In addition to providing Beauty Chat for y’all, our company is also home to several other websites, including iEnhance.com, PlasticSurgery.com, and CosmeticSurgery.com. So the writers of Beauty Chat also spend their time contributing to these online properties.

Beauty Chat was actually developed based on the idea that beauty isn’t just about surgery; it’s about finding beauty within and working your way outwards. Skincare, makeup, and fashion all contribute to enhancing your image, which are commonly the subjects of our conversations with you!

So, in order to serve your needs and continue to create a place where you can feel at ease browsing around and reading up on your favorite topics, we have created a survey for you to take. Not only would we simply appreciate this, as it will help to gauge the direction of our articles, but there is also something in it for you too!

As a thank you for being a loyal Beauty Chat fan, we have put together a basket of goodies. By filling out our survey and commenting on this post, you will be entered to win a basket of skincare and beauty products.

This contest, in which the winner will be randomly chosen, will last about two weeks – ’til March 19th! Thank you again for being so fabulous.

Chat with ya soon!

Elana

Photo Credit: Zazzle

Apparently, her ex-beau has been obsessed with the Hollywood star ever since they started dating 18 months ago – photographs of Alba used to cover their apartment and he constantly talked about her.

Individuals who want to look like their favorite celebrity is nothing new in today’s media. Shows such as ABC’s “Extreme Makeover” and MTV’s “I Want a Famous Face” revealed the extent that people are willing to go to transform their entire appearance to look like anyone other than themselves.

However, when do we decide someone is taking plastic surgery too far? And is it healthy for this woman to undergo cosmetic surgery for the purpose of winning a lover back?

I understand that when it comes to dating it is perfectly natural to want to look good for a significant other. Dressing up for a night out or changing one’s hair is reasonable in “spicing” up the relationship, but completely transforming your looks? That goes beyond just up-keeping the appearance.

According to Xiaoqing, she wants to undergo multiple surgeries, because she has never been able to let her ex-boyfriend go. “If in the end he still does not accept me after I undergo the plastic surgeries, I will give up. I will then choose to let go, start afresh and live life by myself,” she said.

Unfortunately, she will still have to live with the “Alba” face she will receive because of him. When making the decision to undergo plastic surgery, most doctors will agree that the choice should be something you should make for yourself.

What do you think about her decisions for undergoing plastic surgery? Have you ever changed your outer appearance for a significant other?

Photo Credit: Chica Inc. and Reuters

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

Brazilian-native Dr. Robert Rey, the star of E! Entertainment’s Reality TV show “Dr. 90210,” is now reaching out to women overseas. This September, he launched his lingerie line, “Shapewear,” in Brazil – a post-operative, body slimming undergarment line that has already gained popularity in the states. Having partnered up with retailer Polishop.com.br, Dr. Rey’s collection of body shaping, sexy, elegant lingerie is… Continue reading on iEnhance.com.

Photo Credit: Dr. Robert Rey

Thank you for your patience, dear readers. Currently, Beauty Chat is going through various changes – as many blogs do! So we hope that you continue to enjoy our site’s thorough selection of articles.

Missed all of 2008’s skincare discussions? Want to see before and after celebrity plastic surgery photos? Visit our archive and see what’s up. We continue to receive your comments, and appreciate your involvement.

…This is a sincere message from all of us Beauty Chatters! Enjoy your summer, and hope to meet up with us again soon.

*Please refrain from sending products and e-mailing pitches until Beauty Chat is back.

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

As for treatment, there are various options out there to alleviate the appearance of cellulite, but not completely remove it. There are at-home treatments, plastic surgery procedures (lipodissolve or mesotherapy), and spa treatments (endermologie or velasmooth).

Unfortunately, spa and medical services are a little pricey, so I decided to try an at-home treatment called Java Junkie 3-in-1 cellulite system for my cottage cheese thighs.

What was interesting about Java Junkie is that it is made from coffee grounds; in this case you can safely go into caffeine overload. Caffeine (on the skin) is good at alleviating the appearance of cellulite temporarily because it induces blood flow and works as a diuretic. This product is a great choice for all the coffee addicts out there. I am not your typical coffee fiend, but I do love the smell of it, so I painlessly tried this product out; all the while smelling like a fresh cup of Joe.

Java Junkie is a combination of a scrub, wrap, and lotion, making it easier to clean and moisturize; eliminating steps. There are two options when using this product, you can either use it as a scrub a couple times a week or use it as a wrap (by scrubbing into the skin and wrapping cellophane over the desired area). I decided to use it as a scrub three times a week, it made it convenient because I could just use it while I shower. I made sure to massage my thighs as I used the scrub.

After a couple days of use, I could see the difference; my skin was a lot tighter and smoother. I am sure if I had used the product as a wrap, my results would have been more dramatic; however, I was impressed at how soft my skin was within a weeks time. Overall, I was satisfied with the results.

For all of the coffee lovers out there, or if you would like espresso finished skin, you will love this product. I would definitely recommend Java Junkie to those who would like to tighten up skin and minimally reduce the appearance of cellulite.

If you would like to learn more about Java Junkie, visit their Web site.

Stay tuned for other great at-home cellulite product reviews.

Photo Credit: Jen Sibley PR

If you’re looking for a little help in figuring out what actually works, take a look at my review on the new book by Daniel Yarosh, Ph.D., The Science of Perfect Skin – Understanding Skin-Care Myths and Miracles for Radiant Skin at Any Age. Now you can learn how to read a product label and the type of skin care regimen that actually works for you!

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Rpr Marketing Communications

As I typically do where trends are concerned, I came a little late to the mineral pigments party. My foray into this brave, not-so-new world was long overdue – so recently, I opted to finally give pigments a try. Skin care obsessive that I am, I already knew that ColoreScience, which is popular with dermatologists and plastic surgeons because of the company’s focus on skin protection, was the right brand to start out with.

 I picked up the ColoreScience Skin Perfecting Kit, which contains their Line Tamer (a really good nighttime skin care product), Corrector Kit, “Sunforgettable” loose translucent powder, and a calming aromatherapy gem spritzer. Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Um, ok…where’s the mineral pigment?” Read on, my lovelies…this is the important part!

 The ColoreScience Pressed Mineral Pigment Compact, (sold separately), is available in three shades, designed for great coverage, and provides lasting sun protection. Does it contain sunscreen? Not in the sense that their other products do; rather than an actual SPF, the pressed pigment compact is made up of minerals like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. In addition, it has Vitamins A and E…anyone remember what they do for our skin? Plus, it’s naturally-scented with rose geranium, lavender, and sandalwood.

Now, for novices like me, a word to the wise: I’ve found that this product blends more smoothly, and appears far more attractive, if it’s applied to moisturized skin. So, if you happen to purchase the Line Tamer, dab some on about 10 minutes before applying the pigment (or just use your favorite moisturizer). Oh, and the aforementioned Corrector Kit? It’s a little palette that contains multiple pigment colors, so you can blend the shades you need to achieve optimal pigment correction (this is great if you have recently undergone facial rejuvenation).

To order ColoreScience products, check out www.colorescience.com or search for an online retailer who carries their line.

Photo credit: Beauty and Fashion Tech

Sure, the PlasticSurgery.com community may revolve more around plastic surgeries, such as breast implant surgery and nose jobs, as well as youth-defying procedures like Botox injections and the mini facelift, but doesn’t mean that these topics are stand-alone. One of the reasons why Beauty Chat was created, as you pretty much already know, is to bridge the gap between all that makes us “Look Good, Feel Good, and Speak on It!”

A plastic surgery forum is just another one of our stops, where you can relax and kick up your feet. And you’ll notice that some of us Beauty Chatters like to chit-chat from topic to topic in the forums as well…See ya there!

Photo credit: Plastic Sergeant