Celebrity BEAUTY SECRETS

C'mon, tell us: What's your best beauty secret? That's the question we asked six of the hottest celebrities in the country, all of whom know how to rock a look. (For proof, just check out these photos.)

Not the basic eat-right-and-get-plenty-of-exercise stuff, we told them. What we wanted was the lowdown on the tricks that keep them turning heads and camera-ready. We're talking step-by-step instructions. Diva-worthy details. The time-tested tips and techniques that get them glowing, gorgeous, glam to the max.

Considering they're the focus of flashing cameras wherever they go, we presumed two things. First, when it comes to their looks, these famous Sisters don't just rely on Mother Nature. The right makeup--from foundation to lipstick to blush--puts the polish and pizzazz in their camera-ready looks. And second, because professional makeup is an occupational hazard, they know a host of tricks to keep the skin healthy and glowing. We were right on both counts. On the following pages, they share the secrets of how they keep their skin beautiful once the makeup comes off.

HOLLY ROBINSON PEETE CO-STAR, For Your Love

"This is going to surprise you but, without a doubt, my very best beauty secret is thyme--fresh thyme. I feel so strongly about its beauty-enhancing qualities that I grow it in my garden. Once or twice a month, I boil this wonderful herb in water, put a towel over my head and steam my face with it. It's extremely cleansing and detoxifying, not to mention soothing and relaxing. If you don't grow thyme, not to worry. Just pick some up in the produce section of your local grocery store and start steaming today!"

MO'NIQUE CO-STAR, The Parkers

"My best beauty secrets are 1) pure and gentle facial soap, 2) cocoa butter and 3) water. I swear by all three. Every morning I cleanse my face with a clear, mild, glycerin-rich soap that doesn't contain any detergents, dyes or hardeners. Unlike harsh everyday bars, these soaps rinse off completely and don't leave any pore-clogging residue. After rinsing thoroughly with very cold water, I apply cocoa butter to moisturize the skin. And wherever I go during my day, I carry a bottle of water to make sure I drink at least a half a gallon a day."

ANANDA LEWIS VEEJAY, MTV

"My best beauty secret is olive oil. I love to use it in my hair as a moisturizing conditioner, then I mix it with scented oils to make a wonderful body moisturizer."

STAR JONES CO-HOST, The View

"I am comfortable in my own skin, and I don't have to lose weight to help other women feel comfortable in theirs," the glamorous former prosecutor has said. That comfort has not only put Jones on Hollywood's A-list, it's helping her to explode the myth that beauty is a one-size-fits-all concept--thin, blonde and White. So what's the best beauty secret of this plus-size Sister who is not only rewriting our definition of beauty but is well on her way to achieving her self-stated goal to "convince this country that beautiful women come in all sizes and colors?" Happily, it couldn't be more Staresque.

"My best beauty secret is my belief in self-care, both physical and mental," she says. "This year I will focus on Star Jones the person, not the professional. I will be working out four times a week, taking French classes and doing all things centered around self."

IYANLA VANZANT SPIRITUAL TEACHER

"My best beauty secret is honey. Once a week, after thoroughly cleansing my face, I apply it as a moisturizer, then give myself a steam facial. I also have a wonderful makeup secret. Before applying my foundation, I use either silk dust [very hard to find], baby powder or cornstarch to dust my face. This makes my foundation adhere better, absorb oil and last longer."

NICOLE ARI PARKER CO-STAR, Soul Food: The Series

"My best beauty secrets are moisture and meditation. I was never big on drinking water, let alone the recommended 6 to 8 glasses a day. In fact, before I started shooting Soul Food, I would go two or three days without drinking more than a glass a two. But the demands of a series--from the 14-hour days to the heavy makeup--took a serious toll on my skin, hair and body. I tried all kinds of expensive products--lotions, creams, oils--to rehydrate my skin but only one thing worked--water. Since I made a personal commitment to drinking water--a minimum of four, 16-ounce bottles a day, my whole physical being has changed. The dark circles under my eyes disappeared, my nails grew, my scalp is no longer dry, and I lost a pound or two!

For me, meditation is also an important beauty secret because you can't look good unless you feel good. Every day I make time to re-connect with the Divine Spirit, even if it's just for 15 minutes. Darrin Dewitt Henson (who co-stars as Lem on the show) and I have this joke. Now and then he'll say `Girl, you are looking good lately. What have you been doing?' Then we'll say together, `Meditating!'"

COPYRIGHT 2001 Johnson Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2001 Gale Group