The most unattractive thing about a smile is discolored teeth, according to a recent American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (www.aacd.com) poll. And Americans know it! Whitening procedures have increased more than 300% since 1996, according to the AACD.

Of course, daily home care and regular professional cleanings are the essentials for healthy teeth and gums. But did you know that by what you eat, you could remove the staining bacteria from your teeth? This can be accomplished by chewing certain foods that produce a lot of saliva -- apples, pears, celery, carrots, cauliflower, and cucumbers. Another benefit: The fiber in some of these foods physically works to clean teeth and remove bacteria.

More tips to keep teeth bright:

• Strawberries will naturally whiten your teeth.
• Lemons will lighten and brighten too (just as they naturally "bleach" your hair, they can do the same for your teeth)!
• Avoid drinking coffee, dark syrup sodas, red wine and blueberries. All stain teeth quickly.
• Drink from a straw whenever possible...allows food dyes to bypass teeth altogether.
• Baking soda will help remove stains and build up. Brush it on your teeth twice a month, just as you would toothpaste, and rinse.
• Raw veggies are not only healthy to eat, but they will clean your teeth and remove topical stains.

Organic makeup options have been around for years, but now there's a company offering natural, chemical-free cosmetics AND a striking color palette.

Afterglow Cosmetics is the brainchild of safe cosmetics advocate, Kristin Adams, who says, "Many organic and natural cosmetics still include paraben preservatives, which are known to play a role in the development of breast cancers. We believe women deserve to use amazing cosmetics without risking their health."

As a luxury mineral makeup line, Afterglow Cosmetics is rated the top makeup line for safety by the Environmental Working Group. Afterglow Cosmetics contain no parabens, petroleum derived ingredients or synthetic dyes. "The product is comprised of pure inert minerals which allow us to keep them preservative free," says Adams, which also makes it perfect for those with sensitive skin or those allergic to other makeup lines. Additionally, the minerals serve as a natural sunscreen, blocking both UVA and UVB rays.

But what really sets Afterglow Cosmetics apart from other natural makeup lines is their color selection. Afterglow kicks it up a notch by offering a vibrant color palette in 21 intensely pigmented eye shadow shades. Having sensitive skin herself and tired of wearing "crunchy" colors like taupe, Adams decided to launch her own full-line of natural mineral makeup. From delicate daytime iridescent pastels like "purr" to exotic shades like "detour" that can take you straight to the club, all have amazing staying power and a sexy shimmer thanks to ingredients that are naturally luminescent.

Summer means tans, and sunless tanning has meant choosing from tanning beds (expensive and potentially hazardous), airbrush tanning (expensive and not for the self-conscious), and tanning creams (notorious for streaking or turning skin orange).

A Florida-based company has come up with another option, a self-tanning system called Sunbrushed. According to company founder Brian Low, "The innovative Sunbrushed formula allows users to tan safely and quickly, without the high expenses of tanning beds or airbrushing. Using the micro-fiber cloth to apply the solution takes only six minutes, with results apparent immediately. Unlike other tanning methods that may be painful, embarrassing or costly, Sunbrushed is the perfect way to achieve a healthy, natural-looking glow year round."

The Sunbrushed product line is comprised of five individual product offerings, including the Tanning Kit, which contains formula for six full body tans, along with the micro-fiber application cloth; the Single-Application Travel Pack, including the micro-fiber cloth and gloves; the eight-pack Sunbrushed pre-tan exfoliant, to properly prepare skin prior to the use of Sunbrushed; the Tan Extender, to rehydrate skin, keeping it smooth while prolonging the life of your tan; and cosmetic quality sunscreens to provide protection against UVA & UVB rays. For more information, visit www.sunbrushed.com.

Kathy's Family's thick, rich, 100% natural Bodywash Gels are loaded with healthy organic ingredients and leave skin feeling silky and nourished.

Inspired by the honest integrity of their father's Minnesota prairie family that raised Kathy Swanson and her brother Dale after they lost their mother at an early age, each Kathy's Family product contains a highly concentrated blend of carefully selected botanicals, pure plant essential oils and extracts, clays, herbs, flowers, grains and honey. They also contain certified organic ingredients, are vegetarian, rich in antioxidants, minerals and vitamins, produced in small batches to ensure quality and freshness, biodegradable and packaged in reusable or recyclable containers.

To make the Bodywash Gels, Kathy's Family uses a hand blended aloe castile-style liquid soap base with a special extract of vegetable gums in glycerin, a natural alternative to the chemical-laden detergent formulas found in the mainstream marketplace today. Known for their mildness, castile soaps were developed 300 years ago in of Spain by master soap makers who brewed natural liquid soaps from a mixture of olive and coconut oils and herbs.

These exceptional ingredients and formulations are enhanced by a presentation that highlights a lifestyle and values that people can embrace. Kathy makes the passion for her heritage apparent by using labels filled with witty anecdotes and descriptions of real family members.

Like all of the other products in Kathy's Family's flagship line, "Good Honest Products and People," the Bodywash Gels are available in three simple, earthy and authentic aromatherapy essential oil blends. "Early to Rise" Citrus is an uplifting blend which invigorates, kills germs, smells good and is delightfully refreshing. "Back to Work" Eucalyptus is an invigorating, cooling blend - as fresh as a fresh snowfall in Minnesota according to Swanson. "Call It A Day" Lavender is a soothing blend which relieves muscular aches and pains, works to reduce inflammation and has antiseptic properties.

The Bodywash Gels come in three sizes, 8.5-ounce ($10.99) and 16-ounce $13.99) reusable containers and an earth-friendly 1 gallon refill size ($79). For more information, visit www.kathys-family.com.

This fall's runways were all about understated beauty. Models' faces were au naturel.

Lips were draped with gloss and lipstick in shades of rose and cinnamon. Minimal color with a touch of glamour in the form of bold brows. Now, even the thinnest of arches and overplucked brows can re-grow those hard to nourish follicles with Osmotics Nutrilash ($38) single-dose applicators.

Based on ground breaking research in wound healing, Nutrilash's proprietary mixture of vitamins, minerals and amino acids provides the essential nutrients for growing strong, healthy lashes and brows. This all-natural formula is ocular tested, completely safe, and non-irritating. Uniquely designed for the eye area, Nutrilash is packaged in easy to use, hygienic, single dose applicators. With all the versatility and convenience of using one product for both lashes and/brows, you can apply it for thicker, healthier, more beautiful lashes and over-plucked, thinning brows. Nutrilash also helps to condition those lashes dried out and stressed from daily mascara use. For more information, visit www.osmotics.com.