When this month's Marie Claire magazine was delivered, I immediately noticed a cover story that I wanted to read right away. It said, "New Country, New Job: I became a geisha".

Flipping to the story, I saw a picture of a beautiful Australian woman with red hair in her kimono sitting on train with men and women from Japan. An obvious outsider. Her name is Fiona Graham, but she goes by her Geisha name, Sayuki, which means transparent happiness. She made her formal debut as a Geisha in 2007.

The article is an interesting look at the Geisha lifestyle and what it took for Graham to become a part of it. Graham initially started the training to become a Geisha as a project to make a documentary about the life of a Geisha. She wanted to set the facts straight after the book "Memoirs of a Geisha" was released. But Sayuki's plans now? To continue the life as a Geisha indefinitely.

Geisha's are obviously known for their beauty and femininity, yet so little is known about what it is like to be a Geisha. The story is so intriguing that I think Graham should write a book on her experience.

Definitely pick up the December 2009 issue of Marie Claire to read the story, and if you'd like, you can visit Sayuki's website to learn more about her.

Doctors Katie Rodan and Kathy Fields, dermatologists and creators of Proactiv and Rodan + Fields skin care lines, have just released their second book, Write Your Skin a Prescription for Change. This book in an in depth manual for your skin. It includes probably every question you might have about your skin, including basics and moving all the way up to invasive procedures. Plus you'll read real commentary from the doctors as they share tips, advice and insider knowledge.

I had a chance to review this book and have nothing but positive things to say about it. Check out my review to see some of the topics addressed in the book as well as some tips and advice from the doctors themselves.

This book would be perfect for just about any woman this holiday season! Even people who think they know everything there is to know about skin care will learn a few valuable lessons from this book.

Image provided by Pair 'O Docs Publishing

Whether you try to live a life as "green" as possible, or you're as "green" as you can be, as long as it's easy, we've got some tips for you. Because when it comes to your beauty routine, it really is easy to be "green".

If you're house is anything like my house, I have a ton of lotion, shower gel and makeup containers that will one day soon be empty. But if I take the time and think about my future purchases, I know I'll make a more eco-friendly decision.

Check out the 8 Tips for a Green Beauty Routine that we have for you and then see what our readers submitted for green beauty tips. If you're idea didn't make it on my list, please, submit it yourself and share with others.

Halloween is tomorrow, are you ready? Do you have a stellar costume, or are you completely lacking in good ideas. I always fall into the 2nd category.

If you're like me, don't worry! We've got loads of great ideas for you. Here are some great ideas from a few of our About.com Guides.

• Julyne Derrick, About.com's Beauty Guide has an amazing selection of costume ideas and instructions, more costume ideas and instructions and loads of creepy halloween hair.
• Rain Blanken, About.com's DIY Fashion Guide shows us that all vampire costumes are not created equal. Figure out what kind of vampire you want to be and let her teach you how to transform yourself into it.
• Faith Lawless, About.com's Makeup Guide helps turn you into a hot vampire.
• Ashley Kane, About.com's Vintage Clothing Guide helps you head to the thrift store and come out with the perfect costume.

See, we have no excuses! Get yourself a costume idea and have a fabulous Halloween!

If you have oily skin, using a face mask is one of the best ways to draw out excess oil and reduce your acne. Masks are easy to use. In fact, they really don't take any thought or effort on your part. You simply apply it to your skin and let it do its job while you sit back and relax. Plus, only needing to use your mask once or twice a week really makes it easy to treat your skin to the skin-purifying benefits of a mask.

We made a list of 12 Face Masks for Oily Skin that get great reviews by users who are seeing vast improvement in their oily or acne-prone skin. Some of these masks are best saved for evening or weekend mornings due to their long sit time, but others work their magic in 5 minutes or less, making them great for any day.

If you have oily or acne-prone skin, definitely get yourself a face mask made especially for oily skin and watch your skin gradually improve. You'll love the results.

Image provided by Apothica

I've been using Depth hand soap at my kitchen sink for the past month or so. Seeing I wash my hands what seems like a hundred times a day, I can say with certainty that I've had the full chance to get to know Depth's hand soap and just can't say enough about it. It lathers great, is hydrating and smells amazing. (I'm using Bay Coconut.) It's available exclusively at Whole Foods at a super budget-friendly price under $10.

I've also been experimenting with eye creams that are specifically meant to diminish puffy dark circles under the eyes. My search brought me to drugstore products, specifically Biore's Enliven Cooling Eye Gel. It's also at a budget-friendly price under $10, but completely unimpressed me.

Sure, the gel felt nice and cool on my tired eyes, and it did soak in fast, but that's where my compliments end. I didn't notice any reduction of dark circles, very minor change in the puffiness, and my least favorite part of the eye gel is the shimmer it has. Sure, it may brighten your eyes with the help of the light reflecting particles, but what happens when you apply your concealer and foundation over the top? You lose all of the help the particles were giving in the first place.

If you have used either of these two products and agree or disagree with my thoughts, let me know! Also, if you have a product you love (or hate) share with us in the comments!

Image provided by Depth

Do you look at your eyes and wish they had a little more lift to them? There is one easy way to get an instant eye lift - shape your brows! Just by reducing the hair, accenting the natural arch (or adding an arch for those unlucky people like me who don't have a natural arch) will make you look years younger.

I've been dying to get my brows threaded for years, but much to my avail, I wasn't able to find someone local who does this technique until last weekend, when I got my brows threaded for the first time. I am hooked! I was in and out in 15 minutes flat only having to shell out half of what I pay for a wax. Plus, the arch she created was by far better than I've ever gotten by waxing.

If you're new to threading, Naomi Torres, About.com's Guide to Hair Removal, has loads of info on the process, as well as the other forms of hair removal with a threading specialist in your town.

My advice for you on this Monday morning, grab your phone book and book an appointment.

I'm quite certain that all of us have been touched in one way or another by breast cancer. Here's a fun way to support the cause, leave your mark and possibly win a fabulous prize.

In the last 7 years, Philosophy has donated over a million dollars to the Women's Cancer Research Foundation. When you purchase one of Philosophy's 3-in-1 Shower for the Cure bottles, 100% of the proceeds go to the WCRF.

Philosophy is also raising awareness to breast cancer by holding an "unforgettable" contest. Read the descriptions others have left about their "unforgettable woman" and then, add your own line to their poem. One quote may be featured on a future bottle, and 15 people will will a $275 gift pack from Philosophy.

Back in May, I asked you all if you had heard of Fit Flops to get the opinions of those who own the shoes. I didn't for a second think that they would tone and shape my thighs, despite what I heard the Bath and Body Works employee saying, but they intrigued me. Enough to pay the $50? Not quite, but close.

I checked out the knock off brand, Therashoe, at Sears and didn't buy them. I could barely get my foot into them, actually. (What can I say? I'm cheap! But I've come to read they don't get nearly the reviews as Fit Flops.)

So I just wanted to revisit the Fit Flop discussion in case you were looking for reviews or you wanted to share your own review. No matter what I thought, it does appear that these shoes are pretty good. Good for toning and trimming down? No way. But judging by what these reviews say, I think I'll be watching for a sale.

The Body Shop collaborated with fragrance-guru Dominique Ropion to create a new scent - Love Etc... and today they launch this new scent. Ropion is the brains behind widely popular scents from Cacharel, Givenchy and Calvin Klein including Armani Code, Lovely, Dune, Euphoria and Amarige.

The scent is described as a mix of jasmine, vanilla, sandalwood and musk cream. I haven't smelled it yet, but what do you think about that combo? I'm not so certain yet. I'll hold off on opinions until I smell it.

If anyone hits the mall today, stop in, check it out and then come back to let us know what you think.