On Monday, August 16^th, well-known Hollywood plastic surgeon Dr. Frank Ryan died in a car accident. It has been rumored that the famous doctor was tweeting while driving when his automobile turned off the highway. Dr. Ryan was most recently in the spotlight when Heidi Montag emerged with a new face and body – the celebrity plastic surgeon performed 10 procedures in one day.

As Hollywood mourns the death of Dr. Ryan, patients who relied on his expertise, such as Heidi, may need to search for another surgeon. There have been claims that she suffers from body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), which is what led to the multiple procedures she had done in November of last year. Should she wish to undergo further cosmetic enhancements, a surgeon with experience in treating patients with BDD would be the best option. As many celebrities have spoken out on Dr. Ryan’s caring bedside manner and compassion to his patients, he will be greatly missed by many.

Photo Credit: NYDailyNews.com

In case you haven’t heard, “The Hills” star Heidi Montag underwent 10 cosmetic surgery procedures in one day back in November 2009.

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

New breast implants, new music vid. What’s next for The Hills‘ Heidi Montag? Let’s hope, an Oscar-winning performance, similar to the likes of her celebutante comrads, with Spencer Pratt as her leading man;)

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hlofmmQAnY[/video]

Go ahead, comment away!

It’s been a few days since the season finale of MTV’s The Hills, where things did not initially look good for Lauren Conrad. But they sure did for Whitney Port!  Summoned into the office of Teen Vogue editor-in-chief Lisa Love, Whitney was informed that she would “again” be going to Paris, this time to help out at the Crillon Ball, where the highest of high society teens merge to come out as debutantes. Lauren, on the other hand, “had her chance to go” (two years ago, which she turned down).  Lucky for Lauren, though…it was later confirmed that she would indeed be needed after all. Amidst her lamenting for the heart of Brody Jenner, Lauren could barely contain her excitement.

Over at Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag’s place, a wedding postponement, if not break-up scene, did take place. Whether or not it was authentic is unconfirmed, but the closing scene, which depicted Heidi symbolically driving off into the L.A. sunset alone, was enough to warm my jaded heart.

On Season 3 of The Hills, MTV’s “Aftershow” has mostly been an exclusively online feature.  But for the big finale, hosts Jessie and Dan were at Area nightclub for a red carpet event featuring all the cast members we could handle. Our friend Elodie Otto was there, snapping backstage photos of cast members with her (very Parisian!) Jolie en Rose bottles. But the Big Announcement came from Lauren herself, who told us that, “The season isn’t really over!” What??? Looks like “The Hills goes to Paris” (or insert your own unofficial title) will be coming to MTV soon.

Do you think Beauty Chat should continue its weekly rundowns and follow the Hills to foreign territory?

~ Brook

Photo Credits: www.MTV.com
 

When Beauty Chat recently announced the launch of Elodie Otto’s new bath and body line, Jolie en Rose par Elodie, this yummy collection of shower gels, lotions, and bubble baths was only available online. (Don’t worry, it’s still there!)

Now, we are pleased to announce that you can also purchase all of these delectable “flavors,” ranging from coconut to caramel apple to banana, at Nordstrom at the Grove in Los Angeles. To kick off this exclusive launch (of the Nordstrom venture and the holiday season), this former cast member of MTV’s The Hills made a personal appearance at “Nordi” on December 1st.

Much to my delight, she let me in on some highlights of the event. “There was a huge response!” Elodie says. “I was talking to a lot of people about the product, and was definitely happy to take pictures with the fans.” Since I had to know which of the items is the current favorite, Elodie told me that the Noix de Coco  and Barbe a Papa shower gels were the top sellers of the event. (In fact, they actually sold out!)

Also, she says, “A lot of people are LOVING the banana (Banane Flambee), since no one has ever had anything like it…it’s so sweet and yummy!”

Even celebrities turned out to show their support for Jolie en Rose (here she is pictured with “Transformers” star Megan Fox, who brought along fiancé Brian Austin Green). While the crowds were definitely there to support Elodie’s line, some fans just couldn’t resist asking The Question. “Everyone wants to know if I am going back on the show!” Other than the appearance revealed below (you heard it here first!), her response to them is, “The show is reality, so it goes where it goes…we will just have to wait and see next season!” On behalf of those fans, Elodie, we accept that answer. But, if you come back on The Hills, we open our flavorfully-scented arms! 

If you missed Elodie’s LA Nordstrom appearance, no worries! She is scheduled to return there for a second event on December 15th, from 12 p.m. –  4 p.m. She plans to make samples available that day, for those who wish to try before they buy. Jolie en Rose is also retailed at Urban Angels Boutique in Arizona.

Elodie is scheduled to appear on the LIVE red carpet finale of The Hills on Monday, December 10th! Be sure to watch and check back for my Special Edition re-cap!

~ Brook

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Elodie combined with my Beauty Chat artistic touch!

On this next-to-last episode of The Hills Season 3, the air was thick with tension for just about everyone. As preparations were made for Lauren Conrad and Audrina Patridge’s Halloween party (the first gathering I’ve ever seen at their apartment), it seemed that Brody Jenner was on everyone’s mind. Throughout the episode, from Whitney to Audrina to Lo, Lauren divulged her hope for a legit relationship with Brody, if only he would retire his player status. Could it happen? In the parallel universe of The Hills on MTV, I suppose anything is possible…

But not on Halloween night! What I did find notable was the costume run-down, as follows: Lauren: 1920’s flapper, Audrina: Huh?, Brody and Frankie: Batman/Robin, Jen Bunney: Huh???, Whitney: applied the “Mean Girls” Halloween rule to ladybug costume (come on Whit, you’re better than that!), and the other guests: more of the same rule with different critters. In my opinion, the male costume of the night goes to Corey, Audrina’s new guy who arrived in sailor attire (and who, it is later noted, bathes and is a keeper, in addition to being an “Aussie”). It looked like a pretty good party (complete with an out of control fog machine) until Lauren’s hopes for a Halloween hook-up were dashed, and  Brody took off.

( Lauren glams it up, but it wasn’t enough to reel in Brody on All Hallow’s Eve. )

Meanwhile, it was same-old-same-old for Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag, with a little help from Reality TV’s newest supervillain, sister Stephanie She-Pratt. The big climax before next week’s season finale was yet another wedding fight, ending in yet another Spencer walk-out (where he goes each time this happens is anybody’s guess. If anyone wants to take a stab at it, I’m listening). Finally, Lauren and Brody dined at Off Vine in Hollywood, where talks of becoming exclusive didn’t go very far (but we did get to hear the respectful nicknames that Brody gives to girls on his speed dial). Let’s hope for a more climactic finale next week!

~ Brook

Photo Credits: www.MTV.com
 

On episode 16 of The Hills Season 3, we were blessed with double-whammy plot points. To start: Stephanie Pratt, the similarly villainous sister of Spencer Pratt, rolled into town with her own insights on her bro and Heidi Montag’s engagement situation. In the first five of her 15 minutes, “She-Pratt” (as she was later referred to) proclaimed that she was all for a Spencer-style wedding in Tibet (?!), complete with her as the officiate, much to the chagrin of Heidi.

Later, Lauren Conrad and the gang spend a night at Opera in Hollywood, where She-Pratt and her sidekick Roxy Olin (who hardcore fans know as a key player in The Great “The Hills is Fake” Debate) confront Lauren in a high-school-hallway-style showdown. Like every good girl fight that takes pace in front of a locker, declarations of hatred and “You don’t even know me” were exchanged. (Poor Lauren. She was trying to be the bigger person, but that line reminds me of bad daytime talk shows). But wait! Look over there, it’s plot twist number two: Justin Bobby is kissing another girl! And not just any girl – a redheaded semi-goth with black lipstick. Or was he?

We’re still not sure, but fortunately, Audrina Patridge finally meant it this time when she said, “I’m done!” Now that the break-up with Justin Bobby is official, is this the last we’ll see of him on The Hills on MTV? Perhaps. But for those of us who like the slacker-passing-off-as-a-bohemian-painter look, he’ll surely live on in our hearts. 

~ Brook

Photo Credit: www.eonline.com

We’re down to the last couple of episodes of Season 3 of The Hills on MTV, where most fans seem to be occupied with these prime concerns: 1.) Discontent over much-publicized allegations of fakery, and 2.) “More Whitney!”.  Well, the producers stay mum on the first subject, but they sure have responded to the Whitney Port War Cry.  All of a sudden, the girl is everywhere!  At Beauty Chat, we couldn’t be happier. 

It looks like Jarrett, the girls’ personal trainer (previously featured on a date with Audrina Patridge) now has Whit on his agenda as well.  While helping Lauren Conrad, Audrina, and Whitney with their reps this week, Jarrett took it upon himself to ask Whitney to join him on a run sometime. Whit was a little overeager in her response (ya think? She was almost salivating), but he was not deterred, and the two trekked through the Runyon Canyon Park trails the next day.�
 Later, there was a dinner date comprised of incessant chatter on Jarrett’s part, peppered by unique colloquialisms such as, “So, what’s your sign?”…need I say more?  I’m thinking that in spite of Whit’s polite interest and semi-excited recap of the date to Lauren, this one isn’t going very far.

(Heidi is thrilled with the church wedding concept, but Spence cringes at the notion of pre-marital counseling.)

But what would The Hills on MTV be without a visit from our favorite couple?  This week, Spencer Pratt continued his quest to thwart Heidi Montag’s plans for the perfect wedding by claiming that he has paid for a Las Vegas wedding package. Heidi responded by dramatically removing her engagement bling and placing it in front of him before exiting stage left. Spending the night with his folks (I presume), Spence returned the next day to reconcile with Heidi as all epic romances do. Aww, sweet. 

~Brook

Photo Credits: www.MTV.com

The weekend is almost upon us, but it’s never too late to catch up with The Hills on MTV. Here goes: In week thirteen, Lauren Conrad and Whitney Port pulled off the Teen Vogue Young Hollywood party beautifully. The Marc by Marc Jacobs fashion show was enjoyed by all, and although they resisted her ideas through every step of preparation, Lisa Love and Amy Astley congratulated Whitney on a job well done.

This week (episode 14), the girls were rewarded with tickets to the bash for Declare Yourself, a group that promotes voter registration.  Was it the carefree night they had hoped for?  Not if Heidi can help it.  Yes, Heidi Montag and her new office mate were – gasp! – invited to the event as well.  Channeling her inner eighth grader, Heidi strolled over to the table to start something with Lauren. In keeping with the theme of the event, Lauren declared herself by refusing to speak with Heidi unless she was going to apologize.  Thus, the confrontation died out rather quickly.

      (Awkward! Heidi confronts Lauren with demands for a reconciliation.)

But in Season 3 of MTV The Hills, Heidi has shown us that she does not give up easily – the next day, she sends Lauren a string of IM’s at the office until a meeting is finally agreed to.  However, when Heidi shows up at Lauren’s apartment bearing grocery store roses, but no admittance of guilt for starting the sex tape rumor (among others that we are too polite to address here), Lauren feeds her a line of fiery inquisitions, then says, “I want to forgive you…and I want to forget you.”  Ouch!  It hurts, but then again, isn’t the truth supposed to?

~ Brook

Photo Credits: www.MTV.com

As Beauty Chat’s resident Crazy Fan of MTV’s The Hills, I was so excited to learn that former cast member Elodie Otto (you may remember this incident), was set to launch her own bath and body line, Jolie en Rose par Elodie.  Since I consider myself an unofficial member of the “Team Elodie” band of followers, I was dying to talk with her about this new venture.�
With the launch her Web site and an OK! Magazine feature both debuting this week, what better time to sit down for a chat with Elodie to talk personal history, fabulously French fragrances, and of course, a little Hills lowdown?  Check out a snippet of my interview with Elodie from The Hills:

Q: What was your inspiration for Jolie en Rose?

A: My family was really the inspiration…we’re from the South of France, where I went to Pre-K and kindergarten; my grandmother actually still lives there. I spent every summer there, and I was just there this past summer.  The name, Jolie en Rose, is French for “pretty in pink.”  Pink is my absolute favorite color!  The fragrances are yummy, yummy, inspired by French foods and other delicious, amazing scents.

Q: Can you describe one or two of the selections?

A: Well, we have Barbe a Papa, a cotton candy scent.  If you literally translate the name, it means “Grandpa’s beard.”  It’s a fluffy, pink cloud of sugar and fun!  We also have Pomme d’amour, a caramel apple fragrance.  Pomme d’ amour means “apple of love.”  Right now, there are six fragrances.  There are so many things in France that I love – pies, fruits, chocolatines – so I definitely want to add more.

Q: Specifically, what types of products make up the line?
�
A: Each scent has its own body lotion, shower gel, and bubble bath.  And they’re all amazing! 

Q: How do we get them?

A: For right now, go to www.jolieenrose.com to place your order. In the future, I’m definitely looking to expand into retail locations. I’ll keep you posted!

Q: To coin a Heidi catchphrase, is this venture “just business, not personal?”

A: Well, business is business – I put my heart and soul into (my job at Bolthouse Productions) and I learned so much there, but now I’m using all my resources and knowledge for my own business, and it’s a new, wonderful thing to have in my life!

~ Brook

Photo Credits: Courtesy of Elodie!