Do I even need to tell you about Proactiv?

You’ve seen the commercials.  You know that millions of people (both normal chickadees like us and celebs like Katy Perry, Julianne Hough, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Jessica Simpson) swear by it.  Considering that it’s so insanely popular, you’ve probably even used it yourself.

But if you haven’t tried it yet–or if you’re running low on your currently supply–here’s your chance: Proactiv is offering 3 kits to Jolie readers!

As you might know, the core of the line is a 3-step system (benzoyl-peroxide-based Renewing Cleanser, alcohol-free witch-hazel Revitalizing Toner, and benzoyl-peroxide Repairing Treatment), plus an Oil-Free Moisture with SPF 15 day treatment and Daily Oil Control balancer.  Because you’re throwing a lot of powerful ingredients at your skin, when starting any anti-acne regimen, go slowly, to ensure your skin can slowly adjust without molting.  (That shedding snake look?  Not so sexy.)

Still, Proactiv is pretty much the industry leader for a reason, so I’m excited that you guys can get a little free action for yourselves!  Enter on my Facebook page, by leaving a comment (about anything at all, really) under the post.  We’ll pick 3 winners next Monday August 9th.  Good luck!

B. Ingram for WireImage

“Imagine a world where every woman enjoys the simple luxury of feeling confident in her own beauty.”
(DoveMovement.com)

Dove is totally on my “I love you” list right now.  After sending me to the Glee live tour last week, they invited me last night to be their guest at The Gracie awards.

Named after the late comedic-actress (and George Burn’s wife) Gracie Allen, the Gracies are thrown by the Alliance for Women in Media, and are designed to honor programming “for women, by women and about women.”  The star wattage in the room was off the charts: Maria Shriver, Jessica Simpson, Amy Poehler, Rashida Jones, Peggy Lipton, Tyne Daly, AnnaLynne McCord, Suze Ormond, Jane Krakowski, Cat Deeley, Candy Spelling, Macy Gray, many of the presidents of the TV networks–and Penn Badgley from Gossip Girl, for a little eye candy.

Rashida Jones and Amy Poehler (B. Ingram for WireImage)

First I attended the cocktail hour, where I signed a pledge to help build positive self-esteem for the next generation. Then came the black-tie dinner portion of the evening.  Amazingly, I was seated at table 2, right in front of the stage, which meant I had a better seat than Maria, Amy, Rashida…basically everybody but Jessica Simpson, who was at the table next to me (table 1), and who was honored by the Dove 2010 Real Beauty Award for her VH1 show The Price of Beauty.

Perhaps I shouldn’t say this, but I will anyway: Jessica is no longer a skinny-minnie waif…however, she looked freaking fabulous.  It’s not often that you see an A-list celebrity with a body that’s real.  She’s totally sexy, but doesn’t look like she spends her days eating carrot sticks, doing cleanses, and then going to Bikram yoga.  Seeing her really spoke to me. I try to love and be kind to my body, but I’ll still glare at my tummy when that little jelly roll presses against the waistband of my jeans, or sigh at my arms while doing presses at the gym and think, “If only I could just get rid of this fat…!”

B. Ingram for WireImage

Anyhow, kudos to Jessica for walking the walk, embracing the real beauty message, and being a light in the world in her own way.  Kudos also to Maria Shriver, who presented the final award of the night, and not only had the thickest, healthiest hair I’ve ever seen (plus was rocking a super-cute Blair Waldorf-esque beaded headband!), but has clearly not had Botox or a facelift or any work done, and still looked gorgeous.  It’s been a very, very long time since I’ve seen a woman in Los Angeles aging completely naturally, and it’s nice to remember that path exists.  (And, I mean, she’s a Kennedy!  You don’t get more glamorous-yet-no-nonsense than that.)

Visit DoveMomement.com, where you can learn more about inspiring a young girl, building her self-esteem and helping to change her world.

What’s even more beautiful than a gorgeous gal with sleek hair, smokey eyes, gleaming teeth and perfect skin?  When said girl–Jessica Simpson–donates her time and energy to promoting a cause like Operation Smile.  Jessica has been involved for years as a Celebrity Ambassador, using her name and image to help bring attention to the charity: one form of fame-exploitation we can definitely get behind!

If you’re not familiar with Operation Smile, they’re an organization that gives free medical treatment to children all over the world born with cleft palates.  There is real, powerful truth behind the idea that nothing makes you look more beautiful than a smile–so an organization dedicated to repairing and celebrating smiles is so vital.

Read more about Operation Smile here.

Do you remember Jessica Simpson?  That delightfully-dizzy blonde who ruled MTV in an era long ago and far away?  (You know: before Twitter, the Jonas Brothers, Octomom and So You Think the Plus Eight Stars are Rock of Love in The Hills?)  There was a time when I was–yes, I think I’m brave enough to admit it now–obsessed with Jessica Simpson.  Sure, I poked fun at her.  I ruled the Nick and Jessica Breakup Watch (RIP!) with an iron fist. I rolled my eyes in annoyance at her twee observations.  But I loved her all the same.  Truly.  She felt like family–that sister or aunt who frustrates you to no end, but when your boyfriend makes fun of her, you snap.

Improbably, over the past 4 years, Jess has become the underdog.  I can’t put my finger on it, but there’s something simultaneously heartbreaking and inspirational to me about Jessica Simpson.  I root for her.  I wish her well.  I feel–in the lamest possibly way–that we will someday be friends.  Despite being beautiful and having an air of the Homecoming Queen, she’s at her best when she’s dorky, relatable, stripped bare.  Glamorous Jess?  No.  Jess being propelled through the water and faceplanting into a dolphin’s belly?  Mais, oui.

I suspect I’m probably alone in my bizarre Jess-cheerleading.  That’s okay.  I’m waiting for her Britney-style comeback (make it happen!) and look forward to the day when we’re downing margaritas on my deck together and I say, “So…I have a confession.  I used to keep this blog called Nick and Jessica Breakup Watch…”

Stranger things have happened, right?

Longtime Jolie readers will remember that I used to cover Jessica Simpson a lot back in the day.  I was hoping to let the nasty comments surrounding recent photos go unnoticed as not to add fuel to the fire, but I thought a statement Ashlee Simpson issued was worthy of reprinting.

“I am completely disgusted by the headlines concerning my sister’s weight.  A week after the inauguration and with such a feeling of hope in the air for our country, I find it completely embarrassing and belittling to all women to read about a woman’s weight or figure.  All women come in different shapes, sizes, and forms and just because you’re a celebrity, there shouldn’t be a different standard…How can we expect teenage girls to love and respect themselves in an environment where we criticize a size 2 figure?  Now can we focus on the things that really matter.”

Let’s be real here–Jessica Simpson is totally gorgeous, is working her butt off trying to establish a country career (which is more than you can say for the majority of coasting fame-wannabes in the industry) and her weight is nobody’s damn business.  To all the bloggers and media outlets gleefully raking Jessica over the coals and picking her apart: for shame.  It’s gross.

Should I really call it “Daily Links”?  Maybe “When I Feel Like It Links” would be more appropriate.

Vanity Fair’s Sun-Hee Grinnell meets Patrick Dempsey, swoons, and checks out his new Avon fragrance Unscripted. 

Speaking of that rerun Jessica Simpson Elle cover?  New York Magazine’s The Cut points out that some trigger-fingered photoshopper lobbed off her hips.

Were you a Pretty Girl in high school?  (I was firmly in the “Jesus, I’m so awkward” camp, but it’s all good now, I suppose.  Yay for late-blooming confidence!)

One of my favorite recent time sucks: Park Avenue Peerage.  Best consumed with G&T’s and a hearty helping of irony.