This would be the second round of face and body enhancing surgeries she’s had in the last few years; she previously had a nose surgery performed and breast implants surgery.

In today’s world, it’s not something new to see a celebrity, or reality star, have a few nips here and tucks there. But when does it become an addiction and no longer a little tune-up?

Joan Rivers, Cher, Jocelyn Wildenstein, and Mickey Rourke are just some of the Hollywood stars who are known for their ever-changing looks. Now, the female half of “Speidi” seems to be the newest member of the plastic surgery addicts club.

And what exactly did Montag undergo? Well, here’s the laundry list of surgeries:

•    Botox injections
•    Mini brow lift
•    Nose surgery revision
•    Fat injections to cheeks and lips
•    Chin reduction
•    Liposuction to her neck
•    Ears pinned back
•    Buttocks augmentation
•    Liposuction to waist, thighs
•    Breast augmentation revision

The reality star and wannabe pop singer has been quoted saying that, “For the past three years, I’ve thought about what to have done…I’m beyond obsessed.” At only 23 years of age, Montag has had more procedures than an any of us can even think of! However, to be honest, her “new” look is attractive, but her “old” look was just as appealing and didn’t really need the work done. Had she done these procedures over an extended period of time there may not have been such a dramatic change. Whereas now, Mrs. Pratt is unrecognizable.

What do you all think? Did she succeed in achieving “the best me” with these surgeries?

Photo Credit: People and Examiner.com

Creams advertised to get rid of cellulite can be effective in cellulite prevention and treatment, but are not as effective as cosmetic treatments. However, by incorporating these creams into your everyday routine, circulation can be promoted, which the fat cells need to break up and smooth out the appearance of what some call “orange peel skin.”

After my experience, some of my fellow BeautyChatters decided to try out some of these at-home treatments to see if they would help them achieve significant results.

Here are their experiences:

Return to Slender Body Contouring Gel,  Soap and Glory: Jennifer

“I used the Return to Slender Body Contouring Gel as directed: twice a day for about three weeks on my tummy. I liked the cool, tingling feeling it gave off when I applied it, which made me think that it was actually doing something! However, after a while, I started to notice that it was causing me to itch and I had to stop using it. I tried the gel again after a week and couldn’t continue, due to the itching. But I did like how my skin felt. It was very soft and smooth.”

Bootcamp for Butts, Mama Mio: Jacquie

“This is a great four-step process to help your skin look and feel more firm. This is a must! I used it for almost four weeks and started noticing a difference in my skin texture within the first week of use.

Due to my daily use of the products, and incorporating the three-minute exercise routine along with it, I noticed a difference in my overall skin texture and tone.  The key to this four step process is massaging your skin, which activates and creates blood flow to your cells.  When I looked in the mirror after using the product, I noticed less dimples and way less visible, creepy skin on my arms.  I personally don’t like trotting around in the buff but I am more confident with my body as swimsuit season is quickly approaching.”

Slimwear Body Cream, Soap and Glory: Elana

“I was so excited to get a product, the Slimwear Body Cream that is designed to fight the battle of cellulite. Right below my bottom and on the outer sides of my hips (“saddlebags”), the cottage-cheese appearance makes me insane.

It had a nice consistency, not too watery and not to thick. Consciously, I made it a point to start at my ankles and move up, so that I am loosening up the cell formation. Because I exercise regularly, I couldn’t tell if the appearance of my cellulite improved because of the cream, the exercise, or a combination of both. For the most part, the Slimwear Body Cream is a nice addition to a healthy lifestyle.”

From their experiences and my own, there are ways we can diminish the appearance of cellulite with creams and other remedies, but even with regular maintenance, entirely getting rid of cellulite still has yet to find its ultimate solution.

What about you, have you tried any at-home treatments? How effective are they in diminishing the appearance of cellulite?

Photo Credit: Me! And Bootcamp for Butts

What are we to do? Aside from undergoing a cosmetic procedure – liposuction or tummy tuck surgery – there are many diets that we could try, including the “Five Bite Diet” that Dre and Jana are currently doing, but there are also other ways to lose the weight: diet pills. Or as some companies like to call them “dietary supplements.”

I’ll admit that in an attempt to drop a few pounds the easy way I did try a couple of different brands some years back. However, I failed to do as the bottle stated, which was to eat a sensible diet, exercise, and take the pills as supplements.

Many diets pills claim to help us lose weight quickly and easily, but they don’t bother to reveal all the negative side effects that they also bring along. Saying that we should consult with a physician prior to taking them is hardly enough warning that they may not be safe for us to use.

These supplements can lead to malnutrition, dehydration, anxiety or nervousness, heart problems, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, heart attacks, and even death if not monitored correctly. Are the risks worth the possibility of losing a few pounds?

Living in Southern California requires a beach ready bod and I’m determined to get into shape. Instead of trying to cheat with diet pills, I’ve started eating healthier and I’m working on incorporating more activities…soon. In the last month, I’ve already dropped eight pounds!

What do you do to get in shape for the beach? I’d love to get some fun ideas!

Photo Credit: Sheep Chronicles

I have struggled with weight loss for years, trying just about any thing there is out there without having to consider any plastic surgery procedures.  My friend Jana told me about a weight loss book she had been reading and suggested I read it; so I did.

The book is called “Why Weight Around” by Dr. Alwin C. Lewis. In the book, Dr. Lewis stresses that a portion controlled diet is the most effective strategy to losing weight.  He developed a two part weight loss program called “The Slimming Station.”

The first part is to read the book, which explains what the diet is and how it works.  The second part is to work one-on-one with a Slimming Station Coach; this helps maximize your success and maintain your goals. After both reading the book, Jana and I decided to try it.

Here is a quick overview of what we do (which we dubbed the “Five Bite Diet”):

-    Skip breakfast
-    Eat only twice a day, Lunch and Dinner. NO SNACKING!!
-    Each meal only consists of five bites each. (Bites not bigger than a bite size Snickers)
-    One bite of the day must be a good source of protein, such as chicken or steak
-    Take a multi-vitamin daily.
-    All drinks are to be low to zero calorie.

Even though this explanation seems pretty straight forward, I highly recommend reading the book or going to Dr. Lewis’s website before starting this diet.

Jana and I have had great success with this diet plan; though we haven’t completed step two of the program yet, we would love to in the future. We both lost 30lbs. by our sixth and seventh weeks.  I’ve never seen results this quickly.

Thanks, Jana, for introducing me to it, we’re doing great!

Photo Credit: Jana and Dre

Next I was given what I call the “No-No List” which basically said no hardcore cardio exercise – no running, no excessive use of stairs; the list went on and on. Being that I was never what you would consider a “gym enthusiast,” I didn’t really have a problem with the rules at the time, but quickly found out that just about every type of exercise that I was actually interested in was considered a No-No for me. This left me with a problem: How in the world was I supposed to keep myself from getting massively overweight if I was tired all the time and couldn’t do any real cardio?

Last year I started looking into exercise alternatives and I have to say, almost everything I have found has been fun and fulfilling for me. From Yoga and Pilates to scheduled walking and low speed bicycle rides, I found that there were tons of options out there for someone with limited exercise capability like me. Recently, I have really gotten into using my Wii Fit. It offers Yoga, which stretches my body and helps me to stay limber. It also provides strength training to build muscle and work off fat without getting my heart rate going. There are even a few really fun games like hoola hooping that helps to tighten up my abs and backside!

With all of the modern technology out there (and a little help from my handy-dandy wrist monitor), I am able to exercise and strengthen my body and heart, all the while keeping my actual heart rate at a reasonable level for my safety. Now, with summer on its way, I really need to get to work on improving my body and staying as healthy as can be!

Do you have any alternative exercises that you like to do? Do you know someone with a health condition who has had to be creative in order to maintain a lifestyle that includes regular exercise? I’d love to hear your ideas!

Photo Credit: Healthy Heart

Health.com recently posted a recommended list of the healthiest fast food restaurants; surprisingly, among that list was McDonald’s! However, keep in mind that just because McDonald’s is on this list, it doesn’t mean that all of the choices available on the menu are healthy; they just offer healthy selections for their consumers. The key is selective ordering when deciding to go with fast food for your meal of choice.

So, if you are trying to lose weight even when you’re on the go, here are some tips to follow when wanting to choose a healthier option at fast food joints:

*Pay attention to the descriptions on the menu: If it says deep fried, crispy, creamy, pan-fried, etc., it is more than likely high in fat and calories. Instead, look for items that contain leaner meats, such as fish and chicken, and stay away from cream sauces, like Alf redo.

*Skip the dressing: Leaving out cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, and other spreads can reduce a lot of fat from your meal. Go light or don’t have it on your food at all.

*Avoid eating on the run: The purpose of fast food is to get something on the go, but when you do have time to eat, take your time – chew your food thoroughly, you’re more likely to get full faster and eat less.

*Don’t add more salt: Most fast food choices are already high in sodium and salt, so do yourself a favor and don’t add more. Try to get the least salty options as possible.

*Find alternatives: If you are getting a meal that comes with fries and they offer other choices, replace the French fries with a healthier alternative. McDonald’s has a wide selection of replacements for fries on their menu, such as apples with low-fat caramel dip. Other restaurant may let you replace the fries with a salad (be sure to avoid creamy dressing).

*Check the nutritional information: Before going out to fast food restaurants it would be smart to look up the nutritional information online for some of the places you eat at most often. You can keep a mental note of the choices that are low in sodium, fat, calories, etc.

In most cases, you know what is fattening and what is not; the key is to think healthy. We all know that if it is dripping in grease, it is very likely to be infused in fat and loaded on calories. Keep in mind that most fast food meals are around 1,000 calories each (that takes up almost your entire caloric intake for the day!), so if the meal is a large portion, you can always eat half and save the rest for another meal, or you can share with a friend.

There are healthy choices available at fast food restaurants, look for them!

Photo Credit: The Book of Threes and Wisebread

So what was my solution? I would love to lose weight, but even with a healthy diet and regular exercise, it takes time. In the meantime, I have been hiding my flaws with SPANX ®.

Though they are nothing new, SPANX products are a great way to not only slim the body, but also hide those annoying panty lines (which I think is great! – I have never been a fan of thong underwear). Even celebrities are using SPANX to look fabulous on the red carpet!

What is great about SPANX is that they have shape wear that can suit just about anyone. If you cannot afford tummy tuck surgery or liposuction, SPANX products offer you an alternative option to slimming down your trouble areas.

My favorite body shaper is the Higher Power Panties; they slim and smooth from the lower thighs up to the waistline, which are my problem areas. When wearing shapelier dresses, I don’t have to worry about my tummy pooch bulging out or my panty lines showing. Plus, seeing how tight my body looks when wearing the shape wear has encouraged me to start losing weight; I am exercising more often and eating healthier.

If you are interested in SPANX, you can purchase them online or check with your local retailer that carries them, such as Nordstrom. Also, Sara Blakely, SPANX creator, has another shape wear line, now available at Target ®, ASSETS ®.

Photo Credit: AOL Style Blog and Jen’s camera

There have been a lot of arguments for and against Wii and the fitness benefits that it entails. This is what I get from the whole phenomenon – it may not be an option for a hardcore cardiovascular work-out (such as running or kick-boxing), but it definitely does get an individual motivated and work off his/her booty! (Which is an improvement for the inactive population). On top of that, Wii challenges its players, as you get better at a particular skill, the game is designed to make the activity more difficult.

I have yet to try out Wii Fit, but apparently it has its benefits; the game performs a body test by weighing you, calculating your body mass index, and leading you through a series of balance exercises. Depending on these results, it offers suggestions for improvement and then asks you to set a goal. In essence, it is assisting you in setting objectives and motivating you to stick to them, which doesn’t seem to be a bad attribute at all.

Whether or not Wii promises to make you look like a supermodel, it doesn’t hurt to play. In retrospect, it does promote physical activity, which I never see as being a bad characteristic. Experts are only concerned about the increase in Wii-related injuries since the game console has been released.

“Wiititis” (having an over-exertion of Wii play) gamers are encouraged to stretch-out and warm-up with jumping jacks or running in place before Wii play. In addition, Wii gamers are also advised to limit their playing time if they feel muscle soreness or any other pain – in other words, treat Wii just like any other work-out; stretch, warm-up, and cool-down every time you play to prevent injuries.

As far as my Wii addiction, I feel a difference in my energy level – playing Wii has inspired me to start jogging on a regular basis again. For some reason, it gets me motivated to stay active and get into better shape.

Am I the only one alone with this addiction? Have any of you tried the Wii Fit? And if you have, do you believe you have gained fitness benefits from playing it? (Let me know, I want to try it!)

Photo Credit: Alexis Bacchu and Geek Force Five

On the other hand, some people are taking a lack of concern in their health and refraining from purchasing prescription medications, which is a necessity for many .

According to the Center for Studying Health System Change in Washington, D.C., due to the increase in prescription cost, most of those who have chronic conditions (making it crucial to continue their meds) are not purchasing them because they simply cannot afford to do so.

But what can people still afford? Their vice! Despite the slow economy, Americans are buying more chocolate, alcohol, and cigarettes than they were before. In fact, it is predicted that Americans’ purchases of these small indulgences will go up 28 percent by 2011 and chocolate sales alone with go up four percent every year for the next six years. A projected $77.8 billion has been spent on alcohol purchases in 2008, which is a 32 percent increase from 2003 (According to Mintel, a media and market research company in Chicago).  In retrospect, most alcohol spenders are cutting back by drinking at home instead of going out; however, they are still consuming just as much as before.

These facts don’t surprise me in the least bit, and I must admit I am still spending money on alcohol (don’t tell my mother, it’ll break her heart). I am unwilling to give up certain pleasures in my life, but I have found a way to stop spending in other areas; such as the lack of a haircut in six months, the dollar store has become my best friend, my feet are seriously overdue for a pedicure, and Victoria’s Secret has forgotten who I am. However, I do not have a need for prescription meds. But if they were a necessity, you better believe I would cut down my spending even more than I already have. My life is more important than having cute underwear.

As this phenomenon perplexes me, I have a couple of questions to ask all of you: What are you cutting back on to make up for the poor economy? And what small indulgences are you still splurging on?

Photo Credit: Belaray Dermatology and My Fray, Your Blog

Want to know how to get your eyebrows perfectly shaped? Or, where to go for the perfect top to wear on a special night? Send in your questions and we’ll help you get through your beauty dilemma.

We have a wide range of specialties within our “Beauty Chatters,” which means we’re sure to have an answer to your questions. So let’s get started!

Question: I’m really into punk rock, and I really want to look cool and edgy BUT still feel feminine and sexy. What do you suggest?

Answer: I completely understand the need to look the part but still feel like yourself as well! There are lots of little things that you can do to accomplish this. Fake eyelashes are a great way to add a little extra pizzazz to your look while giving you that little secret extra something to make you feel feminine. Giving yourself an edgy hairstyle but accenting it with something uber girly like a bow or a flower can make you look like Joan Jett but feel more like Hayley Williams.

~Audrey

Dear BC:
As my 2009 New Year’s Resolution, I have decided to pick up better habits, such as exercising on a regular basis. I haven’t been on a regular exercise program for years and I am sure where to start. I have a hard time staying motivated as it is, do you have any suggestions on how to get started?
-Exercise Challenged-

Dear Exercise Challenged:
Good for you! Starting an exercise program is a great start on picking up better habits; it will encourage you to pick up other healthy habits or drop unhealthy habits. There are so many different types of activities you can do for exercise. For an all over workout, if that is your goal, you may start jogging, walking, or even swimming, whichever you prefer. For the motivation part, find a buddy who is similar to you as far as health goals. Set a schedule to meet for working out. If you can’t find a buddy to work-out with and you have a dog, walking him/her every day is another activity you can pick up; it is not only good for you, but for your dog too. I hope those suggestions help and good luck!

~ Sara

Question:  When applying loose powder eye shadow, how do you prevent eye shadow dust from landing on your face and ruining your face makeup i.e.: foundation, blush, etc?

Answer:  Dust a heavy layer of loose translucent powder between your eyelid and top of your cheekbone before applying the eye shadow.  When application is complete, using a powder brush, sweep away the translucent powder.  This will not remove your face makeup and prevent unwanted color streaks from the eye shadow.

~Dre

Question: Starting this new year, I want to make sure that I only wear the most flattering pieces. How do I know which styles will work best for my body type?

Answer: Well, you are not alone! As someone with a “pear shape” (storing fat below my waistline, on my hips, thighs, and bottoms, as opposed to on my stomach and mid-section), I can tell you that I understand how challenging it can be to find the perfect pieces. First off, you must realistically assess your size and shape. Whether you are a pear shape or more of an “apple shape” (with a wide torso, including a full bust, waist and upper back, in which you store your body fat around the midsection of your body, such as your stomach, abdomen and chest), know what you are working with! A makeup artist wouldn’t just recommend any ‘ol color for you to wear on your lips or eyes, right? Course not. It would be based on several factors, like your lip shape, the tone of your skin, the shape of your eyes, etc.

So when it comes to your body, don’t just throw anything on just because you might like how, say, pop star Rihanna may wear it!

Take mental notes when you watch fashion television, such as: What Not to Wear, How Do I Look?, Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style, Peter Perfect, The Rachel Zoe Project, and Project Runway.

Be sure to also check out Jennifer’s “Dress Your Shape” article, in which she sheds light on other types of bodies, such as the “hourglass shape,” the “triangular shape,” and the “boyish shape.”

~ Elana

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