Have you seen Beyonce’s  new cover art for her new single from her album ’4′? Seems she’s getting quite a bit of criticism for the “lightening of her skin”, along with rocking some cool blonde hair. (Uhhh…the late, great, Etta James was blonde way before Bey put on her wigs/weaves. What’s the big deal?)  Mrs. Carter has been questioned before with her Loreal ad for lightening by the company for the advertisements.  MSN.com is quoted as saying “At the time, L’Oreal denied digitally making Beyonce’s skin fairer, and Beyonce herself never addressed the issue.”

This is an extremely touchy subject.  As a photographer, I can also see that very harsh lighting was used for Beyonce’s latest album promotion, which will lighten anyone’s skin.  I’m actually more concerned about the Photoshopping of  Beyonce’s body parts, namely her thighs and bum.  I love that she’s got incredible curves, but she looks, well, itsy bitsy here in the photo.

I don’t have daughters, but I can certainly see where this image may make girls of color feel insecure to a point. Heck, I feel insecure and I’m a “woman of freckles”. I do not Photoshop them out, though. (Thank you, Julianne Moore for being a good example for freckle-faces.)

Beyonce’s Latest Promo for ’4′

Sadly, it’s a never-ending story for women in general.  We are not like the Photoshopped-within-an-inch-of-their-lives models, recording artists or actresses in magazines.  I realize I’m stating the obvious here.  It’s simply the latest in promoting poor self-esteem to the masses of women…and we don’t need more of that Beauty Myth forced down our throats–but I don’t see an end to this practice.

Beyonce  is gorgeous without make-up, and really doesn’t require this kind of “work”…but that’s “entertainment” and the beauty industry for you.

Thoughts?

Disclaimer: This post is a sponsored post for which The Beauty Stop received compensation.

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I’ve discovered L’eggs Profiles.  My favorite for fall and winter are the Waist Smoother Capri.  (Oh, and a heads up, I found these HALF-PRICE at Safeway last week!) These are perfect for skinny jeans, cigarette pants…you get the idea.

L’eggs Waist Smoother Capri  – $8 – Walmart

Now we  also have the original Spanx version of the capri smoother.  Personally, I find them more pinchy and uncomfortable, but for those of you who enjoy that type of  sensation for and extra $20 bucks, be my guest.

Super-High Footless Shaper – Spanx – $28

Both of these tighty-leggy-belly smoothers come in nude and black.  I’m leaving the choice up to you on this one.  However!

Spanx Control-Top Fishnets – $28

Having said all that, the best–repeat–BEST fishnets are by Spanx. They are practically made of iron in terms of being snag-free, run/tear-free, sexy and are completely washable over and over. I use a lingerie bag in the washer (because I’m fancy), but honestly, I’ve had a pair of these fishnets last almost an entire year.  They are available in black and nude and I own both hues.  LOVE THEM.

It’s not that I’m undecided…it’s the fact that I’ve tried both, and have chosen what I love by Spanx and L’eggs separately.

Thoughts?  Have you compared both brands?

Disclaimer: This post is a sponsored post for which The Beauty Stop received compensation.

Bethenny told WWD ” Skin care can be confusing and I want to be straightforward.” All Skinnygirl skin care items will retail for under $15 and will roll out to select Wal-Mart stores in November.  When it comes to overpriced skincare, Bethenny says  “a $150 eye cream is ridiculous and absurd.”

What do you think of Skinnygirl skincare? Will you buy it?  Under $15 seems like a great deal but we will definitely need to test it out to see. Look for Skinnygirl Face & Body Solutions in stores soon!

That’s Andrej in the back seat staring at you.

I’m completely enthralled by these images of Andrej, who is the IT Model on the runway right now…and here’s why:

Legs. For. DAYS. (And cheekbones and lips and hair!)

Photo: Armin Morbach

via NYMag.com:

“When I first met Andrej, I didn’t think, what a beautiful boy or girl,” Storm model agent Sarah Doukas, who discovered Kate Moss, says. “I certainly didn’t want to put him in one particular box.”

Taking a chance, Storm promptly promoted him both on their men’s and women’s books. It was the fifth agency that Pejic, who had moved to London especially to get a break, had visited.

“I remember it was raining and horrible. I was walking in a street without an umbrella – it was a really dramatic, kind of movie moment – and I was just like, ‘Oh my God, I came to London, I spent my mom’s money, I’m not even gonna get an agency. It was like ­ Madonna going to Hollywood.” – Andrej Pejic

Andrej’s father is Croatian, while his mum is Serbian. Pejic and his family fled the war-torn region in the nineties before settling as refugees in Melbourne, Australia, where now he must walk about incognito due to the recognition-factor.

Walking the 2011 Menswear Fashion Week Runway

Remember when Rihanna wore this Jean Paul Gaultier gown to the Grammy Awards back in February of this year? She was sexy in the frock, however when Andrej strolled down the runway as Gaultier’s Muse Bride in the very same gown, he was far more elegant, in my opinion.

Andrej Pejic in Jean Paul Gaultier’s Haute Couture show at Paris 2011 Fashion Week.

Photo: GettyImages

The word “androgynous” almost feels trite when describing the utter exquisiteness of Andrej’s look.  Put away all of your preconceived notions of what true physical beauty is–and can be–then simply open your eyes and mind to the new look and future vision in the world of modeling.

I do love, though, Andrej’s sarcastic take on the whole “androgynous” category, by taking the quote by 90′s Supermodel Linda Evangelista and paraphrasing it from her $10,000 to his $50:

“I don’t get out of bed for less than $50 a day,” he deadpanned. “I want to make that clear to America. This is a new age of androgynous supermodels. We don’t get out of bed for less than $50 a day.”

Bravo.

Christie Brinkley, age 57

Christie Brinkley commented, “Danskin is generously donating to each individual’s charities and I think that is so motivational to show people that you not only have to stay fit, but you also have to give back and all of those things make you feel great.”

Jenny McCarthy, age 38

Jenny McCarthy stated, “I am so excited that Danskin decided to have a charity component to this campaign. Generation Rescue is my autism organization, which helps families who are low-income. It’s a really great way for me to share awareness about autism and how it’s become, unfortunately, so popular in the last decade.”

Hilary Duff, age 23

Hilary Duff stated, “This Danskin campaign is for women of all ages – 20′s, 30s, 40′s and 50′s and what they like to do to stay in shape–physically and mentally in mind, body, and soul.”

Danskin “Move for Change” proudly supports each of the celebrity’s personal charities below:

* Blessings in a Backpack, a non-profit organization that feeds poverty-stricken elementary school children.
* Generation Rescue, a non-profit organization dedicated to the recovery of children with autism.
* The Endometriosis Foundation of America, a non-profit organization helping women suffering from endometriosis.
* The Ellen P. Hermanson Foundation, a non-profit organization helping women and families who suffer from breast cancer.

I am an avid fan of Danskin and have been most of my life.  I wore their leotards and tights when I took ballet lessons and gymnastics when I was younger…and currently love wearing their yoga collection.  Now I need to start MOVING again.

How ’bout you?

Lola Leon, promoting her Material Girl Beauty Collection

via TeenVogue:

“I love everything that has to do with beauty! It’s always fun to get made up for a party, and it makes you feel good,” she says. But developing the extensive collection of body care products in particular came with unexpected challenges. “I had to smell hundreds and hundreds of different scents while smelling coffee beans in between. I had such massive headaches afterwards!” she reveals.

Lola’s favorite nail polish is called Labyrinth

“All that hard work—and sniffing—has paid off in an edited selection of six superyummy scents, like Viva Vanilla and Wicked Watermelon (Lola’s personal faves). An amazing array of lip glosses and nail polishes round out the beauty lineup, which launches next week at Macy’s, and prices range from just $7 to $12!

Little Miss Entrepreneur!

I tell ya what.  If I had a tween-ish daughter, I’d totally be all over this Collection.  It’s sweet, affordable and really cool.  the Material Girl clothing line, also available at Macy’s is super-cute–especially for back-to-school!

I’m really looking forward to seeing what young Miss Leon does throughout the coming years.  Well done!

Jane Fonda, 73, in Stella McCartney

Available at Neiman Marcus – $2155

Ms. Fonda has a new booking coming out called, Prime Time. I’ll say!

via HarpersBazaar.com

In an interview that coincides with the release of her new book, Prime Time: Making the Most of Your Life, Fonda tells Harpers, “I wasn’t very happy from, I would say, puberty to 50? It took me a long time.

Prime Time – Amazon.com – $17.64

“It was in my 40s, and if you suffer from bulimia, the older you get, the worse it gets. It takes longer to recover from a bout. I had a career, I was winning awards, I was supporting nonprofits, I had a family,” she says. “I had to make a choice: I live or I die.”

There is one particular quote that I need to take to heart…we all do, as we age:

What Fonda is giving 100 percent to is her argument that the “third act” of one’s life is not an end but a different sort of beginning.

“Instead of viewing an arch — you rise, you peak, you decline — view it as a staircase,” she explains. “Your body may fall apart, but on every level that really matters, you can ascend toward enlightenment, wisdom, and authenticity. That’s what I’m going for.”

Regardless of your opinion of Jane Fonda’s politics, there’s no denying she’s giving women a better image of what aging truly means now.  Just like her friend, Helen Mirren.

Bravo.

“It’s great to see the public celebrating bodies of all shapes and sizes, and proving that you really can look fabulous over 40 and 50,” said the company’s marketing director Tony Orme.

Dame Helen Mirren at TVLand’s AFI Salute to Morgan Freeman

I’m not sure if I’m really coming in clear to you people. Look at her waist up there!  The Divine Dame Helen beat out the following (much younger!) female celebrities for “Body of the Year“:

via SkyNews:

Top 10 Female Celebrities

1. Helen Mirren – 17.65%
2. Elle MacPherson – 10.6%
3. Kelly Brook – 8.35%
4. Jennifer Lopez – 6.6%
5. Cheryl Cole – 5.35%
6. Myleene Klass – 4.2%
7. Holly Willoughby – 4.1%
8. Pippa Middleton – 4%
9. Kate Winslet – 3.9%
10. Nicole Scherzinger – 3.8%

How could we forget this?

How do you feel about Helen Mirren beating out the likes of Pippa Middleton, JLo, and Cheryl Cole?

Bloody GORGEOUS.

I’ll tell you how I feel:  “Did I ever tell you you’re my hero?” Sorry.  Totally cornball–but 100% FACT.

DivaJulia in her Seattle Fishbelly-White BEFORE look.

I am lucky in that I don’t burn a great deal, but I didn’t look forward to appearing fish-belly white at the pool in Sun Valley.  Enter L’Oreal Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Towelettes.

L’Oreal Sublime Bronze Towelettes – Drugstore.com -$9.99 (6 per box)

There are many different self-tanning towelettes on the market right now–some of which are extremely pricey.   I really love L’Oreal’s products.  Their sprays are great as well, but I don’t care to inhale the fumes, so for me, the towelettes are my choice.  Great price, value and results.

AFTER one use of L’Oreal Self-Tanning Towelettes

Yeah, I missed my feet a bit, but that was my issue.  My husband also used the towelettes and was quite pleased with the ease of use and the non-orange-y appearance.

Disclosure: The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of L’Oreal.  Product was purchased by The Beauty Stop; no compensation was received in exchange for this review.