Miss Universe Contestant Claims "Sabotage" Led to Her Loss

By Erin Carlson



As anyone who's seen "Toddlers and Tiaras" can tell you, the hyper-competitive world of beauty pageants has seen its fair share of adversarial sabotage. But when a contestant claims her evening gown was laced with sharp-edged pins or pepper spray or lipstick stains, the alleged girl-on-girl crime makes headlines around the world.



The latest heir-to-the-beauty-crown to make such a claim is Miss Australia Jesinta Campbell, who says one of her 82 rivals at this year's Miss Universe pageant tampered with her festive national dress just before she took the stage in Las Vegas last month.



"There was a bit of sabotage backstage," she told Australia's Nova 91.9 radio station of her experience with the "national dress" she donned for the event. "When I went to put it on I found about six pins all pinned in the back of it, so when I put it on I scratched all the back of my back. I was like 'Ooh! What's that?'."



Good natured as ever (she did win the "Miss Congeniality" title, after all), Campbell didn't point any fingers at any specific competitors.



"I don't know who it was," she said in the radio interview when asked who she thought the pin-wielding perpetrator might be. "All of that stuff is backstage, so it could've been anyone."


Campbell placed third at the televised event, held in Las Vegas last month; the winner was Jimena Navarrete of Mexico, and Yendi Phillips of Jamaica came in second. Campbell's be-pinned dress -- intended to represent the land Down Under with an aboriginal-print swimsuit, ruffled flamenco skirt and Ugg boots -- was ridiculed as too costume-y and over-the-top; little did anyone know the pain the 18-year-old Aussie beauty queen felt underneath.


So, whodunit? No one has copped to the prank, but from the large pool of international competitor-suspects, Campbell singles out those from Mexico, the Phillipines, and Central and South America.



"Winning is so important for those girls because they become queens in their country and are worshipped if they win -- and it changes everything forever for them," she told the Herald Sun. "But there were 82 other girls there and I can't narrow it down, so it's a mystery to me."



She added: "But I know who didn't do it -- my best friends were the girls from Ireland, Belgium, Great Britain, and Guam and I know they wouldn't have done that to me."



Miss Universe representative Meagan McCutcheon did not immediately respond to Yahoo's requests for comment.



Campbell is not alone in her pageant problems. In recent years, other pageant frontrunners have been targeted by alleged saboteurs using equally dirty methods: instead of pins, Miss Puerto Rico 2007 claimed her dress and makeup were splattered with pepper spray in an act of chemical warfare. Backstage, winner Ingrid Marie Rivera had to tear off her clothes and rub ice on her face and body; on top of that, she claimed her clothes and credit cards were stolen.



Not surprisingly, Rivera's accusations fanned a media firestorm. After an investigation, police found no traces of pepper spray anywhere; still, Rivera clung to her belief that she'd been sabotaged by jealous and vengeful rivals. In Puerto Rico, she was the metaphorical Nancy Kerrigan with no Tonya Harding to pin the blame on.



That's the thing about beauty-pageant sabotage: perpetrators can go undetected. Even on a far smaller scale. At the Miss South Florida State Fair in 2008, Jessica Wittenbrink snagged the crown despite the lipstick smeared on her evening dress. They never caught the prankster.



"I was bound and determined that I was going to bring my best the night of the pageant," Wittenbrink told an ABC News affiliate, reflecting on her horror. "So no matter what happened, I wasn't going to let anyone take me away from that. As far as the event goes, I try to put it past me, move on, look at the horizon and see what's next for me."



While these acts of anti-congeniality result in trauma for contestants, the added attention from the media and support from fans must help in getting through the ordeals -- and raising their public profiles in the process.



Thanks to her disturbing experience, Campbell -- who's just begun a stint as an entertainment reporter for TV station in her native Australia -- is a now a boldfaced name in entertainment-news circles, and arguably more famous than she might have been had she won the crown.



(source: http://tv.yahoo.com/blog/miss-universe-contestant-claims-sabotage-led-to-her-loss--1521)

10 Most Popular Haircuts of All Time

It's no secret that many of us take our beauty cues from celebrities. Recently a poll from hair company Goody officially confirmed it by counting down the six most popular celeb-inspired hairstyles. We've added a few iconic styles of our own to make up the 10 best hairstyles of all time — some of which still work today.

Jennifer Aniston's "Rachel" Cut

Since Aniston debuted this style as the character Rachel on Friends in the '90s, more than 11 million woman have tried the cut. Fifteen years later it's still a frequent request, making the "Rachel" one of the most popular hairstyles of all time.

Meg Ryan's Shag

Ryan's made a career out of portraying the silly but sexy, quirky girl — a persona best embodied by this choppy, peppy shag. This look was first runner-up in Goody's poll.

Dannii Minogue's Sleek Bob

Minogue's flawless bob is both sophisticated and confident — the perfect complement for any edgy, no-nonsense woman.

Princess Diana's Royal Do

During her short, tragic life, Diana reached the pinnacle of elegance and carved out one of the most recognizable and coveted styles. According to the poll, her cut is still popular with women in all age groups.

Victoria Beckham's Posh Pageboy

When Victoria Beckham decided to shed her "Posh" skin, she took the shears to her locks and catapulted herself into icon status with this structured style. Her asymmetrical cut is another favorite with women in every demographic.

Farrah Fawcett's Feathered Flip

No one has ever done more for the "feathered" look. While the '70s and Fawcett are no longer with us, this vintage style is still a favorite with ladies everywhere.

Michelle Obama's Classic Cut

In 2007, Obama was an unknown political wife. Since ascending to the White House, she's handled the spotlight with confidence and grace, thanks in part to her elegance, character, and this timeless and flattering cut.

Marilyn Monroe's Blonde Curls

In the history of hair color there is no blonde more famous than Marilyn Monroe. She may not have invented this look, but she certainly owned it. If you've got the guts to go bottle blonde, this style still guarantees sex appeal.

Mia Farrow's Pixie Crop

In 1968, after Vidal Sassoon gave Mia Farrow this extreme haircut for the film Rosemary's Baby, thousands of woman ran to salons, eager to shed inches of hair, along with traditional standards of feminine beauty.

Blake Lively's Layered Locks

Poised to topple the popularity of the "Rachel," Blake Lively's long, blonde Gossip Girl tresses have become one of the most requested styles in salons across American — even prompting a New York Times article chronicling the craze.


(Source: http://www.marieclaire.com/hair-beauty/trends/articles/most-popular-hair?link=rel&dom=yah_life&src=syn&con=blog_marieclaire&mag=mar)

How to Age Like a Celebrity

Demi Moore
Age: 47
Clean House: The actress, who once admitted to using Austrian leeches to "detoxify" her blood (um, whaaat?), recently tried the Master Cleanse — a diet that includes drinking a maple syrup, lemon water, and cayenne pepper cocktail — with her husband, Ashton Kutcher, who is 15 years her junior. "This is for health," she says.
Her Beauty Secret: "I moisturize, moisturize, moisturize," says Moore. "No matter how late it is, when I get home, I take the time to clean and moisturize my face. I'm a big believer in that if you focus on good skin care, you really won't need a lot of makeup."







Nicole Kidman
Age: 43
On a Safe Skin Mission: The Australian actress, who once had skin cancer on her leg, has diligently kept her porcelain skin safe from sun damage. "It is the worst thing in terms of aging, so I wear a lot of sunscreen, and I never go in the sun," she reveals. So, how has she not gotten a gig playing a vampire yet?
Her Beauty Secret: When it comes to her long locks, Kidman prefers cleansing in her favorite drinks. "If you've got red hair, try washing it in cranberry juice," she says. "And, if you're blonde, a champagne rinse can work wonders."








Vanessa Williams
Age: 47
Just Dance: The former Ugly Betty star is a Pilates devotee and loves salsa dancing. "I started in '97 as training for a movie I did called Dance With Me," she says. "I go out and salsa with friends, especially in the summertime. Now that's incredible card!"
Her Beauty Secret: She admits to dabbling in Botox and schedules shots every three months. "I use it very sparingly," she says. "I want to look natural. I get it so I look serene." Yes, there's nothing so serene as a injecting diluted toxin into your forehead.









Jennifer Aniston
Age: 41
To the Mat: The former Friends star has been known to work out with her personal yoga trainer, Mandy Ingber, up to five times a week to stay fit. "Practice a little bit each day," she says.
Her Beauty Secret: Best known for having "The Rachel" haircut, Aniston defies age with her famous layered locks. Plus, those California sun-kissed highlights open up her eyes and lighten her whole look. To the same point, not changing your haircut since, say, 1994 doesn't hurt.










Mary-Louise Parker
Age: 45
Good Genes: "I quit smoking, and I don't drink very often," the Weeds actress says of ridding herself of past bad habits. "But my mother has great skin, she's never even had a facial, and she's 85." So, Mary-Loo, what constitutes drinking "often?"
Her Beauty Secret: She swears by anti-aging products, like the Regenerating Serum, from holistic skin care brand Dr. Hauschka. "They're natural, and I can use their stuff on my kids even," she says.










Salma Hayek
Age: 43
Color Therapy: The Mexican-born actress prefers to dress in shades that aren't too simple. "I identify with enigmatic colors," she says. "I don't want to be blue, I don't want to be green. I just want to be myself." Color us puzzled.
Her Beauty Secret: Hayek, whose grandmother was a cosmetologist, loves scented beauty products. "Make yourself smell nice," she advises. "I even wear perfume sometimes when I'm alone."











Brooke Shields
Age: 45
Prescribed Product: The model-turned-actress raves about her longer, thicker eyelashes, thanks to Latisse, a prescription treatment aimed at growing lashes (for which she's — coincidence! — the spokesperson). I was part of the trial because I was a bit skeptical," she admits, adding that she used to rely on falsies. "I get to live with them now!"
Her Beauty Secret: Her nightly ritual includes slathering on Creme de la Mer moisturizing cream, which costs $130 per ounce. "I like the thickness and richness of La Mer," she says. "And a small jar lasts at least a year."

Diane Lane

Age: 45
Being Flexible: The actress — who routinely arrives at events sans makeup (the horror!) — loves the stretching involved in yoga workouts. "I do it whenever I can," she says. "Flexibility is probably more important to me than strength or stamina. You also have to be flexible in your own life."
Her Beauty Secret: The star has undergone acupuncture facelifts, in which ultra-fine needles are inserted in the face to reduce sagging, make skin more resilient, and remove laugh lines. Yeah, we'd stop laughing too if we were forced to experience that.

Halle Berry
Age: 43
Morning Routine: The star uses triple fruit acid cleaners to exfoliate her skin and rubs pure Vitamin C on her face, all before moisturizing. Delicious.
Her Beauty Secret: Berry has one master facialist to thank for her flawless face. She gets $235 red carpet-ready facials — which she reveals is her "biggest beauty indulgence" — from Christopher Warren at Kinara Spa. "Looking good is about having a good base," she says. "It's about taking care of your skin."










Naomi Watts
Age: 41
Return to Nature: The Australian actress (she's BFF with Kidman — they roll in packs) tries to get out and relax. "I love being outside with trees and water, lying down somewhere or walking," she says. "I do transcendental meditation, which keeps me calm and steady."
Her Beauty Secret:: The zenned-out star drinks plenty of water and gets a facial every six to eight weeks. Otherwise, the natural blonde tries to stay ... natural. "My mom always said, 'Don't dye your hair. It's like getting tattoos — once you start, you won't stop,'" Watts confides. "She's right!"







(Source: http://www.marieclaire.com/hair-beauty/trends/celebrity-tips/celebrity-anti-aging-beauty-secrets?link=emb&dom=yah_life&src=syn&con=blog_marieclaire&mag=mar)

4 Ways to Take Years Off Your Eyes

by Marie Claire





When should you start using eye cream? Home to the thinnest skin on your body, the eye area starts to show signs of wear and tear by your 20s. Overtime in the office, that extra glass of wine, and even smiling all conspire to speed up the aging process. The eyes are also the first place people look on your face. But before you start avoiding everyone's gaze, try these eye-opening solutions.


1. COUNTING CROWS Wearing sunglasses prevents squinting, which causes crow's-feet, explains Dr. Robert Grant, plastic surgeon-in-chief at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center. Sunscreen will also help, but the reason that you suddenly start to see fine lines in your late 20s and early 30s happens under your skin. "Once your body starts to decrease the amount of sebum it produces, you need to moisturize to keep the outermost keratin layer — our natural sun protection factor — intact," explains Grant. "If you allow your skin to dry out, it will get more sun damage." But before you start slathering on heavy eye balms that can clog pores and cause bumps, first try a lightweight gel. If you already have noticeable crow's-feet, vitamin A-derived retinols can help smooth them out by boosting collagen production in the area. Grant likes over-the-counter retinols (in contrast to stronger, prescription retinoids) because they're less drying and easier to tolerate. And for those who are especially expressive, Botox can help soften your smile lines. A topical formula is currently in FDA trials for usage around the eyes, but approval is still years away.


2. BAGGAGE HANDLING The biggest reason for puffiness around the eyes is allergies, according to Cambridge, Massachusetts, dermatologist Dr. Ranella Hirsch. And rubbing will only thicken the skin and cause darkening, especially in pale complexions. "When you hear on the news that pollen counts are up, take an over-the-counter antihistamine for two or three weeks and you'll prevent most swelling," Hirsch says. For additional soothing, "de-puff with an eye roller. Keep it in the fridge, because the cooling effect really goes a long way." If you're past your early 30s and have tried the antiallergy approach without success, your heavy baggage could be caused by gravity, not the change in seasons. "When you're young, the fat below your eyes lives in a collagen baggie. But as you get older, the bag is weakened because you're not producing as much collagen and the fat herniates into a hound-dog look," says Hirsch, who recommends using an injectable filler (she prefers Restylane) to firm the skin and hold up the fat pad. "For less than $500, you can get real results that last 12 to 15 months. You don't need much product, and it can take years off of your face," she says. A less invasive alternative is using an eye cream with peptides. "Peptides are the building blocks of the skin's protein," explains Hirsch. Applying them topically gives skin the ingredients to rebuild and hold the fat pad in place.


3. BRIGHT IDEA There are typically two causes of dark circles: an actual darkening of the skin due to genetics and sun damage, or shadows created from sunken valleys above the cheekbones. For both problems, New York City dermatologist Dr. David Rosenberg recommends injecting fat or Restylane to plump the hollowness (cost: about $4,000 for potentially permanent fat and about $1,500 for Restylane, which lasts up to two years). And since the skin here is almost transparent, "fat bleaches out the area since it's pure white." Brightening formulas can also even the overall skin tone but must be combined with daily sunscreen use to prevent further darkening. Hirsch suggests layering antioxidant lycopene under sunscreen for extra protection.


4. TOP SHELF As collagen thins and skin loses elasticity, the upper eyelids can droop, creating what Rosenberg calls "hooding." While applying creams to the upper lids was once a no-no, new formulas specifically target this sagging area, tightening with caffeine or promoting collagen production with peptides. However, if you're prone to dry skin, Hirsch cautions against caffeine-based creams because they dehydrate in order to de-puff and firm. "You're good for two hours, but then you look like death," she says. If topical creams aren't enough for your tired-looking lids, Rosenberg suggests two surgical options: trimming away the excess skin at the lashline or an endoscopic brow-lift (cost: $2,000 to $7,000 for each procedure). With gravity's pull, eyebrows fall as we get older, and "as the brow gets lower, the more skin droops," Rosenberg says. Raising the brow with tiny hairline incisions lifts the upper eyelid skin, making eyes appear more open and youthful. "It's a 30-minute procedure, and the results last for a decade." Now that's foresight.

Hollywood's Highest Paid Actresses

by Dorothy Pomerantz

Life can be hard for actresses in Hollywood. Good roles are few and far between, and their paychecks are usually smaller than those of their male co-stars. It seems that no number of female-centric hits (like "Mamma Mia" and "Sex and the City") can convince studios to treat the ladies better.

And if you're a woman over 40, you might as well just play a grandma. The roles are even scarcer.

But last year Sandra Bullock bucked the trend in a big way. First her romantic comedy "The Proposal" grossed $320 million on an estimated budget of $40 million. That would be impressive enough, but then "The Blind Side" hit theaters five months later. Based on a true story about a white family that took in an African-American football prodigy, the film earned an amazing $310 million at the box office on an estimated budget of only $30 million.

Bullock cut her usual fee to star in the movie and reaped a large share of the film's profits in return. Between her earnings on "The Proposal" and "The Blind Side," Bullock earned $56 million between June 2009 and June 2010, tops among Hollywood's leading ladies. Add in a messy divorce that had her on the front of tabloids almost every week, the adoption of a baby that she will now raise on her own, and her first Oscar, and Bullock had one hell of a year.

To figure out actresses' earnings we talked to agents, managers, producers and lawyers to determine what the stars earned as upfront pay on movies they are currently shooting, as well as back-end pay earned after a movie hit theaters. We also looked at any money actresses might have earned from perfume and clothing lines and from ad campaigns.

Reese Witherspoon ranks second on out list of Hollywood's best-paid actresses with a take of $32 million over the past year. Witherspoon hasn't been seen on screen since 2008's "Four Christmases" (she lent her voice to the animated film "Monsters Vs. Aliens"). But she sits close to the top of our list this year thanks to upfront pay from two movies: "How Do You Know" from director James L. Brooks and the film adaptation of "Water for Elephants." Witherspoon also earns as an "ambassador" for Avon.

Cameron Diaz ties for second with $32 million. The actress is one of the highest paid in Hollywood for films like the recent "Knight & Day." She'll also be able to count "Shrek" money well into her retirement years. Those films have earned a total $2.8 billion at the global box office.

Jennifer Aniston ranks fourth with $27 million despite a few box-office duds like "Love Happens," which earned only $36 million at the global box office (though it did have a modest $20 million production budget). Aniston is still the go-to girl for romantic comedies. Her upcoming movies include "The Switch," a comedy about a woman who has a baby on her own, and "Just Go With It," co-starring Adam Sandler. Aniston also still gets money from "Friends" and recently launched her own perfume line.

In fifth place: Sarah Jessica Parker with $25 million. "Sex and the City" is the gift that keeps on giving for Parker. Not only does she earn from the show's syndication, but this year's sequel film, "Sex and the City 2," earned $280 million at the global box office. Her perfume line, which includes scents like NYC, Lovely, and Dawn, is also a big seller.

Source: http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/forbes-highest-paid-actresses-2010.html

8 Essential Foods for Beautiful Skin

Avocados are not just for eating! A good source of biotin, avocados help to prevent dry skin and brittle hair and nails. When applied topically, they can hydrate parched skin.

A tip from 1,801 Home Remedies:
Create a moisturizing mask. Pit the fruit, puree the pulp, and pat it on your face. The oil acts as an emollient. It also contains beneficial vitamin E.



Sip your way to healthy skin. Green tea's high on the list of skin-friendly beverages thanks to its impressive storehouse of polyphenols. Aim for four cups throughout your day.



Reach for tomatoes. A German study found that lycopene-rich tomato paste helped participants prevent sunburn when they combined it with olive oil, daily for ten weeks. Besides being a great source of the antioxidant lycopene, tomatoes are considered a high-carotenoid fruit. These nutrients may help slow down cellular damage from free radicals.



Slow down aging with salmon. Salmon contains astaxanthin, a carotenoid that improves skin elasticity, so you'll have fewer fine lines.



Crack open some eggs. Protein helps repair cells that have suffered free radical damage. Eggs, a complete source of protein, also contain biotin, an essential vitamin that protects against dry skin.



Put pomegranate on your list. When applied topically, this antioxidant-rich fruit may help skin create more collagen, while speeding healing.



Try walnuts. Looking to add Omega-3 fatty acids to your diet but not a fan of fish? Walnuts are a rich source of Omega-3s, which help put shine in your hair and aid in making skin smoother and younger looking.


Build better skin with beans. Another protein source, legumes help repair cells that have suffered free radical damage. During digestion, protein breaks down into amino acids, the building blocks of cells. Amino acids help to speed the repair and regeneration of skin cells and collagen.


Source: http://www.rd.com/living-healthy/8-essential-foods-for-beautiful-skin/article140991-2.html#slide

The Most Iconic Swimsuits Ever

posted by InStyle


The best bathing suits aren’t always practical—Raquel Welch’s prehistoric two-piece wouldn’t have lasted long in open waters—but they’re impossible to forget. With a little help from InStyle Fashion Director Hal Rubenstein, we've compiled a slideshow of the most iconic swimsuits ever.


Brigitte Bardot, The Girl In The Bikini, 1952 Four years before her performance in And God Created Woman established Brigitte Bardot as an international sex symbol, she was made a stir as The Girl in the Bikini. And it’s easy to see why: The pale two-piece she wore in the 1952 film was simple, yet sensational. Deborah Kerr, From Here to Eternity,1953 “I don’t think anyone knew I could act until I put on a bathing suit,” Deborah Kerr once said, referring to her star-making turn as an adulterous wife in 1953’s From Here To Eternity. But what a bathing suit it was! Sexy, yet structured, with a wide, waist-cinching belt, it was just the thing for a wave-splashed romp in the sand with co-star Burt Lancaster. Elizabeth Taylor, Suddenly, Last Summer, 1959 Yes, the plot was rather melodramatic. But the pure white tank that Elizabeth Taylor wore in 1959’s Suddenly, Last Summer—in which she played a mental patient disturbed after witnessing her cousin’s shocking death—was nothing short of perfection.
Ursula Andress, Dr. No,1962 The first-ever Bond girl, in 1962’s Dr. No, set the bar pretty high. (Indeed, this was Rubenstein’s pick for Most Iconic Suit.) “As Honey Rider,” he said, “Ursula Andress stepped out of the Caribbean and into the fantasies of every guy longing to be James Bond. The matching knife belt was a cute touch.”

Annette Funicello, Beach Party, 1963 Former Mouseketeer Annette Funicello was the original Disney star. And, just like Britney Spears and Miley Cyrus, she rebelled against her squeaky-clean image as she made the transition from girl to woman. Walt himself reportedly asked her not to wear navel-baring swimsuits when she signed on to shoot Beach Party in 1963. But Funicello, then twenty years old, nevertheless dared to don this (still pretty innocent) number.

Sally Field, Gidget,1965 Gidget, as played by Sally Field in the eponymous 1965 television series, was the ultimate California girl. A sturdy pink-and-white bikini suited the boy-crazy surfer perfectly as she went about on her Malibu misadventures.
Raquel Welch, One Million Years B.C.,1966 “If women in prehistoric times really looked and dressed like this,” Rubenstein said of the animal-skin two-piece Raquel Welch wore in 1966’s One Million Years B.C, “a lot more people today would be studying cave paintings. As fabulous as it is ludicrous, it may be film’s most famous bathing suit that never got wet.”

Pam Grier, Coffy,1973 In 1973’s Coffy, Pam Grier played a nurse-turned-vigilante (or, as the film’s poster would have it, a “one-chick hit squad”) but she looks pretty sweet in this super-'70s macramé triangle top.

Farrah Fawcett, 1976 To promote her instant celebrity in Charlie’s Angels, a Cleveland poster company arranged to shoot Fawcett in a bikini at her house in 1976. As Rubenstein explained, "She wasn’t comfortable so exposed, so she pulled this red one-piece from her closet. The company hated the pic, but Farrah had final approval (and retained photo rights). Smart girl: The poster sold over 12 million copies and is still for sale today."

Bo Derek, 10, 1979 “Her perfect score has never been beaten,” Rubenstein said of Bo Derek’s appearance in a nude maillot in the 1979 movie 10. “She may have been the best thing to happen to sales of the one-piece,” he added.

Phoebe Cates, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, 1982 In 1982’s Fast Times At Ridgemont High, Phoebe Cates plays a sophisticated teenager with, as Rubenstein said, “a skimpy bikini as red as her lipstick.” The scene in which she emerges in slow motion from a friend’s backyard pool is still a classic.


Carrie Fisher, Return of the Jedi, 1983 After being captured by Jabba the Hutt in 1983’s Return of the Jedi, Princess Leia was forced to wear this bikini Rubenstein described as “swirling gold and chain link bondage gear.” The over-the-top getup made actress Carrie Fisher a sex symbol, and copies of the so-called “slave girl costume” are still sold online today.


Pamela Anderson, Baywatch, 1995 As Rubenstein pointed out, Pamela Anderson wasn’t even in the original cast of the syndicated 90s series Baywatch. But she certainly looked good in her “sky-high-cut” red suit. “Who can imagine 'Babewatch' without her?” Rubenstein asked.

Salma Hayek Pinault, From Dusk Till Dawn, 1996 Salma Hayek Pinault played the evocatively named exotic dancer Satanico Pandemonium in 1996’s From Dusk Till Dawn, one of her first English-language films. And she looked damned good in her burgundy bikini—which she accessorized with a feathered headdress and a big yellow snake—even if she did turn out to be a bloodthirsty vampire.


Gwyneth Paltrow, The Talented Mr. Ripley, 1999 Everything Gwyneth Paltrow wore in 1999’s The Talented Mr. Ripley was divine; this colorful, fifties-style two piece is a particularly chic choice for tanning on the Italian coast with the young Jude Law.


Halle Berry, Die Another Day, 2002 For 2002’s Die Another Day, Oscar winner Halle Berry paid homage to the first Bond girl, Ursula Andress. She made her entrance in an unforgettable orange-red bikini, complete with a knife belt, "and killed," Rubenstein said, "both literally and figuratively."


Kate Bosworth, Blue Crush, 2002 Kate Bosworth was basically unknown when she was picked to star as the hard-core surfer girl at the center of 2002’s Blue Crush. Her mis-matched suit—like the muscular frame it displayed—was both sexy and functional.



Demi Moore, Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, 2003 Her role in Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, in which she played a devious ex-Angel, amounted to something of a comeback for Demi Moore. (She’d made only one film in the previous six years, and had been spending most of her time on her Idaho ranch.) But the then-41-year-old star proved she still had it when she appeared looking unbelievably toned—and improbably ageless—in this tiny, triangle-top bikini.



Angelina Jolie, Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life, 2003 She spent most of 2001’s Tomb Raider (and the 2003 follow-up, The Cradle of Life) in a black tank top and short shorts, but when Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft changed into this sexy two-piece, the fanboys in the theater fell even deeper in love.


Jessica Alba, Into The Blue, 2005 “Nobody remembers the film,” Rubenstein said of 2005’s Into the Blue. “It had something to do with sunken treasure, drugs, bad guys, and a water park called ‘Atlantis’.” But when this promo picture of Jessica Alba wearing an un-matched two-piece was released “plenty of people took notice. No doubt bikini separates gained in popularity."


Jessica Simpson, The Dukes of Hazzard, 2005 Jessica Simpson seemed an inspired choice to play the iconic country girl Daisy Duke in 2005’s big-screen version of The Dukes of Hazzard: She already had the accent, and she certainly filled out the namesake short-shorts. But it was this straight-from-the-set shot of the star in a skimpy string bikini that made the biggest impression on her fans.