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.

Mother's Day Gift Set Guide: Get the New Mom Glow of Kate Middleton

Photo by AshleyMott

Three cheers for new mom Kate Middleton. She looks better than ever after giving birth to Prince George last summer. 

During her recent visit to Australia with Prince William and their baby heir to the throne, the Duchess of Cambridge got rave reviews for her radiant glow and sense of style. She wowed in fashion choices by designers such as Tory Burch and Diane Von Furstenberg. In fact, after she wore a bright, fitted, "banana" frock by Roksanda Ilincic, sales of yellow dresses increased by 95% on ebay.

She's also known for her natural effortless look--minimal makeup and full, healthy long locks. So no need to dust off the crown jewels, as her bright smile and flawless face sparkle more than any royal diamond or sapphire. Her balanced skin tone and creamy complexion look as velvety smooth as an English rose.

On Sunday, the duchess will celebrate her first Mother's Day with Prince George. In honor of her fresh-faced, new mom glow, we've compiled the latest skincare gift sets and kits that create lift and/or luminosity. They contain anti-aging facial cleansers and creams, eye treatments and body moisturizers that address dry, damaged and uneven skin pigmentation. 

Take a look-see! These products make great gifts for your mom or to keep for yourself. No matter what your age, they'll help your skin feel as soft as a baby's you-know-what in no time. Happy Mother's Day!

SHINE: Gingi Eye Treatment Gift Set (Emmy's Official Presenter's Gift Box). BEAUTY: Instant Eye Lift Masks and Instant Eye Lift Cream minimize age lines, puffiness and dark circles to give the skin in your orbital area a more youthful appearance. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: Murad Youthful Skin Renewal Kit. BEAUTY: Counteract the symptoms of hormonal aging and restore radiance with Renewing Cleansing Cream, Age-Diffusing Serum, Age-Balancing Night Cream and Renewing Eye Cream. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: Pacifica Good Karma Skincare Set. BEAUTY: Purify your skin, protect your lips from the elements and prevent premature aging with Sea Foam Complete Face Wash, Dreamy Youth Day and Night Face Cream, Alight Multi-Mineral BB Cream and Natural Color Quench Lip Tint (Guava Berry). BEACON: Vegan and cruelty free. Contains no parabens, mineral and peanut oils, petroleum, carmine or FD&C colors.

SHINE: Pevonia Lumafirm Face and Body Gift Set. BEAUTY: LumaFirm Repair Cream Lift & Glow, Freeze-Dried Intensifier and Body Moisturizer help lock in moisture and maximize suppleness. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens, alcohol, lanolin, mineral oil, PABA, urea, formaldehyde, artificial colors and sulfates.


SHINE: 100% Pure Red Wine Resveratrol Skin Care Gift Set. BEAUTY: Prevent signs of aging, environmental damage and loss of elasticity with Red Wine Resveratrol Scrub + Mask, Antioxidant Serum, Nourishing Cream and Eye Cream. BEACON: Vegan, and gluten and cruelty free. Contains no detergents, synthetic chemicals, or artificial fragrances or colors.

National Sleep Awareness Week: Prevent Premature Aging with Proper Rest & Nighttime Skin Treatments

Slumber party: Sweet deep sleep.

Time to get your beauty rest. It's National Sleep Awareness Week!

Most of us don't get a good night's sleep. However, proper rest not only improves your health and quality of life, it may also significantly increase your longevity. In fact, researchers say that seven to eight hours of Zzzs each night help boost your memory, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and keep your emotional well-being in check.

On the other hand, lack of sleep can wreak havoc on your body and complexion. If your skin doesn't get a chance to renew and repair itself during the night, it can result in sagging, puffy eyes, dark circles and premature aging. Plus, the way you position yourself in bed can cause problems, so avoid sleeping on your side or stomach. It may result in facial creasing, fine lines and wrinkling. Instead, rest on your back and stay in this position throughout the night.

If you need to step up your slumber strategy, the National Sleep Foundation suggests the following tips: 

 • Avoid napping during the day.

 • Prior to bedtime, steer clear of caffeine, chocolate, nicotine and alcohol.

 • Participate in regular exercise.

 • Establish a relaxing bedtime routine, such as sipping a cup of herbal tea or listening to soothing music. 

 • Keep your sleep environment comfortable, quiet and cool (between 60 and 67 degrees).

You also want to maintain proper skincare practices as much at night as you do in the morning. This means you need to remove your makeup and cleanse your face prior to bedtime to keep your pores unclogged. Plus, apply a nourishing night cream that will help hydrate and heal your skin while you sleep without irritating it. 

The following moisturizers will turn you into a sleeping beauty in no time. Sweet dreams!

SHINE: B-Leve B-Restful Rejuvenating Night Cream. BEAUTY: Deeply moisturize and mend damaged skin cells with safflower and castor oils, grape stem cell extract and peptides. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: Neutrogena Naturals Multi-Vitamin Nourishing Night Cream. BEAUTY: Replenish essential skin nutrients and restore radiance with yerba mate tea leaf, and inca inchi, olive and castor oils. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of sulfates, parabens, petrolatum, dyes and phthalates. Supports The Nature Conservancy and Forest Stewardship Council.

SHINE: Skin Authority Night Revitalizer. BEAUTY: Brighten dull skin and tighten fine lines with sunflower seed oil, glycolic acid, aloe vera leaf juice and algae extract. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens, dyes and added fragrances. Supports Look Good...Feel Better.

SHINE: Veria Innerdosha Ideal Night Moisturizer. BEAUTY: Sunflower seed oil, shea fruit butter, hyaluronic acid and peptides help restart collagen production and smooth fine lines while you sleep. BEACON: Vegan and cruelty free. Contains no parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, sulfates, artificial colors or GMOs.

SHINE: Vie Collection Night Peel Progressive Resurfacing Cream. BEAUTY: Gently exfoliate your skin to leave it more luminous with vitamin E, and algae and shea butter extracts. 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.

National Magic Week: How to Make Signs of Aging Disappear in the Blink of an Eye

I performed my first magic trick at the age of 8 when I made water disappear from a drinking glass. Truth be told, while my family closed their eyes, I recited an impromptu incantation and then sucked up the water with a straw as quickly as possible. When they reopened their eyes, it appeared as though the liquid had vanished into thin air. And, poof--faster than you can say "the wizarding world of Harry Potter"--I became an aspiring Hermione Granger.

Now, as a beauty blogger, I get to show women how to perform their own vanishing acts. By selecting products with the right ingredients for their skin type, they can make crows feet, wrinkles and expression lines disappear--and that's no hocus pocus. 

In honor of National Magic Week, which began last Friday and ends on Halloween, we've assembled some of the best anti-aging moisturizers, serums and night creams on the market. Their bag of tricks includes healing and hydrating hyaluronic acid, peptides, vitamins and green tea extract, which help transform sagging skin into a silky smooth complexion. 

You'll feel like you're on a magic carpet ride!

SHINE: CellCeuticals CellGenesis. BEAUTY: Peptides and vitamin E will hold you spellbound, as they promote cellular regeneration and renew skin's smoothness. BEACON: No animal testing and vegan. Contains no artificial colorants or fragrances, sodium lauryl sulfate, phthalates or parabens.

SHINE: Dionis Goat Milk Skincare Green Conscience Wrinkle Cream. BEAUTY: Create your own disappearing act, as marine extracts, vitamin E, coconut oil and hyaluronic acid help make signs of premature aging vanish. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens.

SHINE: Hydroxatone Anti-Aging BB Cream, AM/PM Anti-Wrinkle Complex and Intensive Overnight Repair. BEAUTY: Vitamins C and E, peptides and hyaluronic acid work their magic to firm and lift the appearance of skin, and improve overall strength, resiliency and volume. BEACON: Contains no parabens.

SHINE: Kate Somerville Deep Tissue Repair. BEAUTY: You don't need any smoke or mirrors with this high-performance hydrator, as it reduces the visible depth and density of fine lines and wrinkles with macadamia and jojoba seed oils, vitamin E, peptides and hyaluronic acid. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: Refineé Line Stop. BEAUTY: Abracadabra! Green tea extract and peptides help you dramatically diminish the look of expression lines, crows feet and furrows. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: Skin Authority Wrinkle Reversing Serum. BEAUTY: This serum will cast a spell over you, as it maximizes moisture retention, and plumps and fills folds and wrinkles with lactic acid, vitamin C, and orange and lemon peel oils. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens, dyes and added fragrances. Supports Look Good...Feel Better.

Put a Ring on It: Hydrating Hand Creams for Holiday Marriage Proposal Season

The Proposal by Giacomo Mantegazza (1853-1920)

Happy Thanksgiving week! Not only do Americans spend this special holiday connecting and calorie loading with family and friends, they also have a higher likelihood of getting engaged. Chalk it up to the sugar rush of pumpkin pies or the mass consumption of alcoholic beverages, but Thanksgiving curiously marks the start of proposal season--which lasts until the end of the year.

More than one in four grooms ask for their bride's hand in marriage on Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or New Year's Eve. In fact, the months of November and December account for more than 25% of proposals, according to some reports. This means if you see someone getting down on bended knee during the holidays, chances are he probably doesn't intend to pick up cookie crumbs off the carpet. 

In honor of marriage proposal season, we've compiled several hand creams, lotions and scrubs. They not only promote the appearance of silky smooth hands, but they also deliver the moisture needed to fend off dry skin during the winter months. We can't guarantee that you'll be hearing wedding bells in your immediate future, but you'll definitely be the belle of the holiday ball.

SHINE: Ava Anderson Hand & Body Lotion. BEAUTY: Maximize moisture with aloe vera gel, shea butter, and sweet almond, pomegranate and coconut oils. BEACON: Vegan and no animal testing. Free of gluten, nuts, parabens, PEGs, SLS, triclosan, synthetic fragrances and dyes, phthalates, formaldehyde and nitrosamine.

SHINE: Elizabeth Grant Hand & Foot Cream. BEAUTY: Aloe vera extract and vitamin E nourish chapped hands, elbows and heels. BEACON: No animal testing. Supports Mount Sinai Hospital and Sick Kids Foundation.

SHINE: Fleur's Velvet Hand Cream. BEAUTY: Soften skin and prevent dehydration with shea and cocoa butters, sweet almond oil and honey extract. BEACON: No animal testing and vegan. Free of fragrances, dyes, sulfates, petrolatum, alcohol, mineral oil and parabens.

SHINE: Lamas Beauty by Peter Lamas Spa Sensuals Hand Cream and Hand Scrub. BEAUTY: Shea butter, sweet almond oil, and green tea and aloe vera leaf extracts help remove dead skin cells and prevent moisture loss. BEACON: Vegan and no animal testing. Free of parabens. 

SHINE: LATHER AHA Hand Creme with Evening Primrose. BEAUTY: Smooth and soften hands with alpha hydroxy acids, evening primrose oil and lemongrass leaves. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of sulfates and parabens.

SHINE: M-61 Vitablast C Hand Cream. BEAUTY: Grape seed and avocado oils, aloe vera leaf juice and vitamin E help nourish and brighten dehydrated hands. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances and dyes. Supports Action Against Hunger. 

SHINE: Moonessence Hand & Body Moisturizer SPF 15 (Orange Honey). BEAUTY: Soothe dry skin and help prevent sunburn with aloe vera juice, coconut oil, zinc oxide and vitamin E. BEACON: Vegan and gluten free. Supports the Carousel Fund. 

SHINE: Phytoceane Hydra-Conditioning Hand Cream. BEAUTY: Green micro algae, red seaweed, shea butter and sweet almond oil increase skin's softness and suppleness. BEACON: Contains no parabens.

SHINE: Priti NYC Deep For Your Hands & Feet Organic Cream. BEAUTY: Stimulate circulation and promote youthful looking skin with shea butter, and grape seed, apricot kernel and peppermint oils. BEACON: No animal testing and vegan.