Diamond and ruby facial for the extremely wealthy

Ladies, ever wish to live like the celebrities do and go out and buy diamonds and rubies? What about using these precious gems for skin care? One new celebrity trend is using diamonds as part of a skin care treatment, reports the Daily Mail. 

According to the news provider, rubbing diamonds on the skin can produce an antioxidant effect. Some celebrities, including Mila Kunis, have been spotted getting facials that involve this fancy treatment, which carries a $7,000 price tag.

The procedure is called the HD Diamond and Ruby Peel, and Forbes reports that this is at least the second time that Kunis has been spotted receiving the treatment. The magazine also offered a list of some other luxury skin care options for the rich and famous including an Evian bath that costs 5,000 dollars.

Ethnic women looking to achieve glowing skin without spending thousands of dollars should consider skin care products for black skin that contain natural antioxidant extracts.  

Introducing the beautiful and talented Ezperanza Spalding

African American musician Ezperanza Spalding shocked the country at the Grammy awards earlier this year by winning "best new artist" over the much-touted Justin Beiber.

The Prague Post recently ran a profile on the jazz singer, portraying her as a talented and bright young woman who is bringing influences from chamber music and old school jazz to modern music.

Spalding's talent was recognized at an early age, and at 20 she was named the youngest ever professor at the Berklee College of Music. On her student profile from 2004, executive vice president Gary Burton praised her unique abilities.

"She has a great time feel, she can confidently read the most complicated compositions, and she communicates her upbeat personality in everything she plays," he says. "She is definitely headed for a great career, and it will be soon."

Along with her talent, Spalding has also been pointed out for her unique beauty and style. While everyone might not be able to have her musical ability, any ethnic woman can help their skin glow like Spalding's by using skin care products for black skin.  

Jill Scott inspires confidence and pride in being a woman

R&B singer and actress Jill Scott is talented, confident and never afraid to speak her mind. The Chicago Tribune recently profiled the African American singer, highlighting her remarkable ability to not let anything hold her back from being her true self, even during a performance at the White House.

At a recent White House event Scott preformed the poem "Womanifesto," making bold statements about the plight of being a woman.

“A woman is more than the sum of her parts,” Scott told the Tribune. “So I had an opportunity to present some work at the White House, I chose not just to talk about the sky, the planet, love or heartache. I wanted to actually be there, to place a mark on that moment.”

Billboard magazine reports that after going through two painful break-ups Scott channeled her emotions into her music to produce her new album, The Light of the Sun.

Women who want to gain Scott's confidence should consider starting with skin care products for black skin. Designed specifically for ethnic women, African American skin care products can help you feel confident on the outside and inside.

VIVmag to feature beauty tips and Garcelle Beauvais this month

The all-digital luxury magazine VIVmag will offer helpful summer beauty tips in its July/August issue. The magazine will also feature fasionista Garcelle Beauvais who opens up to readers about her life and her struggle to overcome stereotypes as a Haitian woman living in the U.S.

Editor-in-chief Anne M. Russel said a statement that this issue with deal with important topics relevant to the summer, and also inspire readers during the hottest months.

"VIVmag is about staying beautiful, both inside and out, and cover girl Garcelle radiates confidence and beauty as she opens up about her lust for life, healing from a broken marriage, grieving for her home country of Haiti and overcoming stereotypes," said Russel.

Beauvais is no stranger to heartache, the actress divorced last year and is still recovering from the loss of her mother. She's seen as an inspiration for her ability to remain a strong and beautiful woman in the face of adversity.

“Women feel so much pressure to multitask all the time,” the actress told People magazine. “I’m trying really hard to be in the present and not be worrying so much about what I should have done or what I’m going to do.”

Women looking to get glowing skin like Garcelle Beauvais should consider using African American skin care products.  

Mary J. Blige's big finish at the Essence Music Festival

July 3rd, 2011 was celebrated in style at the Lousiana Superdome in New Orleans during the Essence Music Festival. Towards the latter part of the evening, half the audience had taken a seat, according to www.nola.com. However, spirited singer Mary J. Blige led the show to a strong finish after getting most of the spectators back on their feet.

Although she has a track record of success and wealth, she readily taps into her painful past with purposeful lyrics from the heart, the news source reported.

And engage the audience she did, with her glimmering tone that resonated from her voice to the goosebumps on her skin.

You, too, can experience a transformation of your own. African American and other ethnic skin can experience increased tone, firmness and brightness that boost overall glow with proper skin treatments.

Any African-American woman can shimmer as brilliantly as Blige did as she celebrated the country's 235th birthday. By using high caliber black skin care products, you'll be able to unleash your inner diva wherever you set foot. 

Hormonal disorders, like Missy Elliot's, may require extra attention to skin care for black women

Popular rapper Missy Elliot revealed to the public recently that she has been battling Grave's disease. This is an endocrine disorder that over-activates the thyroid and may increase anxiety, irritability, metabolism and affect sleep.

Although not to the same extent as Missy Elliot faces with Grave's disease, the skin of ethnic women has higher sensitivity to any type of change including that caused by hormones as well as emotional and environmental triggers.

Missy Elliot is determined to make a come back and has made a commitment to living a healthier lifestyle that includes weight loss. Hormonal disorders can wreak havoc on the skin, but even healthy women have to battle similar hurdles. High quality ethnic skin products are a good solution not just to those with hormonal disorders but also to all ethnic women.

According to African-American dermatologist Dr. Susan Taylor, brown skin is very susceptible to developing uneven skin tones that may be brought on by stress or other health issues. In addition, darker skin may be readily irritated by many skin care products. Potential ingredients to watch out for include propylene glycol, alcohol and lanolin. In order to safeguard yourself against such compounds, you may consider using ethnic skin care products.  

Beyonce chooses her own destiny...

Beyonce Knowles has been resilient through some tough trials with her record studio, as indicated by FoxNews.com. Throughout this process, she has continued to glow radiantly and has not missed a beat when it comes to shining from head to toe.

All African American women should know that to look this good requires attention to detail. They need to understand facts such as the unique nature of their skin. African American dermatologist Dr. Susan Taylor points out that ethnic skin is more susceptible to changes in the weather, environment and stress levels. These may induce changes in pigmentation.

Taylor, director of the Society Hill Dermatology in Philadelphia, believes the most common problem is pigmentation disorders, which includes discoloration, dark marks and uneven skin tone.

African American women have the power to control their own skin care destiny by selecting skin products for black women. Just like Beyonce, you too can shimmer from head to toe with confidence as you move forward through all types of challenging endeavors.

Jada Pinkett Smith: Balancing work, family and beauty of African American skin

Popular actress Jada Pinkett Smith turns 40 this fall and does so under the constant pressure of balancing work and family. Smith was crowned Miss Maryland in 1988, according to the Internet Movie Database. However, the years have not tarnished her appearance despite the growth of her family, career and business ventures.

As she approaches 40, the mother of two, successful actress, businesswoman and wife, Pinkett Smith undoubtedly shares many women's experience of trying to keep all aspects of her life in balance. African American women have extra work involved in this process as their ethnic skin is more sensitive to both mental and physical changes. These include emotional or stressful times and variations in weather.

Dr. Susan Taylor, an African American dermatologist, has found that the most difficult struggles these women have are associated with pigmentation, or uneven skin tone, that may change on a daily basis. Taylor recommends skin care for black women to combat these uncertainties.

Find balance in your life with a strategic approach. Whether it is raining or shining, outside or inside, ethnic skin may be best prepared for any challenge with the use of black skin care products. 

Kelly Choi recognized for her charity work with Positively Beautiful Award

Television host, former model and foodie Kelly Choi will be honored on June 28 at the HBA Global Expo with the Positively Beautiful Award for her work with charities Angelwish and Citymeals-on-Wheels.

Hailing from Korea, Choi first gained notoriety as the winner of Elite Modeling Agency's Look of the Year and also worked as a host on MTV Korea and the TV Guide Channel. Now, she enjoys combining her talents for being a television personality with her love of food, as the host of Bravo's Top Chef Masters and a judge on Iron Chef America.

"I'm excited to have such successful relationships with these amazing organizations in order to help educate the new generation on important issues that hit home for me," said Choi.

Angelwish is an organization that helps dreams come true for kids with chronic illnesses. Meanwhile, Citymeals-on-Wheels provides hot, nutritious food to homebound elderly people living in New York.

To prepare for the award ceremony, Choi may want to consider using Asian skin care products to ensure that she looks her best on stage.  

Liya Kebede: Model, actress, activist

At the age of 18, Liya Kebede left her home country of Ethiopia for France in hopes of becoming a model. She was immediately recognized by top fashion designers like Tom Ford and since then, she has gone on to explore an acting career and taken on successful ventures as a humanitarian.

Kebede's role in 2006's The Good Shepard led to her being cast in the 2009 film adaptation of Desert Flower as the character Waris Dirie.

In 2005, Kebede was given the opportunity to advocate for maternal, infant and neonatal healthcare as a Goodwill Ambassador for the World Health Organization. Just months later, the multi-talented model began the Liya Kebede Foundation, which raises money for the Durame Hospital in Awassa.

Kebede also supports her native continent with her clothing line called Lemlem, which utilizes the skills of African artisans and aids communities in becoming self-sustaining.

Perhaps because of her glowing ethnic skin, Kebede was recently named a spokesperson for L'Oreal Paris, joining other beauties like Frieda Pinto and Jennifer Lopez.  

Oprah honored with Broadcasters Award during her show's final season

Over the past 25 years, Oprah Winfrey has been hosting her own daytime television show that features a wide array of topics of interest to women - from domestic violence to skin care.

Now, in the last season of her eponymous program, NBC reports that Winfrey will be inducted into the Illinois Broadcasting Association's (IBA) Hall of Fame for maintaining high television standards and gaining an impressive number of dedicated viewers throughout the years.

Dennis Lyle, president of the IBA, said Winfrey is the "epitome of broadcasting excellence," quoted by the source.

Her last show will air on May 25, and is planned to be a surprise even for Winfrey, since producers are keeping the guest list a secret.

Winfrey has become such a force in the media that each book she features for her book club, every skin care product she recommends and every person she interviews soon becomes a household name. While The Oprah Winfrey Show is coming to a close, her fans will still be able to benefit from her advice and entertainment through her television network, website and magazines.  

Rashida Jones to star in two upcoming movies

Television actress Rashida Jones will be getting some more big screen exposure in the upcoming year, as she's slated to begin filming on two movies this summer.

One is a romantic comedy titled Celeste and Jesse Forever, a project that revolves around a divorced couple who attempt to cohabitate while pursuing new dating adventures, IndieWire.com reports.

In the second film, Jones will co-star with Zooey Deschanel for the indie film titled My Idiot Brother. The movie is about three older sisters who try to help out their brother who was busted for selling drugs to a police officer. Jones will play a lesbian in the movie, and told the Huffington Post what it was like to kiss Deschanel.

"'I was like, 'Oh, my God, girls are so pretty and soft. No stubble burn!'" Jones said, quoted by the news source.

Jones herself appears to have a pretty smooth complexion. She has told InStyle magazine that she keeps her ethnic skin beautiful with noninvasive laser treatments.

Additionally, she might do well to try skin care products especially formulated for African American skin.  

Tyra Banks launches beauty and fashion website

In her never-ending quest to empower women and help them feel beautiful, Tyra Banks has launched a new website called typeF.com in which she gives personalized style and skin care advice.

In addition to viewing regular articles, videos and postings, users will be allowed to enter their personal information to gain access to a style site and advice tailored to their needs and preferences.

"Beauty is not one shade, one size, one style, one color - YOU are beauty and typeF.com is the beginning of a movement that starts with and for YOU," Banks said.

The site offers how-tos on hair care, skin care, makeup and also features the latest fashions approved by Tyra herself. Additionally, visitors to the site can view videos of fashion shows, makeup and skin care product tutorials, and hair care demonstrations.

Women who have searched the internet only to find a lack of websites that focus on ethnic skin care and issues that are unique to African American women may find just what they're looking for at typeF.com.  

First Lady gives moving speech at Spelman College

Michelle Obama recently spoke at the Spelman College commencement, offering her advice to the recent graduates of one of the country's oldest academic establishments that has educated some of the most successful African American women in the world.

The First Lady told her audience that it is their duty to do the best that they can, and to encourage others to do the same.

“It is vitally important that you all rise to the highest ranks of every industry and every profession,” Obama said, quoted by The Atlanta Journal - Constitution. “As you climb those career ladders, just remember to reach down and pull others up behind you.”

Much like her husband, Obama never fails to charm. From her words of wisdom to her glowing ethnic skin, she's become an icon of American beauty.

The First Lady's makeup artist, Igrid Grimes-Myles, told ELLE magazine that much of what keeps Obama looking fresh is healthy lifestyle choices, like exercising and getting plenty of water.

They key to flawless African American skin involves more than great skin care products, as it starts from the inside with proper nutrition and optimal physical health.  

Zoe Saldana getting dramatic this year

While actress Zoe Saldana is well-known for her roles in science fiction films like Avatar and 2009's Star Trek, this year she'll release action flick Colombiana and begin filming on an adaptation of David Mitchell's Cloud Atlas titled The Words.

Colombiana features the mocha-skinned beauty as an assassin and a vigilante who avenges her parents' untimely death. The trailer has been released online, and the film is set to hit theaters this September.

It's not yet known what role Saldana will play in The Words, but she will co-star along Susan Sarandon, Dennis Quaid and Bradley Cooper in the movie about plagiarism and destiny. Filming begins this fall.

New movies mean premieres and red carpet fashion, especially for Saldana who has been making quite the name for herself as a style maven. At the recent Met Gala, the Dominican starlet turned heads in a simple, strapless canary yellow gown that perfectly accented her ethnic skin tone. She polished off her look with a smoky eye, pink blush and a neutral shimmery lip gloss.  

Paula Patton shines in Jumping the Broom

Jumping the Broom stars Paula Patton, Laz Alonso and Angela Basset in a romantic comedy about what happens when two families are joined by marriage despite their differences. The film has already been shown to be a hit, coming in third in its debut weekend, earning $13.7 million at the box office, according to Hollywood Reporter.

This may be in part because of the rising star Patton's appeal as an up-and-coming powerhouse after earning acclaim in 2009's Precious as the title character's inspirational teacher, Ms. Rain.

The actress spoke with Women's Health about how she maintains her glowing complexion and healthy figure.

"I know if I enrich my mind and spirit, then I'll feel good. And when you feel good about yourself, it can't help but reflect on your outer beauty," Patton said, quoted by the source.

Her regimen includes yoga and loading up on green tea, water and fruit to keep her lovely African American skin healthy. Additionally, she said that moisturizing is key - even indulging in oxygen facials - as well as getting plenty of sleep each night.  

Jennifer Hudson seems to be having a great year

Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson recently made a trip to Brazil to benefit AIDS prevention efforts and has been showing off her savvy for fashion with a new, slimmer figure.

Hudson and fellow actress Claire Danes headed to Sao Paulo in late April to support the American Foundation for AIDS Research for the organization's first South American event.

While there, Hudson will show off her vocal pipes as designer Francisco Costa is honored for his awareness efforts.

At a recent event, she showed off her slimmed-down figure in a rosy pink sheath that beautifully complimented her skin tone. She was also spotted at the Met Costume Institute Gala wearing a ruched, silvery grey Vera Wang gown. Additionally, her red-orange Versace gown at this year's Oscars was as memorable as her award-winning performance in Dreamgirls.

Hudson seems to have this show business thing down - from flawless skin to smart fashion choices - and is quickly becoming Hollywood's go-to African American actress.

The singer and actress will be performing this July at the 2011 Essence Music Festival, along with Mary J. Blige and Kanye West.  

Posing Beauty features beautiful, thought-provoking African American iconography

In Posing Beauty: African American Images from the 1890s to the Present, author Deborah Willis compiles images of iconic black Americans like Josephine Baker and Michelle Obama, providing a photographic history of beauty, pride and power.

Featuring the work of more than 100 photographers, Willis presents a compilation of the vast array of beauty types in American culture - from the high school prom queen to modern pop stars.

The images she chose illustrate the different ethnic skin types, hair textures and figures that are included in the wide definition of what is beautiful.

In a New York Times review of the book, writer Jennifer Baszille said the collection subtly chronicles the struggles of and the progress made by African Americans.

"If a single thread unifies the images in this amazing collection, it is the subjects’ agency in the conception and presentation of their own beauty, which is itself a radical departure from the more familiar objectification of African-Americans in the nation’s collective visual memory," wrote Baszille.  

Iman presents beauty guide for women of all ethnicities

Since the 1970s, supermodel Iman has been looked up to as one of the most beautiful women in the world because of her willowy limbs and rich, even and glowing skin tone.

Now, she's presenting her secrets and tips for all women in her book The Beauty of Color: The Ultimate Beauty Guide for Women of Color.

In the book, Iman gives her personal instructions on how to achieve the perfect base for beauty: healthy skin. She goes on to share her techniques for makeup application and choosing different products for ethnic skin.

The guide also serves as an inspiration for African American, Latina, Asian, Middle Eastern, Indian and Native American women all over the world.

“The world’s most unforgettable beauties are often women who fall outside of the narrow definition of trying to conform to a ”type.” These women make a journey into discovering who they are and embrace the very traits that set them apart. Their beauty is a glorious reflection of being comfortable in their own skin," Salma Hayek wrote in the foreword.

Iman told style blog TheFashionSpot.com that her favorite skin care tips are to take care of skin early on - even for women in their 20s without wrinkles - and to always wear sunscreen.  

Jennifer Lopez and Rihanna to be among performers at Billboard Awards

On May 22, the Billboard Awards will honor the artists who have made the biggest impact on popular music over the past year, and Jennifer Lopez and Rihanna will be performing to give audiences a peek at their newest singles, Examiner.com reports.

The ceremony will take place in Las Vegas, the perfect setting for the two queens of dance music.

Rihanna recently released a remix of her song S&M with Britney Spears, and Lopez has been taking time out of her busy schedule to work on a new album titled Love? It is also rumored that the Black Eyed Peas will perform.

Barbados-born Rihanna and Puerto Rican Lopez will surely be fine-tuning their voices and brushing up on dance moves, but, luckily, both ethnic beauties already have glowing, stage-ready skin.

To achieve the stars' even skin tones, beauty products for black skin or Latino skin may be useful since they are specially designed to meet the unique needs of women of color.