Avon Launches Women's Empowerment Campaign

This picture is of Reese Witherspoon and Avon's new Empowerment Bracelet. Reese is Avon's newest face and heading up Avon's global charity campaign to benefit women everywhere.

Avon will match the first $500,000 in bracelet sales to make up a total donation of $1 million to UNIFEM, the United Nations Development fund for Women. The donations will fund projects that empower women all around the globe.

So, do something fashionable for yourself and something empowering for you and women all over the world. The bracelet is only $3 from Avon, but it's $3 that could change the world.

Diana's Wedding Dress Designer Makes Gowns for Department Store

Every woman dreams of looking like a princess on her wedding day and now every woman can, with a dress by Elizabeth Emanuel, the designer who created the stunning gown Princess Diana wore at her wedding to Prince Charles.

Although she designed one of the most famous dresses in history, seen and admired by millions all over the world, Emanuel is turning her talents towards creating wedding dresses for Bhs, a department store chain in the UK. The dresses will sell for £495 or about $988 USD.

Although it is unlikely that anyone can top the splendor and glamor of Diana's wedding, if you ask me, this dress by Emanuel and available at Bhs is far more elegant and sophisticated than the one Diana wore.



Ms. Emanuel insists her dresses will be affordable but not "cheap and nasty".

Getting More Coverage from Mineral Foundation

If you've tried mineral makeup and found that the coverage was just a little too light for you, or if you haven't tried it but are unsure if the coverage will be sufficient, here are a few ideas to help you get slightly better coverage and evening of skin tones. I say slightly, because mineral makeup will never give you the coverage of a liquid foundation.

To enhance the coverage from a mineral foundation powder, try applying it with a makeup sponge or cloth. You won't get a cakey look, but it will give your more coverage than will the brush. Plus, using the sponge will allow you to evenly blend the powder.

You won't have much success covering blemishes or red spots that are very noticeable with something as sheer as a mineral foundation. However, if you apply a green-based coverup to the blemishes before applying the mineral foundation you should eliminate the red spots that normally would show through.

I have seen suggestions that you use a moisturizer first to make the foundation darker, and that is always something that works well to help naturally blend liquid or creme foundation, but it's more likely to render a splotchy appearance when used with a powder foundation.

Celebrate Mom on Mother's Day Contest

Mothers are special people which is why we set aside a day every year to honor them. This year, Mother's Day is May 11 so now is the time to start planning on a special gift to show her how much you care.

I can't think of a better way to tell everyone just how special your Mom is than by entering 1800flowers.com's "Celebrate Mom for Who She Is Contest". Simply choose the category that best fits your Mom and tell them why your Mom is the greatest. There are over $30,000 in prizes. But hurry, as finalists from the entries will be chosen on April 21.

Flowers are a traditional gift at Mother's Day, but trust me, they never go out of fashion. A few years before my mother passed away, I decided upon a gift of flowers, but in an unusual way. That Mother's Day I bought trays of all differently colored blooms and planted them all along the front walk. I knew my mother always wanted flowers to line the walkway, but somehow she never got around to it. They looked beautiful, and best of all, it was a gift that bloomed all summer.

When you're writing your Celebrate Mom For Who She Is story, don't forget that flowers are always a great gift idea for mother’s day. Every woman loves flowers and enjoys their fragrant and delicate beauty. Show her you love her by sending a bouquet of flowers as beautiful as she is.

Organic Wear - Green Makeup from Physicians Formula

Physicians Formula was one of the first brands to score a hit with mineral makeup, and partly responsible for its emergence as the newest and most popular type of makeup on the market. They are forging the way again with a new line of natural makeup "Organic Wear".

Organic Wear is advertised as being "green" makeup. It is derived mostly from plant sources, a nearly vegetarian makeup. Physicians Formula states that it is 100% natural. They claim that Organic Wear is good for the environment as well as being good for your skin and that even the packaging is eco-friendly, containing less plastic than ordinary cosmetic containers.

The Face Powder for instance, is in a compact using 93% less plastic than traditional compacts and is guaranteed to be 100% free of harsh chemicals.

With the growing concern for environmentally-friendly products and the danger of some toxic chemicals in makeup, they may find a new market with a lot of potential if the products are as good and perform as well as their other lines.