Beauty from Bollywood - Rimii Sen

Name : Rimii Sen
Actress
Born : 21st September, 1981

The Kolkata babe, Rimii Sen or Rimi Sen shifted to Mumbai to achieve her dream of becoming an actress. She plunged into showbiz with her Coke commercial with Aamir Khan. She became one of the most popular face in the small screen featuring in ads like Taj Mahal Tea, Parachute Enrich, Ariel, Videocon AC, Dettol etc. The gorgeous Bengali beauty got a break in Bollywood with her debut film 'Hungama' (2003). The success of 'Dhoom' (2004) paved a new path for this dusky girl and made her popular. Rimii is a brilliant Odissi dancer who has won a national scholarship for it. She dropped her last name 'Sen' as there was too many Sen's in the industry.

Erica Durance

A fixture on TV sets across the country, Erica Durance is the Canadian-born actress who molded the character of Lois Lane into her most alluring form ever on the WB’s hit series Smallville. Off camera, Durance has had some shaky starts -- marrying in 1996 only to file for divorce in 1999, for example -- but she seems to be on firmer ground since her she married Canadian actor David Palffy in 2005.

After years of hard work and endless guest appearances on TV series such as The Chris Isaak Show, Tru Calling, Andromeda, Stargate SG-1, and The Collector, Durance completed her first full season as Lois Lane on Smallville in 2006. Voted the sexiest Lane of all time by AskMen.com readers and making her debut on the Top 99 this year, Durance parlayed her small-screen success into some motion-picture work this past year, playing the female lead in the sequel to The Butterfly Effect and starring in the thriller Stranded.

Currently stationed in Vancouver, close to the filming locations for Smallville, Durance will test out her serious acting chops in 2007 by appearing in Ecstasy alongside renowned British thespians Richard E. Grant and Billy Boyd. Adapted from the hit novella The Undefeated by Irvin Welsh, Ecstasy will feature Durance in the middle of a world full of drugs and sex.

Diane Lane

With more than 50 acting credits to her name and a career that has spanned over two decades, Diane Lane has always managed to remain relevant, deftly progressing from precocious child star to sultry siren to bona fide movie star. She’s worked opposite some of Hollywood’s best and brightest -- including Nicolas Cage, Richard Gere and Keanu Reeves -- and has appeared in box-office hits like 2002’s Unfaithful and 2003’s Under the Tuscan Sun. And though she’s been linked with familiar faces like Christopher Lambert and Jon Bon Jovi, Diane is currently enjoying marital bliss with actor Josh Brolin.

2006 was a fairly uneventful year for Diane as she appeared in only one film, the Ben Affleck drama Hollywoodland. The movie, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival to rave reviews, offered Diane the opportunity to step into the shoes of a glamorous 1950s sexpot alongside such distinguished performers as Bob Hoskins, Adrien Brody and Robin Tunney. Diane’s inclusion on this year’s Top 99 and on lists in the past -- she ranked No. 85 last year and No. 45 the year before -- are testaments to her enduring popularity, and there’s little doubt that she’ll continue to be a fixture on similar lists in years to come.

With three films scheduled for release, Diane will be busy in 2007. Killshot, based on a novel by Elmore Leonard, pits Diane opposite such heavy hitters as Thomas Jane, Mickey Rourke and Rosario Dawson, while Fierce People, in which Diane stars as a drug-addicted masseuse, has already started to garner Oscar buzz for the actress. Lastly, Diane will be seen in Appaloosa, a Western starring, cowritten and directed by Ed Harris.

Ivanka Trump

Don’t write off Ivanka Trump as just 'The Donald’s daughter. Born in New York City in 1981 to Donald and Ivana, Ivanka didn’t pass the time spending Daddy’s money like so many other trust funders. She studied first at Georgetown, then at the University of Pennsylvania, from which she graduated summa cum laude in 2004 with a degree in economics. Her name helped open doors, to be sure, but they weren’t necessarily held open for her. For example, the family covered her school tuition, but that was all. In fact, she began modeling at age 16 to cover her expenses. Today, she appears on NBC’s The Apprentice and is vice president of real estate development with the Trump Organization.

Trump’s debut appearance on our Top 99 list is no accident. Voters clearly recognized that she possesses ample beauty and intelligence. After filling in for Carolyn Kepcher on The Apprentice, Trump soon won Kepcher’s judging role. Making desperate corporate wannabes dance still allowed Trump enough time to continue modeling -- she retains representation through Elite Model Management -- and to lead an active dating life. She announced her breakup from Bingo Gubelmann early in the year, took a brief ride with Lance Armstrong and ultimately wound up with Topher Grace. As if she needed the endorsement, her father commented that he’d date her if she wasn’t his daughter. We’ll assume the best and take that as a well-intended compliment.

So far, 2007 has begun with Ivanka defending her father in his volley of jabs with Rosie O'Donnell, though the fairer Trump is taking the high road with her comments. Indeed, Ivanka has an air of class all her own; we look forward to seeing her in the boardroom and anywhere else she favors us with her presence. There’s not much word about her planned 2007 projects and appearances, so we’ll patiently wait to see what’s next.

Bake Sale

Mmmm. Baked goooooods. I can't help it--Real Girl loves, loves, loves beauty products that smell and taste like sugary treats. And I've found a line of treaty goodness that I just adore! You know I had to share.

Welcome to Temptations. It sounds like a soap opera name, and to that I say: Yes, Fernando, I slept with your brother before I knew he was your father while I still thought--hey, maybe he's just a cousin--and the baby is his!

Bath & Body Works continues to get the Real Girl Beauty stamp of approval, and this line is scrumptious enough to keep me testing there for hours. My current favorite scent--Crazy Caramel Corn--is no longer on the website, which is sad, but there are so many others I want to try! Can you say Frosting Forever?

For years, the paradigm of scented three-in-one shower gel/bubble bath/shampoo has been the Philosophy line. But I confess it's not my very favorite. Certain of the scents have a chemically end note, and in my experience, they don't linger on the skin after you shower. The Temptations line? Lingers. Rich. Smooth. Velvety. And non-drying! The detergent is completely gentle, and works better than the Philosophy to keep your hair from drying out. Although I personally prefer it as body wash than as shampoo.

I also adore my Temptations Spicy Gingerbread lip gloss, a caramel-bronze that I shoved under Beauty Chick's nose--madly ordering her to "smell!!!"--the last time we had girlie drinks together. To my dismay, Bath & Body Works no longer features any Temptations lip glosses on its website, and so I don't know if the product has been...gasp...oh, I don't want to say it. You know the word. Starts with a "D" and ends with an "iscontinued."

The Liplicious line, however, does have some gorgeous sounding glosses as an alternative. Caramel Latte. Hot Cakes. Maple Syrup. Cotton Candy.

Oh for beauty's sake. You know I'm making a trip to Bath & Body Works tomorrow to try this new Liplicious line.

What about you guys? What are your favorite scented treats? Favorite foody scents? Favorite Bath & Body Works products? Sharey share share!

And I remain your,
Real Girl
xx

We're Your Dream Curls

Yay, Real Girl loves a good drugstore find! Especially if it makes my hair look all scrumptious-like. I can't tell you how many times people ask if my curly hair is natural. I always answer the same way: Yes it is. But it gets some help.

By which I mean, I scrunch. Boy, do I scrunch. But the whole process is so much easier now--and the result so much bouncier--with Frizz Ease Dream Curls.

If you are like me, with fine wavy hair, then Dream Curls will certainly help you scrunch your way to spiral curls. I wish I knew how it works. The ingredient list contains no alcohol, which is crucial for any hair product. And, indeed, there's no sticky, stiff after-feel at all. Your hair's texture will seem productless! And yet...it will somehow do more of what you want it to do.

Will this product work on straight hair? I don't know, but I suspect maybe. For years, the beloved scrunch-product of the straight-haired has been Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray, which I confess never worked all that great for me. But I suspect, if you use the Dream Curls as I do, you might get some tousling action going on. Here's what I do:

1. Spray hair when damp, then scrunch.

2. Scrunch with one hand while using hair dryer with the other for about 5 minutes.

3. Let dry fully on its own.

4. Spray once more when dry.

5. Repeat steps 1 and 2.

See? The curly hair is natural. But it gets some help indeed.

I'll be really interested to hear your results!

But what about you gals? Any great drugstore hair finds we need to know about? Have you loved the Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray? Or any other Frizz Ease products? Anything to dish at all?

Of course I'd love to hear it!

Real Girl

xx

Wowder!

Oh, ladies, the search lasted long time. La Real Girl? She is shiny. But I don't trust most powders--or at least, I hadn't found the right one. Wrong color! Too cakey! Makes me break out!

My perfect powder would have to be loose, for sure, not of the compact variety. Because the ingredients that gel the powder into the compact can make you break out (yuck!). And that sponge you use to apply is just a trip to Bacterialand. So beautiful, loose, translucent powder. To be applied lovingly with a fluffy brush. (I have my favorite powder brush, but feel free to share yours in the comments!) This powder would have to become invisible once applied. It would be light. Airy. And, lo and behold, it would manage my shine.

I introduce to you Lorac Face Powder. I love it so much I want to marry it.

Will this eliminate shinies all day? No, not without reapplication. But boy does it make my skin look nice in the morning. A light dusting of translucent powder sets your makeup beautifully. So, for instance, feel free to dust your eyelids after eyeshadow but before mascara to help that shadow last longer. Set your blush, bronzer, foundation, concealer, whatever you may use. If you're not a fan of foundation, this powder acts as a nice substitute. It balances skin tone without looking makeupy. How did I live without it!?

My perfect color is P2, the second lightest. It's best for fair skin with yellow undertones. For truly fair skin, with blue undertones, you'll want to try P1. As for darker skin? Experiment in a department store or Sephora to see if there's a tone for you.

We've never chatted about powder before! Wow me ladies! Can't wait to hear about yours.

With love from,
xx,
Real Girl

Now You C It!

Wow, February sure went by fast. You'd think it was a shorter month or something.

Real Girl's back! And lovelies, I've got some great products to bring you in the coming weeks! But right now? We're going to revisit an old ingredient favorite. Cosmetics marketing is such that the hot new thing, the latest technology, whatever's never been seen before gets most of the attention. But one of the first beloved antioxidants should not be overlooked.

I'm talking Vitamin C here, and not in tiny concentrations.

Why C? Primarily for two reasons. 1) It helps fight UV damage, one of the prime causes of skin aging. Vitamin C won't replace sunscreen, but it will sure help it work. 2) It promotes collagen production. Collagen is the fountain of youth for skin, keeping it smooth and lifted. When the gorgeous structure of collagen begins to break down, there starts the sagging, and here come the wrinkles. So if Vitamin C's gonna help boost that collagen production? I'm all for it.

Studies show that up to a 10% concentration of Vitamin C is safe for all skin, but keep in mind that it is an acid, so you might want to go lower if you're particularly sensitive. My recommended form is a serum--to be worn close to the skin, under moisturizer/sunscreen. I've been using Obagi Professional-C Serum, 10%, which I enjoy for its easily spreadable liquid texture. I've gotten no breakouts to report, but I would recommend avoiding the lips--the serum tastes rather bitter (to you or whomever might be smoochin' you!). I would certainly, as well, consider upping my concentration to the 15%. But perhaps the 20% is just too costly.

Or if you'd like something less costly than the Obagi? All you really need is a proper concentration. My recommendation (unless you cope with sensitive skin) would be 10-15%. If you've got oily/breakout-prone skin, avoid serums with oils. Anthony Logistics has a nice 10% alternative--it may be marketed towards men, but it's still got lovely ingredients. And using my account with amazon.com, I've set up this nice SEARCH for you so you can explore other options! Feel free to ask my advice on any particular Vitamin C product in the comments section.

But what vitamin serums might you use? Or have you tried Vitamin-C creams? Feel like shouting out whatever you've been holding in while I've been gone? It's nice to be back!!!

With lots of stored up love from your,
Real Girl
xx

Hiatus

My lovelies, I've become scared of my own blog. Scared to check comments, lest all the nice people are expressing their disappointment over no new posts. Scared to check blog emails lest there be events and products I just don't have time for right now, even though I so wish I did.

I'm disappointed that my schedule has changed enough to keep me away from these pretty pink pages. BUT I have a plan.

I'm going to take a month to store up some product review entries, so that I can get back on my once-a-week schedule. If I write and save a few posts during that month, then I'll have some emergency reviews to fall back on in case I can't post during any given week.

So check back at the end of February, folks. By then, I'll have a safety net.
AND you'll find out then, too, about the superb beauty ingredient that's an oldie but goodie you should definitely pay attention to!

xx
Real Girl