Tea) and Fruit Pigmented Tahiti Satin Eye Shadow (Shimmery Champagne). BEAUTY: Lengthen and thicken lashes with this vitamin-rich mascara and make your eyes sparkle with this velvet-textured shimmer shadow. BEACON: Vegan, and gluten and cruelty free. Contains no detergents, synthetic chemicals, or artificial fragrances or colors.

SHINE (clockwise): Honeybee Gardens Pressed Mineral Eye Shadow (Canterbury), Eyeliner (Smoking Gun), Truly Natural Mascara (Espresso) and Pressed Mineral Eye Shadow (Antique). BEAUTY: Create a sweet treat for your peeps with this captivating quartet. BEACON: No animal testing and vegan. Free of parabens and gluten.

SHINE: LashEm Colour Strokes Liquid Eyeliner with Lash Enhancing Serum. BEAUTY: This liner features a smudge-proof formula, which emphasizes your eyes while also nourishing your lashes, and a precision tip brush for easy application. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens, fragrances and prostaglandins. 

SHINE: Mineral Fusion Eye Shadow Trio (Diversity). BEAUTY: This pleasing palette contains an on trend trio of stunning shades--rich plum, shimmering pink and matte taupe. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of gluten, parabens, SLS, phthalates, artificial colors and synthetic fragrances. Supports the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

SHINE: Pacifica Eye Pencils (Jet, Bare, Fringe and Gun Metal). BEAUTY: Create luscious looks with these buttery smooth, waterproof pencils that utilize shea butter, jojoba oil, and vitamins C and E. BEACON: Vegan and no animal testing. Free of parabens, petroleum, SLS, sulfates, phthalates, talc, carmine and FD&C colors.

SHINE (clockwise): Sormé Treatment Cosmetics Mineral Botanicals Eye Color (Exotica), Smearproof Eyeliner (Navy Blue) and Bio-Natural Eye Shadow (Peace). BEAUTY: Look like an A-lister with these atypical but highly alluring shades. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens and talc. Supports Look Good...Feel Better.

SHINE: Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara. BEAUTY: Give your lashes a lush look with this formula of rice bran wax and peptides, and an hourglass-shaped brush that helps hold your natural curl. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of glutens.

EYE TREATMENTS

SHINE: 100% Pure Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream. BEAUTY: Minimize fine lines, puffiness and dark circles, and maximize elasticity and firmness with aloe vera leaf juice, green coffee seed extract, rosehip oil, and vitamins C and E. BEACON: Vegan, and gluten and cruelty free. Contains no detergents, synthetic chemicals, or artificial fragrances or colors.

SHINE: B-Leve B-Bright Eye Roll-On and B-Youthful Face & Eye Serum. BEAUTY: Peptides and fruit cell extract from grapes help soften your orbital area and ease inflammation, fine lines and dark circles. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: BioBliss Anti-Wrinkle Patch Eye Treatment. BEAUTY: Optimize moisture retention and prevent premature signs of aging with hyaluronic acid, peptides, okra plant extract, and vitamins B3 and C. BEACON: Contains no parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances and dyes, petrochemicals, phthalates, GMOs or triclosan.

SHINE: Coola Suncare Environmental Repair Plus Calm Glow Eye Gel. BEAUTY: Rose flower water, and rye seed, black currant and linseed extracts help soothe, shield and smooth the delicate skin around your eyes. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of paba, parabens, petroleum and phthalates. Supports Save Our Seas.

SHINE: Intelligent Nutrients Renewal Complex Eye Gel. BEAUTY: Hydrate and heal dark circles, age lines and puffiness with cucumber fruit extract, pumpkin and raspberry seed oils, and plant stem cell culture from edelweiss, marigold and pennywort. BEACON: No animal testing and USDA Organic certified. Vegan and gluten free. Contains no phthalates, sulfates, artificial fragrances, parabens, triclosan, propylene, glycol, petrochemicals or silicone.

SHINE: Phytomer Youth Contour Reviving Wrinkle Correction Cream Eye and Lip Care. BEAUTY: Shea butter, vitamin E, and red, green and brown algae soften existing lines and wrinkles to restore a youthful appearance. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: Refineé Anti-Aging Eye Treatment. BEAUTY: Step up suppleness and smoothness to revitalize radiance with green tea extract, peptides and aloe vera leaf extract. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: Systeme 41 Revitalizing Eye Treatment. BEAUTY: Sunflower seed oil, shea butter, vitamin E and hyaluronic acid aid in making fine lines and dark circles appear less noticeable. BEACON: No animal testing and hypoallergenic. Free of parabens, artificial colors, fragrances, surfactants, detergents, mineral oils and glutens.

Golden Girl Taylor Swift: The Secret Behind Her Creamy Complexion at the American Music Awards

Taylor Swift proved once again that she's the golden goddess of the music industry. Dressed in a stunning shimmery gold outfit, she scored four top honors at the fan-voted American Music Awards last Sunday--including Artist of the Year for the third time.

Swift also wowed on the red carpet. The leggy songstress wore an itsy-bitsy strapless metallic minidress by Julien Macdonald, flowing long locks parted in the middle with lots of texture and full fringe from her eyelash-length bangs. She ditched her usual bright red lips and heavily lined peeps for a more sophisticated smoky eye/nude pout look.

What put her sexy silhouette over the top? Her silky skin! In addition to showing lots of leg and bare shoulders, her complexion appeared flawless. No doubt her makeup artist possesses an assortment of pressed and loose powder, and liquid foundations in her bag of tricks. Each has the ability to balance blotchy skin discolorations and hyperpigmentation, and conceal any signs of pore congestion or creasing caused by laughing or frowning. 

You don't need to be Hollywood's latest golden girl to create a creamy, clear complexion. We've compiled some of the best foundations on the market. They not only extend the wearability of makeup, but they also make your skin glow like a superstar. 

You'll be as good as gold for the holidays!

Photo by Eva Rinaldi

SHINE: 100% Pure Healthy Flawless Skin Foundation Powder with SPF 20 (Toffee). BEAUTY: Enjoy a poreless complexion appearance with titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, vitamins C and E, and pigmented extracts of fruit, such as peach, apricot, papaya and pomegranate. BEACON: Vegan, and gluten and cruelty free. Also contains no detergents, synthetic chemicals, or artificial fragrances or colors.

SHINE: Honeybee Gardens Pressed Mineral Powder (Geisha). BEAUTY: Titanium dioxide, iron oxide, mica and cucumber fruit extract help create clean, creaseless coverage. BEACON: No animal testing and vegan. Contains no parabens, talc, oil or fragrance.

SHINE: Julie Hewett Ora Mineral Mix Loose Foundations (Intensity 3 Dark and Intensity 1 Light). BEAUTY: Shield ultraviolet rays and add a matte finish to your face without clogging your pores by utilizing mica, titanium dioxide, green tea extract and zinc oxide. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: Mineral Fusion Pressed Powder Foundation (Cool 1) and Sheer Tint Foundation (Warm). BEAUTY: Pomegranate seed and white tea leaf extracts, along with mica, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, help you even skin tone and smooth the appearance of fine lines. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of gluten, parabens, SLS, phthalates, artificial colors and synthetic fragrances. Supports the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

SHINE: Sormé Treatment Cosmetics Believable Finish Wet/Dry Powder Foundation (Pure Beige). BEAUTY: Reinvent your visage with a radiant silky skin look by utilizing titanium dioxide, iron oxide, vitamins C and E, and avocado oil. BEACON: No animal testing. Supports Look Good...Feel Better. 

Beautiful Bronzers: How to Get a Golden Glow Like Selena Gomez & Young Hollywood

Photo ©Glenn Francis, www.PacificProDigital.com

Photo by Mikey Hennessy

This week marked two major milestones in the personal and professional life of Selena Gomez. Not only did she turn 21 last Monday, the same day the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge welcomed the arrival of their son Prince George, she released her debut solo album "Stars Dance." Both events signify that the former Disney darling has come into her own as an artist and as a woman.

Gomez also recently parted ways for good with her longtime on-again, off-again beau Justin Bieber. However, it appears transition suits her well. The suddenly single songstress still maintains a fresh golden glow that complements her trademark ruby red lips and long brunette hair.

What's behind her radiant look? In addition to great genes and a seemingly healthy lifestyle, it might be attributed to a facial bronzer. This type of makeup covers blemishes, and adds color to your skin to highlight your forehead, cheeks, nose and chin. Women tend to use bronzers more during this time of the year to accentuate summer skin tones.

Whether it's a tint, bronzer or tanning cream, celebrities increasingly turn to these beauty aids to enhance their highly photographed complexions. We've compiled the latest looks from young Hollywood, and the gels, creams, and loose and pressed powders that can help you achieve the same glamorous glow.  

Malin Ackerman

Photo courtesy The Heart Truth

Jamie Chung

Marisa Miller

Photo by Eva Rinaldi

Miranda Kerr

SHINE: INIKA Mineral Bronzer (Sunloving, for medium to dark complexions, and Sunseeker, for tanned skin and women of color). BEAUTY: Create an sun-kissed look which can be used over your foundation or moisturizer, or on its own. BEACON: Cruelty free and vegan. Contains no petrochemicals, talc, artificial colors or fragrances, parabens, DEA or sulphates.

SHINE: IT Cosmetics Vitality Glow Anti-Aging Matte Bronzer. BEAUTY: Vitamins A, C and E, peptides, green tea leaf extract and aloe vera leaf juice promote warmth and radiance to provide an airbrush effect. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: La Bella Donna Linea Minerale Compact Colour Bronze (Vision of Mineral Lights). BEAUTY: Four compressed mineral bronzing colors for the face utilize the skin’s naturally occurring tanning undertones of gold and red to help you get your glow on. BEACON: No animal testing. Contains no FD&C dyes, oils, talc, alcohol or fragrance. 

SHINE: Milani Cosmetics Baked Bronzer (Glow and Soleil) and TANtastic Face & Body Baked Bronzer (Fantastic in Gold). BEAUTY: Smooth sun splotches to create a dewy, dramatic look with sunflower seed oil, vitamin E, and aloe vera leaf and ginseng root extracts. BEACON: Cruelty free.

SHINE: Mineral Fusion Bronzer (Sparkle). BEAUTY: Mica, aloe vera, red tea and white tea leaf extracts, and pomegranate extract add warmth and a golden color to your complexion while also improving your overall skin health. BEACON: No animal testing. 

SHINE: Murad Absolute Bronzing Boost SPF 15 | PA++. BEAUTY: Sunscreen, jojoba and sweet almond oils, and pomegranate seed extracts help maximize sun safety, diminish fine lines and lock in luminosity. BEACON: No animal testing. 

SHINE: Phytomer Sun Radiance Self-Tanning Cream. BEAUTY: Create a silky spa skin appearance and achieve a fuller tan without leaving an oily residue with vitamin E, citric acid and hibiscus flower extract. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: Purely Pro Cosmetics Mineral Pressed Bronzer (Laguna). BEAUTY: Get a mineral makeup glow with this bronze hue in a pocket/purse-friendly compact that contains a mirror and brush compartment. BEACON: No animal testing. Supports Dress for Success.

SHINE: Sormé Treatment Cosmetics Baked Bronzer Wet/Dry (Warmth Bronzer and True Bronzer) and Shimmer Glow (Bronzed). BEAUTY: Restore radiance and step up your sparkle quotient with these bedazzling bronzers. BEACON: No animal testing. Supports Look Good...Feel Better.

SHINE: Suki Skincare Color Tinted Active Moisturizer (Natural). BEAUTY: Soothe skin and create a flawless finish with sunflower oil, grape and jojoba seed oils, and shea seed butter. BEACON: Cruelty free.

SHINE: Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics Mineral Radiance (Sunshine). BEAUTY: Mica, honeysuckle flower extract and jojoba seed oil help create a highlighter and a blush in one compact. BEACON: No animal testing.