While flipping through a fashion mag today, I came across no fewer than four advertisements for and/or mentions of celebrity fragrances - and that's only counting those scents that celebs had a direct hand in the creation of, not celeb-based ad campaigns (i.e, Eva Mendes for Calvin Klein's Secret Obsession, or Naomi Watts for Thierry Mugler's Angel). I noticed ads for Believe by Britney Spears, Fairy Dust by Paris Hilton, and Harajuku Lovers by Gwen Stefani, a collection of 5 girly fragrances modeled after Gwen herself ("G") and the 4 members of her on-stage "posse" (Love, Lil' Angel, Music and Baby). There was also a positive mention in the magazine of Fancy, Jessica Simpson's latest perfume. For all of these women, these scents are not even their first foray into the fragrance world - all have other fragrances as well - and these four are really just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to celebrity perfumes. Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera, Sarah Jessica Parker...even male celebrities like Usher, David Beckham, Antonio Banderas and P. Diddy have had a hand in creating a "signature scent" of their very own. What I'm wondering is this: Do you wear celebrity fragrances? If so, is it because you like the scent or the celebrity who created it? And if not, is it strictly because you don't like the perfume itself, or because you would feel a bit silly buying it?

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I've been sooo sleepy lately. I don't know whether it's the fact that I've decided to start cutting back on the coffee or what, but I've been feeling incredibly lethargic. Thus, it seemed like utter kismet that I found this Redbook article, which offers "22 ways to tackle life's biggest energy zappers." Now, some of them may seem obvious, but if you've been suffering from lack of energy like I have lately, it's probably a good idea to brush up on the basics, plus learn a thing or two. Couldn't hurt, right? Here are a few highlights from the list:

• Have breakfast, no matter what - even if you're not hungry. I'm pretty good about eating breakfast, but I know a lot of people skip it because they're just not hungry in the morning. Just eat something small! Cereal, a banana with peanut butter...anything is better than nothing.
• Eat smaller meals more frequently. Big meals make you sluggish, and going for long periods between meals can mess with your blood sugar. I'm definitely guilty of going too long without eating during the day. I said I was good about breakfast, right? Well, not so much with lunch. Or midday snacks.
• Eat more fiber! I always thought fiber was mainly for digestive issues, but I was wrong. It really helps sustain your energy levels too.
• Drink lots of water. Again, something that I definitely skimp on during the day, and something that I don't really associate with feeling fatigued (even though the two are closely intertwined).
• Don't dress like a slob just because you feel like one. Okay, I'm paraphrasing a little here, but that's the essence of this tip. And it's so true! As the article says, "...it helps to look in the mirror and see an energizing image -- not a deflating one that confirms and reinforces your internal state." How often do you throw on jeans a boring t-shirt and then run out the door with no makeup and wet hair when you're feeling tired and rundown? Me too! Looking nice will elevate your mood, though, so hop to it.
• Breathe from your belly, not your chest. This is something I've been trying to master for a while, actually, because it helps when you're trying to sing, as it engages your diaphragm. Make sure your belly inflates when you inhale and deflates as you exhale. It gets more oxygen into your lungs, which wakes you up and calms you down.
• Do a little de-cluttering. Again, such a great tip! I know that when my surroundings are messy, I feel totally out of control and I have trouble falling asleep. But instead of trying to do it all at once, which can feel insurmountable, just tidy up a small corner or throw out a pile of papers. Accomplishing something worthwhile will make you feel better about yourself!
• Turn off the TV and the computer after 8 PM. This one is especially hard for me, but I think it's one of my biggest late-night problems. Staring at a bright screen suppresses your melatonin production, which basically makes it impossible to fall asleep. Switch it off and open a book before bed instead.
• Don't obsess about the clock. Redbook recommends turning your alarm clock away from you or covering it up. Not only will you not be able to obsess about how late it's getting, but you'll also be shielded from the intrusive light of a bright digital display.
• Make sure your sleeping quarters are on the cool side. Ideally, your bedroom should be between 54 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Like I said, it's August. It's been hot. Stuffy rooms lead to poor sleep! Boo.
• Exercise. Duh. It energizes you immediately and then tuckers you out by the time you're ready to go to bed. Perfect! (Just don't exercise too late in the evening, or you'll be too hopped up on endorphins to fall asleep.)

If you read all 22 tips, it'll probably become pretty apparent which of these culprits are your personal energy zappers. I have my work cut out for me! And remember, nothing boosts your energy quite like a good night's sleep.

Ah, my neverending quest for clear skin...like I've said before, I will try anything once. And while browsing through the Sephora blog, I noticed a list of "Blemish Banishers," straight from the brand marketing manager for Sephora's skincare department. Right at the top of the list of recommended products is the ThermaClear, a heat-based acne treatment gadget not unlike the Zeno that I've been seeing all over the place (magazines, blogs, etc.) So what's the story with these things?

Here's the gist: You turn them on. They heat up. You apply the hot surface to a pimple that is getting ready to sprout but is still under the surface (these heat treatments aren't recommended for blackheads, whiteheads or zits that have already come to unfortunate fruition) and, at least in theory, the heat kills the bacteria and the pimple self-destructs. Sounds good, right? But do they actually work?

There are definitely some drawbacks to heat therapy for acne. First of all, these devices don't come cheap - both cost the better part of $200. Also, make sure that you've correctly assessed the severity of your acne before you take the plunge; since you can only use it on a few pimples at a time in order to avoid damaging your skin (the magic number seems to be three blemishes at once), it's not worth the money if you tend to break out more than that, or if your acne manifests itself as anything other than relatively small, red bumps. If they do work, however, they sound like they could be a godsend for people with occasional breakouts. I'm not sure which device is better, but it's worth noting that the ThermaClear only requires 2 seconds of treatment per pimple, while the Zeno calls for two and a half minutes, plus a couple of follow-ups throughout the day.

Yet I was still left with one more question about these heat therapy gadgets: Are they more effective than, say, soaking a washcloth in hot water and applying that to a zit? (Does anyone else do this?!) I've been in the habit of doing this for years and it always seems to help, at least somewhat. You would think that having such a concentrated blast of heat might make these more effective, but after reading this post, I'm not so sure:

"...when you take away all the flashing lights and the chrome casing, what you are left with is nothing more than your standard heat treatment method of fighting acne, which can be done with a simple rag and hot water. ...the Zeno zit zapper is nothing more than an age-old treatment method modernized for today's youth."

Well, okay then. (However, they also mention that the device has been proven to be effective in preventing 90% of all blemishes that it treats - but that you will be using it "a lot," since it may destroy most pimples on contact, but it does nothing to treat the underlying causes of acne and prevent future breakouts.) Unfortunately, I think my skin problems are a little more severe and a little too chronic to make either one of these worth my $150+. But I'm curious to know what you think: Have you ever tried heat therapy for your blemishes? And if so, was it effective?

Just found a great tip for softening denim from designer Ya-el Torbati in Lucky magazine...and it doesn't even involve a washing machine. Simply take a standard fabric-softening dryer sheet and "briskly rub [it] all over the surface of the jeans. For darker washes or black denim, turn them inside out to keep them from getting worn-in-looking. You'll feel a difference pretty quickly, but keep going till they're as soft as you like." (Lucky, October 2008, p.108) This sounds amazing - it literally could not be easier, and who doesn't love a nice, soft pair of jeans? I'll have to try it out this weekend!

Mod Cloth, the awesome vintage (and vintage-inspired) website full of unique clothes, accessories and goodies for the home, has already been mentioned on LatestBeauty a couple of times. I love browsing through their amazing selection of feminine dresses and well-cut coats. But this holiday season, Mod Cloth wants you to know that they have something for everyone: If you're in need of gift ideas for the coming month, look no further than the "Shop by Person" option on their Holiday 08 Gift Guide. They offers tons of great ideas for everyone from "the Nerd" and "the Student" to "the Person Who Has Everything" and, yes, even "the Boyfriend."

I don't know about you, but my favorite beauty tips are the ones that incorporate everyday products in unusual ways. It makes me feel very MacGyver to use something standard yet unexpected in my beauty routine. To that end, here are a few recent tips I've run across that use normal household items in slightly different ways...

1) VISINE FOR DRY LIPS: If your lips are chapped and flaky, try putting a little Visine on a Q-tip, rubbing it vigorously over your lips and then following with a generous application of Chapstick. (Source: Lucky's Beauty Blog)

2) BABY LOTION FOR SEXY LEGS: According to Amy Tagliamonti, the head makeup artist for Gossip Girl, the secret to Leighton Meester's glowy skin is a slathering of Mustela Hydra Bebe Body Lotion - a lotion made for babies! Pick up a bottle next time you're in the baby shampoo aisle. (Source: Allure, Dec. '08, p.186)

3) A SPRITZ OF WATER FOR PRETTIER EYESHADOW: Sarah Lucero from Stila recommends spritzing your brush with a bit of water before applying powder eyeshadow. The added moisture will make the shadow creamier and longer-lasting, and the color will look more intense. (Source: Sephora's Beauty and the Blog)

Great news on the girly front today: This Feburary, MAC will be collaborating with Sanrio to launch two huge, limited edition Hello Kitty cosmetics collections. Not surprisingly, both the Hello Kitty Colour and the higher-end Hello Kitty Kouture collections will feature lots of pretty colors ("from pinks and turquoises to lavenders and greens") and cute packaging; check out the picture, above, for a sneak preview, and peruse the complete list of products over at Product Girl. I'm excited to see the exact colors of the lipsticks and nailpolishes, and the glitter eyeliners sound like fun. On the more expensive end of the spectrum, I'm intrigued by the Kitty Kouture Sheer Mystery Powder, which comes "in a silver powder compact with Hello Kitty outlined in white Swarovski crystals with a pink crystal bow on a black background," and retails for a whopping $90. The line will be available online on February 10, in North American MAC stores on February 12 and overseas in March. Are you excited about this cutesy collaboration or have you outgrown Hello Kitty?