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?

For the less formal New Year’s Eve party, I would have chosen this blood-red Marchesa cocktail dress:

Marchesa – RTW -2011

However, if there were an ultra-formal party in the city, THIS is the gown I’d choose — in my own special DreamWorld!

Marchesa Black Strapless Gown

Quick side-bar.  My husband and I will be renewing our wedding vows in 1.5 years.  I wore a red slinky gown for  our wedding.  I think I want a black poufy gown. I highly doubt it will be a Marchesa, but I can dream.  Don’t judge me–I’m not being the Hot Topic goth-girl old biddy I used to be.  I happen to think it’s unusual and so very chic to wear a black fluffy wedding gown.  Anyway…

We here at The Beauty Stop love you and wish you all the best in the coming year!

Dr. Perricone MD

At one time or another I’ve purchased Dr. Perricone’s acne products for my sons when they were teenagers — and it’s still a viable product at any age. (That’s my own experience talking!)

Intensive Pore Minimizer – $50 – Dr. Perricone MD

Intensive Pore Minimizer

Tightens enlarged pores instantly

With Alpha Lipoic Acid and Salicylic Acid

118mL / 4 fl oz

This treatment is designed to effectively reduce the appearance of enlarged pores. It helps control and absorb excess oil, maintains skin elasticity and resilience and gently exfoliates to remove wax or dirt build-up that can clog and further stretch pores. An advanced formula with universal appeal, it’s appropriate for most skin types: oily, extremely dry, or showing visible signs of aging. The result is skin that appears firmer, less oily, less shiny and remains fresh and smooth throughout the day.

I really can’t say enough when dealing with acne becomes a self-esteem issue.  Dr. Perricone MD is much safer than inflicting your teenager to harsh (and quite possibly dangerous) antibiotics for acne.  I don’t know about you, but I’d rather spend the extra money to clear up my teens’ skin in a natural and healthy manner–as well as my own–instead of  ingesting prescription medications with scary side-effects.

I really suggest taking advantage of this rare online coupon!

Hunter Original Wellies -  Tall Rainboots – Nordstrom – $125

As I was looking at these pricey rubber boots, I had a thought.  Look at the similarities of these boots and the Target boots…except for the price, of course.

Womens Zetta Tall Rain Boots – Target – $29.99

Now, what IF….just what if we bought the liners made by Hunter for $30 — but bought the Target rainboots instead?  GASP!  Do we really care that much about brand names?  Sometimes we do, and you can’t deny the fact.  All we have to do is roll the cuff down, which then reveals the Hunter brand.  Sneaky!!

Hunter ‘Fleece Welly’ Socks – Nordstrom – $30

Supersoft fleece is fashioned into a cozy boot sock designed to add warmth and comfort to your favorite footwear.

• Designed for Hunter ‘Original Tall’ rain boots.
• Polyester; machine wash.
• By Hunter; imported.
• Salon Shoes.

I’ll give you my honest opinion.  I think the Welly Socks are great, mainly because of the wide array of colors available.  The Target boots have a large selection of colors and patterns, just like the Hunter Wellies.

I think you hear me loud and clear.  Nothing wrong with faking it a little bit, right?

Lady Gaga and Rick Genest (aka “Zombie Boy”)

Dermablend debuted their new ad campaign, and it’s visually amazing.  (I watched the video three times!) Take a minute to watch the fascinating advertisement…

Dermablend has broken out with a positive and socially effective message with their “How Do You Judge a Book?” .

Dermablend Leg and Body Cover – 3.4 oz. – $27

High performance technology, full coverage body foundation

High performance technology, full coverage body foundation. An improved lightweight formula with SPF 15 and high purity pigments. Leg & Body Cover offers improved skin tone shades and texture to deliver a flawless look and 16 hours of consistent color wear.

• Tattoos
• Stretch marks
• Varicose veins
• Spider veins
• Bruises
• Scars
• Burns

Those of us with tattoos that are visible to the public have always had someone say, “What if you want to wear an evening gown and you have THAT THING showing?” at one time or another.  Usually, we’d just tell them where to go, but the fact remains, maybe…just maybe we don’t want to show off our true selves at the fancy holiday office party at The Four Seasons Hotel.

What’s great about this product is along with it’s core-customer who may be struggling with skin ailments, scars and the like, now the zillions of men and women (just here in Seattle!) have an alternative (ha, get it?) to showing off our inked selves.

Obviously, the folks at Dermablend have found another niche: The Aging Hipster. Soon enough, we’re all going to be at the local Community Center, rambling and arguing over who was better: Alice in Chains or Soundgarden.

Zombie Boy – BEFORE

Rick Genest – AFTER

Nevertheless, I think Rick Genest “Zombie Boy”,  may have found the Best. Halloween. Costume. EVER.

Tokodoki Barbie – $50

via Salon.com

“In a partnership that could only evolve from teaming up with an Italian-created, Japanese-inspired and Los Angeles-based company, Mattel has partnered with the cult brand Tokidoki to create a limited-edition Barbie with a Harajuku twist. This “cutting edge” Barbie rocks a pink bob, a slouchy crossbones top — and a swath of retro-themed ink that climbs across her shoulders and up her neck. She’s so popular that she’s on back order till the end of the month.

In a statement, Mattel acknowledged that the $50 tootsie “is a perfect example of a limited-edition doll sold through select retail locations” for “the adult doll collector.”

And as a parent on Babble noted, “I think the pink hair and tattoos are fine.The objectionable things about Barbie are the tiny feet and gigantic fake boobs.”

That last comment is so spot ON.  Also, take a good look at Tokidoki Barbie‘s cute little face.  That is probably the sweetest little Barbie face I’ve ever seen.  Are we going to judge this girl doll simply because she has tattoos and pink hair?  I think THIS Barbie (who probably goes by the name “Bar“, if you ask me) is a lesson in how we–and our children– should not judge a book by its cover.  Let Barbie express herself.

Oh, and quit looking at my sacred heart tramp stamp–it wasn’t called that back in 1996 when I got my sexy lower back tattoo, okay?

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.

Let’s use Lady Gaga’s song Hair, from her new cd,  Born This Way as our soundtrack while we take a good hard look at these “mature” women with phenomenal hair…

Julianne Moore, 50

Christie Brinkley, 58

Andie MacDowell, 53

Michelle Pfeiffer, 53

Who’s with me on this?

Okay.  Everyone’s favorite Oprah guests are appearing together in yet another film, this time with Tom Hanks directing as well as starring with  Julia Roberts.   I’m pretty stunned by this cover, actually.  Take a moment to really look at it closely.  I’ll wait.  Go ahead.

Anything look odd to you?  Is there any reason Tom Hanks wasn’t given the courtesy of a little bit of Photoshop?  Good LAWD.  The bags under his eyes?  The prominent nasolabial fold?  Do only women need to be Photoshopped because we won’t be accepted otherwise?  Forty-three year old Julia seems to be as wrinkle and pore-free as a toddler in this photo, while Tom looks his age.  Not that there’s anything wrong with that, right?

What gives?  (Like we don’t all know the answer to this “age-old” question…)

Read the full interview with Julia Roberts and Tom Hanks | Pics of the Pair in W

Photos: Mario Sorrenti

Dame Helen Mirren in Marchesa

For goodness sake.  Look at this magnificent woman.  Dame Helen Mirren’s sharp wit and equally sharp tongue, along with her combination of bawdiness and elegance has truly made her a role model for women over 50 (and perhaps even younger!).

via The Hollywood Reporter:

“Dame Helen, 65, said she resented “the survival of some very mediocre male actors and the professional demise of some very brilliant female ones”.

She continued that “not too much has changed in Hollywood film-making…I’ve seen too many of my brilliant colleagues who worked non-stop through their 20s, their 30s and their 40s, only to find a complete desert in their 50s.”

While [Dame Helen] said in an interview before the award ceremony that she sensed changes in the industry, she stated that Hollywood “continues to worship at the altar of the 18- to 25-year-old male and his penis”.

Dame Helen is clearly living with a state of mind that I hope is an attitude I eventually fully embrace.  It seems to be doing Ms. Mirren wonders.  Bloody gorgeous.

Alessandra Ambrosio, Candice Swanepoel and Adriana Lima (Credit: Getty)

I will say that I’m glad I don’t have daughters.  It’s brutal out here, isn’t it?  Having said that, how are we feeling about the latest weight controversy regarding Victoria’s Secret model, Candice Swanepoel?  As I recall, the folks at VS used to pride themselves on having a bit more curves, than say, what we see on the girls on any given Fashion Week runway.  Enter, Candice, who seems a bit less healthy than we’ve seen in the past.

Tyra Banks, for Victoria’s Secret Swimwear, circa 1990-ish

Ah, yes.  The Super Model Years…Tyra, Cindy, Helena, Christie, Heidi, Naomi, and Stephanie.  I miss the lush curves those girls brought to the table.

Stephanie Seymour, for Victoria’s Secret, circa mid-1980′s

There is no way Candice Swanepoel is a size 8, like her modeling comp card indicates. No. Way.  I am a size 8; and I highly doubt I could shoehorn my way into Candice’s swimsuit.  Nice try, though.

Thoughts?

Monica Bellucci is breathtakingly lush in a way only European women are.  Oh, how I long for the days of yore (old biddy-talk) when women like Monica were revered, exalted and truly treasured in America.  Naturally, that is why she luminously glows on the cover of GQ Magazine’s Italia March issue.

Viva Italia, INDEED, Monica.

To mark the 150th anniversary of the Italian unification, GQ Italia has dedicated its cover to Monica Bellucci, one of Italy’s best loved actresses.  In the inside interview, the actress talks about what it means to be Italian.  I need to find this issue and look at it everyday.  I’m about to celebrate a big birthday; Monica is almost 47 years old.  I think this woman should be our example of what is luscious and beautiful for Women of a Certain Age…not Emma Watson, who’s 20 and the new face for Lancôme.

Emma Watson for Lancôme

Don’t get me wrong.  Emma is darling…I’m just not sure she’s the image I want to compare myself to when spending hundreds of dollars on skincare and cosmetics.  I won’t look like a 20 year old GIRL.

But I will strive to be more like Monica.  Viva Italia.