CELEBRITY

Nine time-tested American beauty products

 

You can find many of these cosmetics at the drugstore for as little as $2.

 

9 Classic American Beauty Products

Nine time-honored iconic beauty products that were born in the U.S.A.

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara

The iconic pink-and-green tube is a staple among makeup artists and real women, thanks to the full, thick lash look it delivers. A testament to its popularity: One Great Lash Mascara tube is sold every 1.6 seconds in the United States.
To buy: Starting at $6, Yahoo! Shopping.

Clinique 3-Step Skin Care System

Clinique 3-Step Skin Care System

The company’s gentle soap, toner, and moisturizing regime gave many American women their first well-rounded skin-care routine. The products can be mixed and matched to suit any skin type, from the driest to the most oily. And today, there’s even an online version of the brand’s skin decoder (originally a slider device at counters) that helps you figure out which formulas are right for you.
To buy: Set starting at $40, Yahoo! Shopping.

More from RealSimple.com The Best Budget Wrinkle Smoothers Best Budget-Friendly Facial Cleansers 7 Picks for Flawless Skin

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Body Lotion

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Body Lotion

With its sweetly nutty scent, this lotion, originally introduced in the 1970s, continues to be the top-selling cocoa-butter moisturizer worldwide. And no wonder: It offers intense hydration and keeps skin feeling soft and supple.
To buy: Starting at $5, Yahoo! Shopping.

Lauren by Ralph Lauren Eau de Toilette

Lauren by Ralph Lauren Eau de Toilette

Ralph Lauren’s clothing has always embodied classic American style―and the same goes for his signature scent. Lauren, which has topped women’s bureaus since its launch in 1978, is a pretty floral mix of wild marigold, jasmine, and roses mixed with crisp green notes and soft woods. Today, the scent likely sits next to Lauren’s newer fragrance (and also destined to be a classic), Romance.

To buy: $49.50 for 2 oz., ralphlauren.com.

Herbal Essences Shampoo

Herbal Essences Shampoo

From the original hippie-inspired green bottle to the racy 90s TV commercials, women across the country have been lathering up with this shampoo for decades. Today, it’s available in 14 formulas, each with a uniquely wonderful scent.
To buy: $3, at drugstores.

Dove Beauty Bar

Dove Beauty Bar

With “one quarter moisturizing cream” in the formula, the bar actually conditions skin while it cleanses, unlike many soaps which strip. And it’s so gentle you can even use it on your face. The original white and pink versions are still staples; their newer sisters made for exfoliation and extra hydration have become classics, too.
To buy: $3 for two, at drugstores.

Olay Beauty Fluid

Olay Beauty Fluid

The time-honored pink lotion probably kept your mom’s skin soft and smooth and didn’t leave a trace of greasiness (in fact, it’s non-comedogenic). Today, new generations are discovering the budget-friendly fluid in its three updated formulas―the original for normal skin, oil-free for acne-prone skin, and fragrance-free for sensitive skin.
To buy: $9, at drugstores.

Noxzema Deep Cleansing Cream

Noxzema Deep Cleansing Cream

No doubt you remember the tingly feeling and zingy scent of this creamy wash (its key ingredients: eucalyptus, menthol, and camphor). It deeply cleanses skin without leaving it tight or flaky. Nowadays, there’s even a version with added moisturizers for those with dry complexions.
To buy: $4, at drugstores.

ChapStick

ChapStick

Suzy Chapstick knew her stuff: This twist-up balm was the saving lip salve for not only Olympic skiers but scores of American teenagers in the 1970s. And it’s still winning medals, thanks to a line expanded to include offerings with SPF 4, all-natural ingredients, deep moisture, and funky flavors. Even better, it remains slim enough to slip into a pocket or purse.
To buy: $2, at drugstores.

 

 

 

 

Taylor Swift - Taylor Swift Reveals Support Acts For Upcoming Tour

Taylor Swift has revealed the support acts for her forthcoming North American tour.

Taylor Swift, the American country singer-songwriter, will be supported by the likes of Frankie Ballard and Danny Gokey on her upcoming tour of the US, reports Cmt.com. The rock-band Needtobreathe have already been confirmed as the main opening act for the tour, but Swift has named a number of new artists who are set to perform brief sets at the start of each show. 28-year-old Ballard, who won Kenny Chesney's 'Next Big Star' competition in 2008, will join Swift for ten of the arena shows. Randy Montana will perform at concerts in Detroit, St Paul, Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Hartford, while the singer-songwriter James Wesley will join Swift in Greensboro, Knoxville and Louisville. The highly-anticipated tour is set to kick off on May 27th 2011 in Omaha, Nebraska.

Taylor Swift's self-titled debut album, which she released in 2006, has officially been certified quintuple platinum after selling over 5 million copies. The 21-year-old begins the European leg of her world tour this week, playing concerts in Belgium, Holland, Norway and Germany before moving onto the UK to perform in Manchester, Belfast, Dublin and London.

Rio's roving street bands keep Carnival free, fun

RIO DE JANEIRO – Nuns in hot pants, nuns in full habits and even nuns with bushy mustaches — the motley band of costumed revelers gathered to celebrate the first day of Carnival, joining one of the growing number of roving street bands that take over Rio de Janeiro during the five-day party.

The "nuns" are all followers of the Carmelitas, a group started in 1991 by friends who gathered for soccer and drinks just outside a convent of Carmelite nuns. Jokes about the sisters escaping to join the party gave rise to the band, which parades twice: at the beginning of Carnival, when the nuns supposedly escaped the convent join the fun, and on the last day, when they returned to their cloistered existence.

"We're keeping the tradition, remembering the first nuns who jumped the fence," said Eliete dos Santos, 25, who was out with five other costumed "sisters" as the partying began Friday.

While the public face of Rio's Carnival is the famed two-day parade of samba groups, which can each spend more than $5 million on extravagant costumes and floats, its heart lies in these roving groups of irreverently costumed, mostly inebriated partiers who create a free, open-to-all street Carnival. Their cavorting is likely to hit a fever pitch Saturday.

A revival over the past 10 to 15 years has given the roughly century-old tradition of street bands a new swagger. This year, 424 of them registered with the mayor's office. Countless others, some little more than a group of good friends with a band and some beers, don't even bother with the legalities.

About three weeks before Carnival's official kickoff, they start parading around town, tying up traffic and playing traditional tunes or their own, wacky theme songs composed to make fun of the year's news, politicians, celebrities, or anyone who strikes their fancy.

This being Carnival, there are only the loosest rules. Generally, they congregate on a street corner, a bar or a square. Once their following swells to a sufficiently animated band of revelers, they perform a short circuit around the neighborhood, drawing along the dancing masses.

Their names reflect their idiosyncrasies. Some carry monikers that point to their geographical origin in the city: "Suvaco de Cristo," literally translated as "The Armpit of Christ," is based in a neighborhood more or less underneath the outspread arms of Rio's Christ the Redeemer statue.

Many of these roving street bands go for laughs with impossible to translate names that make not-too-subtle references to two favored Carnival pursuits: making out and drinking. "Come with me, I'm easy," "I've stopped drinking, but I haven't stopped lying" and "Poke her and she'll jump," are among the tamer examples.

For the Carmelitas, nuns reign even though all are welcome.

Marcelo Carvalho, 34, dressed as a protesting Egyptian in a tunic and sign saying "Down with the mummies" tried to talk some of them into a change of habit.

"Islam is where it's at," he told the costumed nuns. "After all the scandals, you can't shame the Catholic Church anymore. Try a new religion!"

The "Carmelitas" band entices thousands through the steep, cobble-stoned streets of Santa Teresa, one of Rio's most picturesque neighborhoods.

Some bands call out to small but specific crowds.

One group devoted to pets and their owners leaves in the early morning and promenades along Copacabana beach. Its sound truck, topped by a giant inflatable puppy, draws a family-friendly crowd. The animals range from dogs in fairy wings, party hats and ballet tutus to more exotic pets like a rooster in a polka-dot clown suit.

Rita dos Santos has brought her white poodle every year since the band's inception nine years ago.

"For every day of carnival she has a costume," she said, holding up the fluffy white pup in a burlesque outfit of black leather and lace.

"Me Beija que sou Cineasta" — translated as "Kiss me, I'm a filmmaker" — appeals to those in the industry and their fans. "Imprensa que Eu Gamo," which translates loosely as "Press me and I'll fall for you," brings together journalists and friends.

The lyrics of their theme song always play off the year's news: This time, WikiLeaks, Hosni Mubarak's fall in Egypt, and the election of Brazil's first female president were all fair game.

"Come uncover my scoop, and read between my lines. ... Use and abuse your thesaurus, and fall into samba, my friend," participants belted out the chorus in a marketplace as they drew followers.

"The dancing is not their specialty, but the conversation is great," said Erica Paim, 21, a college student who has donned the press group's black-and-red colors for three years in a row. "Everyone knows everyone, and everyone drinks."

Others have become Rio institutions.

The "Banda de Ipanema" was founded in 1965, in the wake of a coup that established a military dictatorship in Brazil, and prizes irreverence above all. It draws cross-dressers galore: men in elaborate fruit-topped hats and halter tops a la Carmen Miranda together with police officers in short shorts and strings of condoms as ammo belts.

It's the gayest street band in town, Alci Bueno, 41, said as it met near an Ipanema street that concentrates many of the area's gay bars. Bueno comes from Niteroi, a town across the bay from Rio, to join the fun.

"It's a Carnival classic — traditional and eclectic," he said of Banda de Ipanema. "You find all kinds of people — anything you can imagine. Anything — so be careful!"

Tisha: First Person Singular

In this instalment of "Hassles of Fame", TV and film actress Tisha talks about the predicaments she faces thanks to her growing popularity:

When I was a child, I used to hear that 'hassle' always accompany fame. Reading about celebrities made me chuckle at times. But as my face became more visible in the media, I got a firsthand experience of the troubles fame brings.

It is natural for fans to seek autographs, and it's also fun for me to meet fans during my shooting break. But when they form a mob, it's usually troublesome. Posing for pictures with fans is no hassle, unless someone starts taking random snaps with their cell phones without my consent.

Another problem I face is the limitation to roam around and do what I want. Even if I want to have a plate of phuchka in between my shooting hours, there's always a crowd milling around me. Sometimes when I go shopping without a burqa -- the extent of the hassles can be seen. Even the shopkeeper raises the price when he realises who I am.

The most irritating price to pay for fame is unwanted phone calls. This is the reason I don't always answer all calls. But somehow the fans find a way to get their hands on my number and call at odd hours. Instead of treating me like a fellow human being, they consider me only a "star".

When in overseas I don't face much trouble unless a fellow Bangladeshi recognises me and comes up to me; but in the country it's always a different story. Even if I travel to Cox'sbazaar for a shoot there's always a crowd forming around me.

I've also faced hassles mid-air. When flying, passengers sometimes try to take a peek at me and ask for autographs. They also praise or criticise me for my works. But when someone wants to take a picture mid-flight, it always irritates me.

In the end I have to admit that there are two sides of the coin of fame. I have to face what I dislike because that's how the fans express their love and admiration towards my work. That is a great achievement.

News Source: 

 The Daily Star

A Grounded Actress

Bidya Sinha Mim stepped into showbiz when she won the Lux-Channel i Superstar title in 2007. Immediately, she was recruited as a lead actress in Humayun Ahmed's feature film, “Amar Achhe Jol”.

“My dreams came true when I won the 'Superstar' title and had a remarkable opportunity to work with Humayun Ahmed,” recalls Mim.

Asked about her dreams and aspirations, she remarks: “An artiste's dreams don't always come true. Moreover, I'm relatively new to showbiz. Nevertheless, I'm quite content with my achievements in the course of my brief career. For example, I read and was, sort of, carried away by Jibanananda Das' poem, 'Banalta Sen' when I was in class seven. Now that the short poem has been stretched into a drama, I have been cast for the title role which is really exciting for me.”

What are the differences between the poem and the play? “Actually, the play is inspired by the poem. The writer and director revealed their imagination superbly,” responds Mim.”

Commenting on her experience of performing in the drama, she said, “Banalata Sen, the role I play, is a girl from a lower middle class family, who makes a living through thread and needle. So I had to get a makeover that fitted the role. The whole thing was a challenge for me.”

About her appearance in feature films, Mim said: “After 'Amar Achhe Jol', I worked in 'Amar Praner Priya', which became a huge success. I want to work in feature films and TV plays simultaneously. I will, nevertheless, be selective.”

Mim watches her plays whenever she gets the time and opportunity and believes that she will do better in the future. She dreams of creating a stronghold in showbiz.

News Source: 

 The Daily Star

Chhayanaut's Yearlong Celebration of Tagore's 150th Birth Anniversary Reaches 6th Phase

With the staging of “Daakghar” at the Chhayanaut Auditorium by the students of Nalanda [Chhayanaut's school], the sixth phase of the yearlong celebration of Rabindranath Tagore's 150th birth anniversary began on March 3.

The four-day event, featuring theatre and film adaptations of Tagore's works, is being held at Chhayanaut Shangskriti Bhaban and National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala academy (BSA) in Dhaka.

The opening programme began with a rendition of “Oi Mahamanab Ashey” by Chhayanaut singers. Chhayanaut artistes also paid tribute to late Apala Farhat through observing one minute silence that was followed by a brief welcome speech by Abul Hasnat.

After the staging of "Daakghar", the film "Kabuliwala" was screened.

On the second day [March 4] of the event, the film "Otithi" was screened at 10:30am at the same venue.

Dr. Syed Jamil Ahmed will deliver a lecture, titled “Bangladesh-e Rabindra Natyacharcha”, today at National Theatre Hall. Staging of "Bishorjon" by Tirjok Natyadol, Chittagong will also be held at the same venue.

The sixth phase will wrap up through screening of the film "Tin Konya" at Chhayanaut auditorium on March 6 evening. Nagarik Natya Sampradaye will stage the play "Achalayatan" at National Theatre Hall the same evening.

The seventh and final phase will be held from May 7 to 9, 2011 at the Shawkat Osman Auditorium, Central Public Library in Dhaka. Apart from songs, dances and recitations, two lectures by Dr. Atiur Rahman and Abul Momen are highlights of this phase.

Grameenphone is sponsoring the yearlong programme.

News Source: 

 The Daily Star