Clarisonic ($195.00) is one of those products you tend to hear raves about, but you take one look at the price tag and run in the other direction. But you’re always wondering, “Does it actually work? Is it worth it?”

Yes, and yes. Most definitely.

The Clarisonic Skin Care System was developed by the creators of the Sonicare toothbrush. I look at this in a similar way–the Sonicare toothbrush price tag shocked people, but it does give you a great clean. It’s a purchase that saves you money elsewhere in your life. The toothbrush kept you from going to the dentist as often for problems (or minimized problems found during your regular visits), and the Clarisonic does the same. You get a better clean, which lets other skincare products absorb better–you know, that pricey serum you purchased may have better results because of the increased absorption.

Here’s the other big reason why both sonic systems work: the timer. You’re supposed to brush your teeth for two minutes (30 seconds per side), and because the Sonicare lets you know when to switch sides, you actually brush for that length of time. Same idea on the Clarisonic; you can choose between one minute and two minutes cleansing times, and it will beep approximately every thirty seconds. We are all busy, busy people, so we often don’t think about whether we are properly cleansing. A few weeks ago, I read about a study where people who washed their hands properly with regular soap had the same amount of bacteria leftover as those who washed properly with antibacterial soap–because the key was washing your hands properly, getting underneath the nails and giving yourself enough time.

So, let me tell you how my skin has changed as a result of using this product for the past four weeks!

The Clarisonic is a beast when it comes to totally removing my face makeup. In the past, I have found most cleansers still require toner or a makeup wipe afterward to get rid of the last vestiges of foundation. This is not the case with the Clarisonic–I take a makeup wipe and it picks up nothing. It’s not scientific but that’s my little test for how effective a cleanser is.

My skin has also normalized more in the past few weeks–it is more normal, less combo, less dry. It’s just normal. I’ve always had skin that bordered on normal, but it would get a bit oily at the end of the day or I’d have some drier patches. Since I’ve started using Clarisonic, my skin is smoother and softer. I wear less foundation as a result, because I only need a sheer amount for evenness for a polished look.

I use the Clarisonic twice daily on the two minute setting; once in the shower in the AM, and then over the sink in the PM. It’s completely sealed, so it’s safe to use in the shower (it says so in the instructions!), which I think is fantastic! I usually start using the Clarisonic while I wait for the shower water to heat up, and then I finish the job in the shower. It’s easy on the skin, and it’s even easier to use.

We all know tugging, pulling, and rubbing the skin can lead to increased wrinkles. Clarisonic is a gentle cleanser that eliminates the tug and pull of your finger tips and hands. This is a huge thing for me, because I try to be gentle, but I’m never sure if I am, or if I’m still too tough on my skin! Clarisonic doesn’t make me question that; you hardly need any pressure to get the cleanser working. It’s more about connecting it to the skin’s surface than pressing or rubbing.

It has a cradle charger, much like a cordless phone (do people still have those? or are we all on cell phones now?), so you just set it inside to charge up. I find I get at least two weeks worth of twice daily usage before I need to recharge. The brush head should be replaced every three months, and they have three brush heads to choose from Normal, Sensitive, and Delicate. Again, like a toothbrush, the bristles do get worn and used, and then need to be replaced. At the same time, because you can easily replace brush heads (since you need to periodically), you can share this! You just need each person to have their own brush head, and everybody can try it. Take a permanent marker and write your initials on it so you can identify yours from his or hers.

I have always believed good skin comes from good skin care, not necessarily about using preventative creams and serums. This is a product that gets to the heart of a lot of skin care problems–cleansing–and it takes out the guesswork and makes it easy to get clean skin within minutes.

After months of speculation that Madonna and Guy Ritchie are ending their eight year marriage, it seems all is finally coming to an end.

The couple had tried their best to put on happy faces and make public outings to ward off the rumors, but the truth is finally coming out. Not to say that they didn’t give it a shot, because reportedly they did.

Complicating the situation is that Madonna wants to wait until the end of her world tour to make it official.

It’s always business first with her, isn’t it?

Apparently Guy grew tired of it all and decided he wants out - now.

The couple’s fighting has gotten so bad that he can’t live with it any longer. The New York Post is reporting that one of the major problems in their marriage is in how they want to raise their children.

Madonna would like to raise them in the states, which daughter Lourdes is also in favor of since her father lives here. Guy, however, would like to raise the children out of the public eye and in his homeland of England. Another issue leading to the marriage’s demise is that Madge wants to adopt again, and Guy is not ready to do so.

Meanwhile, rumors of Madonna’s alleged relationship with Yankee baseball star Alex Rodriguez continue, with the couple being spotted out to dinner as recently as a couple weeks ago.

Related Smacks

• Celebrity Quote of the Day - Madonna
• Guy Ritchie’s Mom: There is NO Divorce!
• Seven Year Bitch
• Madonna and Guy Ritchie to Divorce?
• Madge’s Brother: “Madonna Loves Madonna”

Beauty Junkie recognizes that this is indeed the time of year when one must ask the question, “How ever do I wash my cashmere?” The dry cleaner is the typical route, bien sûr. But actually, ’tis better to wash those soft treasures–you just have to do it right. Enter The Laundress New York (known for their high-end, eco-friendly clothing care products) and J. Crew who have created the new J. Crew Cashmere Wash to meet your needs. It’s pH balanced with coconut-based surfactants and works for hand-washing and the machine. Plus, it includes lavender extracts which naturally repel moths for those switch-the-closet-over months. Even better? It’s only $18. Get your own at select stores, the J. Crew Collection Store at 347 Madison Avenue and 79th St., or www.jcrew.com.

Images: Daily Mail

DJ AM (Adam Goldstein) was snapped while running errands in Los Angeles recently, and in the photos you can see the extent of his injuries.

AM, who has vowed to never fly again (just like Travis Barker), was spotted with a shaved head and a very burned left arm. He suffered second and third degree burns after last month’s Learjet crash.

Goldstein is excited to return to the stage this week at the Hollywood Palladium - as Jay-Z’s DJ!

AM told People magazine,

“He’s the greatest rapper in the world. This is the biggest thing that’s happened in my career.”

Well, the plane crash didn’t exactly hurt his career. Quite the opposite, I think. I’m sure lots of opportunites and endorsements will follow. And good for him, he deserves it. I always liked AM.

Related Smacks

• Travis Barker Blog About Learjet Crash, Shares Hospital Pics
• DJ AM Attends Memorial Service for Chris Baker
• DJ AM Released from Hospital
• Travis Barker is Happy to be Alive
• Travis Barker Cries for Help After Fiery Plane Crash

After months of rumors that Jordan and Peter Andre’s marriage was in trouble and denials by both, Katie Price looks to have confirmed the news to OK!.  Nothing more is known at this time besides what is on the cover of the mag. It is a sad day, I really thought they were going to last!!!

(((Can someone from The UK scan me the article so I can read the sad news, please.)))

UPDATE:  Daily Mail has more info and the two are still together!!!

‘I did walk out on him and we didn’t see or speak to each other for a couple of days,’ she reveals in a new interview.

She told OK magazine: ‘We’re in love for God’s sake. We are not breaking up.

‘I think people watch our show and think that we row all the time, but you show me a couple who don’t bicker.

‘That’s all it is with us, it’s just bickering. If we didn’t have rows on the show, people would say it was fake.’

Trouble in paradise: Katie has admitted to walking out on Peter during their trip to Australia earlier this year

‘I wouldn’t [leave him]. It would only be if he cheated on me. I think that’s the same for both of us - there’s nothing else that would make us break up - only if one of us was unfaithful.’

Dang OK!

(source)

A pregnant Lisa Bonet and boyfriend Jason Momoa, along with their daughter Lola Iolani Momoa, 14 months, were photographed walking the streets of New York city this week.Jason is an actor who is best known his roles on Baywatch and Stargate Atlantis; and actress Lisa Bonet is best known for her portrayal of Denise Hustable on the Cosby Show.

Celebrity Baby Style:
Baby Lolo Iolani rides in a $529.00 Bugaboo Bee Stroller. Check it out at AMAZON.COM

source

Madonna and Guy Ritchie are finally, officially, pulling the plug on their troubled eight-year marriage, The Post has learned.

The sparring stars are expected to announce they are divorcing today, a source said.

Because the celebrity couple live primarily in London, the divorce is expected to move through courts there - although it’s considered likely the pair will come to a multimillion-dollar settlement, according to the source.

Another source said the impending split comes after a last-ditch attempt by the pair to save their flailing union with an intensive kabbalah course in Manhattan.

British “Snatch” director Ritchie flew into New York a few weeks ago specifically to undergo instruction with his wife to try to patch things up, but to no avail, the source said.

The news also broke in London via The Sun, with a source telling the newspaper that Madonna and Ritchie “can’t bear to live with the pretense any longer.

“It’s very sad. They were a great couple and brilliant parents. They just couldn’t live together.

“Despite huge attempts to patch things up, they both knew deep down that divorce was in the cards. It wasn’t a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when.’ They tried hard over the past few months, but their fighting was getting out of control.

“The final straw came before Madonna started her US tour.”

The British paper said the 50-year-old singer wanted to wait to announce the pair’s split until after her global “Sticky and Sweet” tour.

But their fighting got so bad that Ritchie, 40, just wanted out, and Madonna finally agreed, the tabloid said.

The pair has three children between them: Lourdes, 12, Madonna’s daughter from her relationship with actor and personal trainer Carlos Leon; and Ritchie and Madonna’s sons, Rocco, 8, and David, 2.

The pair has bitterly fought over everything from their kids to where they should live: the United States or England, sources said.

Madonna wanted to be back in the States more, as did Lourdes so she could see her father, The Post’s sources said. Madonna also reportedly wants to adopt another child, which Ritchie is against.

A representative for the pair did not return a phone call or e-mail from The Post last night.

When reached by The Sun, a spokeswoman for Madonna declined comment.

The reported split comes after months of speculation over Madonna’s cozy relationship with Yankee slugger Alex Rodriguez, whose estranged wife, Cynthia, said the singer had “brainwashed” her hubby.

C-Rod told a pal she believes that her kabbalah-loving husband and Madonna had an “affair of the heart.”

Meanwhile, Madonna and Ritchie raised eyebrows just two days ago when Ritchie failed to appear at the New York premiere of a comedy Madonna directed, “Filth and Wisdom.”

(source)

Looks like Jennifer Aniston and John Mayer are giving their relationship another chance.

The pair met up Friday in Boston to attend a Ray LaMontagne concert.

“It was a very public date,” a source says in the newest issue of Us Weekly.

Mayer was in town teaching a week-long music class at his alma mater, the Berklee College of Music.

The couple then jetted together to New York City for the remainder of the weekend.

Mayer, 31, and Aniston, 39, split in August after dating for four months.

A source confirmed to Us after their break up that she wanted a bigger commitment from Mayer - and a baby.

“These are mature people who talk about things maturely,” the pal said. “It’s just slowed down.”

Another source countered: “If she said she wants kids and he’s not ready, that’s not being needy. It’s being honest.”

(source)