Natural Push-Up      

How to give yourself a not-that-extreme makeover

Date: 24th February 2005, Source: Althealth News

So you want to look like The Swan but can't stand the sight of blood? There are ways to get around all that messiness. Rebecca Budig, host of WE: Women's Entertainment's Full Frontal Fashion (10 p.m. Fridays), along with experts who have appeared on past shows, give five:

1. Teeth brightening: ''For immediate results, we recommend laser whitening done in your dentist's office,'' Budig says, ''but that could cost up to $500.'' A cheaper alternative is picking up bleaching treatments like Crest Whitening Strips (two-week pack about $20 at drugstores) or GoSmile day and night toothpastes ($9.50 apiece at Nordstrom and gosmile.com). ''They really do work,'' Budig attests.

Then there's always hygiene. Didi Gluck, beauty director of Marie Claire, dished on how she keeps her chompers bright: ``Go for your twice-yearly cleanings, floss daily and brush at least two times a day.''

2. Breast enhancement: A dependable shortcut to a fuller bust is a push-up bra or bra inserts, which create ''incredible'' cleavage, Budig says. ''Look at Julia Roberts in Erin Brockovich,'' adds Kristin Perrotta, beauty director at Allure magazine. ``She went from having sort of like regular cleavage, like most of us, to having this va-va-va-voom action going on, and that was all because of a push-up bra.''

Bra technology has come a long way. Some top ones: Maidenform's One Fabulous Fit Demi Underwire Bra (department stores, $24), Wonderbra's Wonderboost (JCPenney, $28) or Victoria's Secret Very Sexy Seamless Push-up Bras (from $38 at VS stores or victoriasecret.com)

Really teensy? Budig reveals another secret weapon: bronzing powder. ``[A little] along your collarbone and down your cleavage line will give the illusion of larger breasts.''

3. Smoothing wrinkles: ''Topical creams with vitamin A, E, hyaluronic acid (HA) and other antioxidants plump the skin,'' Budig says. ''You should see instantaneous results.'' Also, start early. Begin using a facial moisturizer in your early 20s. Even if it's only a few times a week, ``it introduces your skin to ingredients that are going to exfoliate and gradually help the collagen production increase.''

Now out: pricey high-tech formulas with lots of buzz, but you can get similar ingredients -- and results -- from Walgreen shelves, e.g. Nivea Anti Wrinkle and Firming Creme, $8.99 and Dove Essential Nutrients Day Cream, $7.49.

Remember, though: No matter how much you spend on the latest miracle cures, ''beauty really does come from within, so treat your body right,'' Budig says. ''Take multivitamins, drink lots of water and get enough rest.'' Needless to say, keep well protected from the sun.

4. Perfect pout: Melanie G., Courtney L., Liz H. What do these three women have in common?

''We are a culture that seems to be obsessed with big lips,'' says Lori Bergamotto, beauty editor at Lucky magazine. ''Many celebrities turn to collagen injections, but if the needles and $700 [plus] price tag are too extreme, there are alternatives.'' Lip plumpers, available everywhere, work by swelling the lips temporarily.

''The best part about these products is that at the end of the day, you can take them off and you're back to normal.'' The simplest route toward fuller lips is probably already in your bag: lip gloss. ''It creates a shine which gives the illusion of fuller lips,'' Budig explains.

5. Hair rejuvenation: ''Thick, voluminous [locks] are every woman's dream and very in,'' says Marie Claire's Gluck. ''But unfortunately, we're not all born with Pantene girl hair.'' To give your hair more body, especially as it ages, Budig recommends volume-boosting shampoos or clinical treatment shampoos like Nioxin (at salons, from $12 at nioxin.com).

''For women with more serious systemic hair loss problems, the best thing is Rogaine,'' she adds. ``It's been shown to actually stimulate new growth.''

If all else fails, Budig has two words: hair extensions.