Today (well, now yesterday, I just got in from seeing it!), “The Women” opened in theaters across America.

I am very excited about this movie, and since here at Beyond Beauty Basics we have the opportunity to see some clips (before the release date – sneak peak!) and a documentary about the movie production sponsored by Dove.

The Movie

A remake of a movie originally released in 1939, this version – written, produced, and directed by the extraordinarily talented Diane English, “The Women” has been updated with stronger, more independent female characters and stars some of the most famous, loved, and critically acclaimed actresses of our time: Annette Bening, Meg Ryan, Jada Pinkett Smith, Debra Messing, Eva Mendes, Candace Bergen, Cloris Leachman, Carrie Fisher, Debi Mazar, and let’s not forget THE DIVINE MISS M. – Bette Midler. And all of them are beautiful in their own unique way.

Dove Campaign for Real Beauty

The Dove Campaign for Real Beauty is a perfect fit for a movie like “The Women,” which features all all-female cast ranging in age from just 11 to 80, and highlights themes such as female empowerment, body image issues, and self esteem.

Some of our favorite topics here at Beyond Beauty Basics!

As you likely already know, approximately four years ago (seems like yesterday!), Dove launched its “Campaign for Real Beauty,” which featured real women – NOT models – in their print, television and online advertising. [Of course this is not to say that models are “fake” women, but as Annette Bening’s character, Sylvie Fowler says, “Nobody looks like those girls - not even them. They’re all airbrushed and retouched.”]

The Campaign for Real Beauty is more than just a marketing campaign. It’s a global campaign aiming to be catalyst for societal change. At Dove, they believe that the definition of beauty is too narrow and that approximately only two percent of women worldwide describe themselves as beautiful

The Dove Campaign for Real Beauty invites women to talk about their views of beauty, beauty ideals, self esteem and body image issues with other women all over the world. Join the discussion at www.campaignforrealbeauty.com.

“The Women” Can Do Anything

Working with the film’s director, Diane English, Dove created a short documentary entitled The Women Behind “The Women,” which is available to view only on Dove.com. Junior journalist Cammy Nelson, 16, of Redwing Minnesota goes behind-the-scenes to witness the making of a movie, highlighting the roles of the female cast and crew members that are essential to production, and interviewing them about what their views of beauty are.
The short documentary highlights the challenges all women face when it comes to their ideas of beauty and their views of themselves. The interviews explore just how diverse beauty can be. If Debra Messing was teased in school for her gorgeous curls and Jada Pinkett Smith for her skinny (read: slim and slender!) legs; you can only imagine what women, teens, preteens and even younger girls go through everyday.

Women are pressured to fit beauty ideals. Maybe it’s a size 2, size 4, size 0. Small noses or straight hair. But we don’t all look alike, and we can all be beautiful!

Cammy got to see firsthand the work that goes into making actresses “set ready.” Hours or makeup and hair. Lighting. Touchups between scenes (Can I have this in my everyday life — PLEASE!?). She then got a makeover from the crew of makeup artists and hair stylists to show how the beautiful women onscreen get that way. (And we have to add; Cammy is just adorable either way!)

The junior journalist also got to interview a number of the cast and crew. There are women working on the set from production, to set design, lighting, as “cameramen,” script supervisors, editors, makeup artists and hair stylists – and let’s not forget our actresses and our director, Diane English.

When asked what makes a woman beautiful, everyone had a different answer, but it was never slim thighs, full lips, or straight hair.

“Sense of self.”

“Sense of humor.”

“Comedic timing.”

“Confidence.”

“How we feel about ourselves.”

“Authenticity.”

And my favorite: “Be kind to yourself.”

As the documentary comes to an end, we are left with these words from Diane English, “Each of us has our own unique beauty, and each of us recognizes different things as beautiful: confidence, humor, compassion, wisdom, happiness. That is what really beauty is all about.”
Visit Dove.com today to:

* View exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of The Women & The Women Behind “The Women”
* Read the Director’s Diary, written by Diane English
* Go Behind-the-Scenes with Dove teen journalist Cammy Nelson
* Download self-esteem building tools for girls, moms and mentors
* Enter for a chance to win one of 100 pairs of movie tickets each day between 9/3 and 9/19. (No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited.)

Win “The Women” tickets & Gift Bag on Beyond Beauty Basics!

Leave us a comment here on Beyond Beauty Basics and WIN a pair of tickets to see “The Women” in theaters and a gift bag with some fresh goodies from Dove!

Contest ends Wednesday, September 17, 2008 11:59pm EST. One (1) lucky winner will be chosen at random on Sept. 17th. This contest is only open to U.S. residents and winners will be notified via email.

Photos courtesy of Dove.com

**Winner update:  Congratulations to Diane Polchinski in NJ!

Popularity: 3%

Lights, camera, makeup brush! Kabuki is a mentor to many makeup artists and is an inspiration in both artistry and creativity to the community. Hailing from merry ol’ England, Key Artist for the Tony Cohen show at The Salon in Bryant Park on September, 8, 2008, inspiration came from Odilon Redon, the late 19th century Symbolist artist. When asked, what about this artist inspired you? Kabuki replied, “Picture a mysterious woman that exists somewhere between the romantic and decadent.”

A former model and textile designer, Kabuki’s faces have appeared on the runway, in print, and television. His work can be seen in Vogue, Bazaar, and Numero, to name a few. Patricia Field, stylist and designer for HBO’s Sex In The City, called upon his expertise to design the makeup looks for style divas Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, and Kristin Davis. With his vast list of credentials, it is no wonder Tony Cohen went straight to the master of makeup, Kabuki, to design the looks for Spring 2009.

The look created by Kabuki for Tony Cohen was exactly how his quote described, “romantic and decadent.” With soft skin, a warm cheek highlight, and deep color strategically placed on the inner corner of the eyes, this gentle yet rich-indulgent look entranced the viewers for yet another hit for innovative makeup artist, Kabuki.

When asked how to achieve this striking look, Kabuki responded, “We’re sculpting the face with two tones of MAC Select Cover-up and with blush, neutralizing the lips and brows. Then, I added a generous amount of Carbon Eye Shadow for the inner eye. Lastly, I balanced the look with a highlight of Vanilla Pigment on the cheek.”

The stunning contoured faces and eyes perfectly complimented the elegant simplicity of Tony Cohen’s designs. The hair styling was equally stunning with sleek roots and textured ends. Cohen’s designs incorporated neutral tones with sheer fabrics that flowed down the runway. This marvelous combination is aesthetically pleasing to the senses while transcending current trend.

Kabuki, the chameleon of makeup design, continues to surprise us with his creations and keeps us guessing- what imaginative look will he craft next? With inspired looks and inventive design, the maestro of makeup is always creating new faces for all aspects in fashion and beauty.

For more on Kabuki’s work, visit www.kabukimagic.com.

Photos: Victoria Stiles

Popularity: 4%

As the days count down to the big three-oh (as of me writing this, precisely 3 months and 19 days), I have becoming increasingly concerned with what my mother’s generation would probably call “wrinkle cream.” I get microdermabrasion facials and I try just about everything that is going to cleanse, tone, moisturize, clarify, even skin tone and well, basically…

Make me look younger.

Now, don’t be fooled by my intro. On average, I look about 26. In fact, no one guesses any higher than 27, ever – and that is usually because they saw the photos of my niece and nephew, 5 years and 6 months respectively, on my desk and assumed they were little mini Jennifer Longs. (But I digress; I love the little people in my life.)

The moral of the story MIGHT BE that I started paying attention to the effects that sun and other environmental elements have on my skin at a relatively young age. So the first time I dipped a finger into something you might call “wrinkle cream” I was barely more than 24.

Needless to say, I was excited when Beyond Beauty Basics had the opportunity to try ZO Skin Health’s Anti-Aging products from Dr. Zein Obagi of Beverly Hills! (Woo hoo!)

My first impression of the products, based on packing and such, was just WOW. But would is pass the smell test? You sensitive skin girls may understand where I am coming from. I watch out for lotions, creams, cleansers, toners, etc., with strong fragrances because they usually mean Breakout City for me. But what little scent this product has was pleasant and I decided first to do a patch test.

After passing the patch test, I was ready to go!

Exfoliating Cleanser

I am probably what you’d call an exfoliating junkie. I’ve got everything for wrinkles, blackheads, acne (I cannot even remember the last time I even had acne!), dry skin, and the list goes on. What I have learned from all of my trials with exfoliation products is this: there is a gentle balance. You don’t want an exfoliation product that doesn’t exfoliate and you don’t want one that leaves your skin red and raw (my teen years saw a lot of these).

The exfoliator is pretty gentle, not too gentle per say, but sensitive skin girls like me appreciate it. Just scrubby enough to make your face feel nice and clean but not so scrubby that you look like you’ve had a chemical peel.

Growth Factor Serum

I am a marketer’s dream. I love anything called serum because it sounds so clinical and effective. However, some of my forays into skin care have left me wary. I want to repair the damage from the sun and environmental stressors, but um… how do I say this delicately? Oh yeah, I’M DELICATE! I don’t want to break out in the trial and error process.

I loved this as soon as I cracked open the jar. Decidedly colorless and scentless, it smoothed onto my skin like nothing else. It even left my fingertips feeling soft and beautiful. Just a tiny little bit goes a long way.

Dr. Obagi, my forehead thanks you. Those fine lines disappeared. It looks like I can skip the Botox I was going to treat myself with for my thirtieth and buy myself those Louboutins I’ve had my eye on.

Radical Night Repair

Radical repair sounds like just what I needed. Hey, I’ve been driving a convertible for ten years and I like Caribbean vacations. I don’t want to look my age and I certainly don’t want to look older. I need something that works with my lifestyle to keep me looking young. Besides, I like younger guys, too (tee hee).

Before trying, I checked Dr. Obagi’s site. It says this product addresses those deep lines, wrinkles, dark spots (sun spots, you sun-worshippers!), loss of radiance, texture and firmness. So basically, all of my problems!

This product contains a high concentration of Retinol – boasting 10 times the industry average, but in a time-release formula. It also contains Vitamins and anti-oxidants known to benefit the skin like Vitamin C and E and Coenzyme Q-10. It also contains Crithmum Maritimum, a Marine Extract that “reduces free radicals and improves cellular function while controlling sebum to restore overall skin health;” and Bisabolol, a calming botanical that reduces inflammation.

The verdict?

Those age spots (doesn’t “freckles” sound about a billion times cuter?) are disappearing. My complexion has taken on a more even tone, and is free of blemishes. The only thing to note is that my skin seems slightly paler than it has at the end of summers past, but I credit that not only to evening out my skin tone, but to the next product: the sunscreen!

Sunscreen + Primer SPF 30 (UVA/UVB Protection)

Sunscreen is my new best friend. I seriously only started using it a few years ago after I went for my first professional facial and saw all those cute “freckles” were actually age spots. Ugh.

It is so hard to pick a sunscreen for your face. It needs to work while NOT causing breakouts, drying out your skin, OR leaving a gross oily residue. Plus with sensitive skin, I am overly cautious. One day with the wrong product and I could end up looking like a hormonal teenage boy. I love Dr. Obagi’s because it goes on nice and smooth and it is slightly tinted. It’s a perfect makeup primer for all over your face. The best is, it actually works. It not only helps my makeup set perfectly but I also wore it everyday without makeup for eight days in sunny, tropical, Caribbean Turks and Caicos.

No extra “freckles,” no peeling, no dry spots.

Now that’s a vacation!

photo: Amanda Picone

Popularity: 4%

Television has made 90210 the hottest zip code around. Known for California sun-kissed beauty and couture fashion, 90210 sets the bar once again for hot trends in this second generation television series! In this month’s issue of Nylon magazine, 90210’s newest cast of gals, Jessica Stroup, AnnaLynne McCord, and Shenae Grimes sport sassy makeup complete with luscious nude lips.

Wearing nude lips can be tricky. Keeping the definition of your lips is key. Follow this step-by-step guideline so you don’t get washed-out and fall flat this season!

1. Exfoliate and Moisturize Lips -First rule for ANY makeup application is to remove dry or flaky skin – even on your lips! Benefit has the best prescription for combating the driest chapped lips! Benefit Lipscription duo pack contains a tube of jojoba-enriched scrubbing beads and a tube of hydrating lip balm. Start by exfoliating to remove flaky skin, then follow-up with the lip balm for a perfectly prepped pout.
2. Define Lips - This step is probably the most over-looked of all when attempting to achieve nude lips. Why would we need to define our lips if we’re just going to make them disappear? The answer is we don’t want our lips to appear one-dimensional, especially for those paparazzi shots! Giving lips definition is the second most important step of the nude lip process. Define your lips by using a lip pencil that is a shade or two deeper than your skin tone. For light and medium skin tones try Laura Mercier’s Flawless Fix Pencil in Fair and Beige respectively, and dark skin tones try Makeup Forever’s Lip Pencil in Chocolate.  TIP: For a natural blended appearance, apply the lip pencil by using the side and not the tip. Avoid drawing a definitive line by applying with the edge of the pencil for a fuller outline.
3. Concealer - Yes folks, the rumors are true. Skip the wannabe nude lipstick shades and head straight for the concealer. Just like the lip pencil, choose a shade one or two steps darker than your skin tone. Clinique’s All About Eyes has an excellent line of liquid concealer shades that are moisturizing! Stay away from thick cream concealers which will only cake up your lips. Apply the liquid concealer with a lipbrush (Bobbi Brown’s Retractable Lip Brush is fantastic at home or on the go!) and be sure to blend with the lip liner for a clean finish.
4. Matte or Gloss Finish? -The ending is all up to you! For a matte finish, you can choose to stop after Step 3 but I would suggest to overlay the concealer with a petroleum based balm like Keihl’s Lip Balm #1 for a demi-matte finish. For a high-gloss finish, my personal favorite, try Nars Lip Gloss in Greek Holiday for light to medium skin tones and Lancome’s Juicy Tubes Smoothie in Sun Bronze for darker skin tones. Again, apply and blend with a lipbrush.

Congratulations! Your lips are ready to take on the most popular girls in Beverly Hills – 90210 style!

Popularity: 8%