Blog Posts by Jennifer Romolini, Shine editor in chief

New pictures of Angelina Jolie as a teenage model have emerged in the past couple of days, and, really, they're only interesting for three reasons: 1. AJ was kind of a cheesy/boring model. 2. She basically has not aged at all in the past 16 or so years. 3. Unless, in some freak reverse-growth scenario her nose became smaller and less bulbous on its own, it looks like she had rhinoplasty, and, honestly, her new nose is way better.

Source: Cult Indie, Perez Hilton

Read More »from New Angelina Jolie pics! Here, she's a young model with possibly a different nose

I grew up with a young, beautiful, stick-skinny mom. She never really worked out (until later), she ate (mostly) whatever she wanted, and she always stayed the same: Hot. Though I was proud of how pretty she was, her model slimness was mostly a non-issue for the first 13 years of my life. However, once I reached puberty and my Italian hips spread, my butt filled out, and it became clear that my mother's effortless thinness would never be a reality for me, I became resentful, sad, and melodramatic about it all. I may have cried, flung myself on beds, and punched pillows. You know, the way teenagers are.

In the subsequent two decades, I've worked through most of those wretch-y adolescent insecurities and I learned to love my feminine, medium-sized body for what it is. In my best moments, I can even feel quite blessed and grateful for what I have. I eat well, I exercise regularly, and I do my best to take care of myself. I like it that I can fill out clothes and I think having curves is

Read More »from Are we always (secretly) jealous of our skinny friends?

Perhaps you've noticed, but we here at Shine Fashion and Beauty are a bit obsessed with Michelle Obama. In the 100 days since her husband took office, we've critiqued her magazine covers (both the good and the very bad), speculated about what she'd wear to the inauguration, and then, when the day finally arrived, we blogged about it straight for 12 hours. We've pondered her relationship with her arms and with black designers, scrutinized her European fashion extravaganza, and even once wrote about her rear (though we don't think we'd do that again. Sigh).

It turns out we're not at all alone in our obsession: Michelle Obama is enjoying the highest approval ratings of any incoming first lady since 1980. Though many people have complained that she has yet to flex her substantial intellectual muscles, I'd say it's been comforting to see Mrs. Obama as the first mom-planting gardens, playing with her kids, walking the first dog, always looking hopeful, optimistic, and like she's having

Read More »from Michelle Obama: The first 100 days of mighty fine fashion (well, maybe more like 90...)

Photo: New York MagazineA few months ago, famously tiny model Kate Moss claimed that, for the first time in her life, she now had to wear a bra and that this was due to her recent, substantial weight gain. Those in fashion circles started calling Moss "curvy" and stylish folks all over the world ushered in a new era of shapeliness, ignited by one of this generation's finest trend setters.

This all seemed well and good. Moss did look a smidge fuller and that fullness appeared healthy and pretty and soft and natural and sexy and everything that's, frankly, nice about a woman's body. But that was until yesterday, when a British paper changed the term "curvy" to "fat" and claimed that fat is now trendy. That's when things got ridiculous.

In Sunday's Times of London, style commentator Giles Hattersley stated that seven different people (ohmyGA!) have recently told him that Kate Moss is fat and, therefore, "'fat' is no longer the ultimate fashion insult." He goes on to cite recent research that suggests that in

Read More »from Kate Moss is now "fat" and that is now in style (grrrrrrr.)

What is going on, people?

Susan Boyle, the Scottish singer who as recently as last week told news outlets,"I wouldn't want to change myself too much because that would really make things a bit false. I want to receive people as the real me, a real person," has gone and gotten herself made-over.

The 47-year-old was photographed this morning outside of her Scotland home with a new haircut and hair color while wearing sleek trousers and a pricey Burberry designer scarf. This is only the third step in a week-long transformation that has included both stylish new clothes and serious eyebrow grooming.

According to the British Daily Mail, producers at "Britain's Got Talent" are "frantic" over the changes-they'd hoped Boyle would keep her undone look for the show's finale since viewers seemed to be responding to her persona as dowdy, authentic, yet supremely talented woman.

Is Boyle spoiling her chance at success by getting glammed up? Do you like her new look?
Source: NY Daily News

Read More »from Susan Boyle Style Watch: OK. Now, this really is a makeover...

The international obsession with every Susan Boyle style choice continues! It's like she's Michelle Obama! Today, the world refuses to stop talking about the tufts of hair above the singer's eyes!

Seriously, folks, it looks as if Susan Boyle has taken the advice of stylists and went ahead and plucked her eyebrows. Or had them professionally shaped like any self-respecting fancy person would've done. Take a look at the pictures at left...she now has pretty little arches. What does this mean? Really, probably nothing at all, but, because this whole situation has gotten way out of hand, some commentators are accusing the singer of being inauthentic.
Do you care at all about Susan Boyle's eyebrows?

Earlier: Wait. Did Susan Boyle kind of get a makeover?

Read More »from Susan Boyle style watch: Her eyebrows=PLUCKED!

Markoff with a friend. Photo: NY Daily NewsAs if living a double life as a clean-cut Boston medical student by day and monstrous prostitute-predator by night was not bad enough, in past few days, increasingly creepy details have emerged in the case of Philip Markoff, the accused "Craigslist killer" who allegedly stalked women on the popular classified-ad site. During a search of Markoff's home, authorities found a handgun in a hollowed-out copy of Gray's Anatomy of the Human Body, panties taken from the victims (disgusting), duct tape, restraints, and ammunition. They are testing the gun to see if it was used to fatally shoot masseuse Julissa Brisman on April 14. A Google search of Markoff's phone number brought up a Craigslist post advertising "Ebony Erotic Masseuse"-the ad said "taking my last appointment" and told customers to call Markoff's number.

It's always unnerving and repulsive when we hear about stories like this one, about men who prey on vulnerable women and do repugnant, batsh*t-crazy things like collecting

Read More »from American Psycho: The accused Craigslist Killer might be just the latest in a long line of handsome, clean-cut murderers

Seriously, this ad for the German shopping website, jungstil.de, actually makes me feel terrified and a little nauseous. (Ear biting? OUCH. YUCK.) The moral of the story: No one needs clothes this badly, especially not a tank that's kind of fugs and weirdly skimpy and looks impossible to wear with a bra.
Source: Copyranter