However, my newfound relationship with Lancôme’s Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate has changed my ways. Falling victim to great PR and advertising, I picked up a bottle on a whim. It works by “boosting the activity of genes and stimulating the production of youth proteins.” Who cares what the heck that means—it works!

My skin tends to be dry and flaky, so I’m all about brighteners. After just two days of using Genifique, my skin made major strides. I wear tinted moisturizer or a sheer foundation daily to even out and warm my skintone, and I’ve been skipping that all together. I apply the clear, smooth serum at night, and I wake up with the glowiest, dewiest skin of my adult life. My complexion is more uniform, youthful and fresh looking. It’s been a long time since I’ve found a product that truly makes a difference in my skin. It’s not drugstore cheap (the smallest bottle is $58), but it has proven to be worth every penny. Now, if only Lancôme would sell this in bulk. (posted by Cody)

P.S. This video was filmed just days before my little man Rex was born.

Kim Kardashian

Stars including Katy Perry, Giuliana Rancic and Victoria Justice are adorning their palms with this statement piece by Prive Jewellery (pictured above right), which is a cross between a bracelet cuff and a tiara. And even this past week, Nicole Scherzinger wore an eye-catching hand bracelet on “X Factor.” Would you wear this trend? We want to know. Vote below!  (posted by Cody)

• I’d wear it! This accessory makes a cool fashion statement. (43 votes)
• No way. Not feeling this trend. (16 votes)

Jessica’s announcement got me thinking about how far I’ve come as a mom. Like, I went from not knowing what a breast pump was to being able to put the parts together in the dark. And the full five minutes it once took me to change a diaper has been shaved down to seconds. In just two months, I’ve become fluent in baby from gadgets to products. I still have a lot to learn, and I’ve been greatful to all the moms who have shared their tips with me. Now, it’s my turn to pay it forward. I’ve listed a few of my favorite finds (more installments to come!). Hopefully these will come in just as handy for baby Simpson and all the future tots-to-be.

Baby Aquaphor: I oil Rex up from head to toe every night. I keep a tub by his changing table and a tube in my diaper bag. I swear by this ointment. It’s kept his pretty baby face acne free, has fended off diaper rash and stopped the first signs of cradle cap in its tracks.

Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Shampoo & Wash: After washing Rex’s hair and body with this, he smells just like a baby should — fresh, clean and yummy all at once. I’ve been sent a lot of baby bath products from a bunch of different companies and will report back on the others as I give them a try.

Kicky Pants, Ralph Lauren and Splendid onesies: A onesie is the baby equivalent of a dress. Just slip it on and the look is complete. From preppy to hipster, I love dressing Rex up in stylish looks, and I’ve fallen in love with the fashions from these three brands. Kicky Pants onesies come in fun prints and are made with a bamboo fabric that’s so soft, I wish they made clothes for adults. Rex may as well be a model for Ralph Lauren because every other thing he wears is RL baby. From the most precious white nighty (shown below) to a velour jumper, there’s a wealth of adorable options, especially for boys. Splendid wins for creating mini versions of fashions that you’d wear yourself. Like the brand’s adult line, the clothes are comfy and cute. Check out Rex in the lower photo with his teddy. He’s rocking a Splendid hooded onesie.

Giant Teddy: This is the granddaddy of all gifts. Our friend Brad went above and beyond to welcome home Master Rex with this GIANT, loveable, squeezable teddy bear is. I pose Rex next to his forever friend for all of his milestone photos (see below!) and know that he’ll love this bear more and more as he grows.

Marc Jacobs Pretty Nylon Elizababy Bag: A happy mom means a happy baby, and every time I carry this bag, which is 24/7, it makes me happy. To me, a diaper bag was an excuse to get an awesome new accessory, so I was on the hunt for a tote that was as practical as it was fashionable. I fell in love with this one from Marc Jacobs. It’s lightweight, has all the compartments I need and is roomy. Plus, my husband is as into this badass navy and rust panther pattern as I am, which means he’s just as happy to have it on his shoulder. I was so excited when it arrived, just days before Rex did, that I snapped a photo of me trying it on for the first time.

The Brazilian Blowout was all the rage last year. It became known as the professional frizz-eliminating treatment that was gentler and safer than its predecessor — Japanese straightening. But true to theory, as one of the good things in life, the Brazilian Blowout is now apparently carcinogenic as it contains formaldehyde.

Thankfully, there’s a new pro treatment that’s quicker and safer. The Keratin Complex Express Blow Out is a one-hour, in-salon process that infuses keratin proteins into the cuticle to make strands smoother and less frizzy. The main difference between this treatment and the Brazilian Blowout, aside from the fact that the formula really is supposed to be formaldehyde free, is that it smoothes and de-frizzes but doesn’t straighten and flatten the hair.

Nicole enlisted me to try out the Keratin Complex Express Blow Out at Chicago’s Studio 110 salon to see if it really works.

Full disclosure: I have relatively straight hair with a little bit of bend. But I also have a lot of breakage, which creates a lot of flyaways, so I was excited for this service. First, my hair was shampooed, conditioned, and given a quick tousle with a hair dryer. Then, the keratin solution was applied to my hair in small sections using a brush like the one used to apply hair dye. Next, the stylist went back over my strands with a fine-toothed comb and a flat iron to help the keratin fully penetrate my strands. When I left the salon, my hair looked shiny/slightly greasy and stick straight/flat (see the above pic). I was told to keep it dry and elastic free for 8 hours—not 3 days like other keratin treatments out there. Whew!

After my first wash, I air-dried my hair and was thrilled with the result — there weren’t any frizzies in sight. My hair still had its natural shape and curvature, minus the straggly, frizzy flyaways. Talk about a miracle! The Express Blow Out lasts about 5-6 weeks and is a fraction of the cost (about $100) of the full-fledged Natural Keratin Smoothing Treatment that lasts up to 5 months.

My verdict: The Keratin Complex Express Blow Out is great way to give conditioning treatments a try without the commitment. And it’s not immoral, illegal, fattening or carcinogenic.

It’s got the original ten lip colors that launched the brand as well as ten just-been-born shades so the options are endless: the new hues are bright, fun and meant to be mixed and matched with the everyday classics. From oranges and reds, to pinks and purples, to browns and neutrals, it’s all there. I’m no mathematician, but I’m thinking you can make at least a zillion and two color concoctions out of that. It even houses a lip brush and a large mirror.

The original shattering nail polish has gone pink! OPI has introduced Pink Shatter: Pink of Hearts Nail Lacquer, $8.50. Proceeds support Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

A personal favorite for putting broken blood vessels to rest: Darphin Redness Relief Soothing Serum, $85. For each serum purchased, $15 will go toward the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Stila Positive and Pretty Palette, $14. It’s a limited-edition palette with four eye shadows, cheek color and a highlighter. Way to save a pretty penny! A total of 10% of proceeds will go to a variety of BCA charities, including the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

There’s nothing more comfy-cozy-yummy than Alternative Apparel. The clothing line has partnered with all Urban Outfitters stores and Susan G. Komen for the Cure to introduce the Pink Ribbon Collection, which features the brand’s best-selling tees, tanks, dresses and hoodies all in pink. Urban Outfitters stores and the Alternative Apparel website will sell the line through the remainder of 2011. Urban Outifitters has already made a $60,000 donation to Komen and Alternative will donate 10% of the retail price from online sales to Komen.

A few months ago, we decked out our pouts with Violent Lips temporary lip tattoos. Now you can mouth off wearing The Pink Ribbon Collection. A set of three tattoos is $9.99 and $2 from every sale will be donated to the National Breast Cancer Coalition.

Charles Albert Pink Jasper Ring, $170. The jewelry designer will be donating 25% of sales of the ring to Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization

Pureology hair products rarely go on sale so here’s one deal to take advantage of. In support of breast cancer awareness, you can get a set of PureVolume Shampoo and PureVolume HairCondition for $39. Even better, Pureology will make a $20,000 donation to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Estee Lauder is always thinkin’ pink. The Limited Edition Evelyn Lauder Pink Ribbon Collection, $24, is a chic lipstick/clutch combo. They will donate 20% of the suggested retail price to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.