ShareThisThe times, they are a-changing, and so, some women wish, would their appearance. A recent study (see note) showed that 89 percent of women want to change their appearance, but only 39 percent have ever even considered going under the knife to do it. If you're among the majority looking to shake things up in the looks department, there is temporary help aplenty.Mane Event: Let's blame it on the '90s-era Cindy Crawford, but almost half of all women want longer, thicker hair. Avoid salon extensions that can soar into the thousands of dollars and, instead, consider a clip-on, synthetic extension. Some think they sound horrible, but trust me: You can find a shade that matches your tresses and will add bounce to your step.Waist Whittle: No shocker here, but seven in 10 women wish their waists were smaller. Forget lipo and grab a super slimmer instead. They're available without your grandmother's hook closures, and some go all the way from your knees up to a bra top, creating one continuous, sleek line.Booty Boost: Packed in the back, junk in the trunk or whatever clever turn of phrase you use to describe a curvy derriere, getting one is as simple as putting on a pair of padded panties. Believe me, if the Stairmaster isn't working out for you, these do add a cute curve to your jeans.Smiling Eyes: Celebs have known for decades that the secret to looking awake and refreshed is longer lashes. For an eye-opening experience, try a pair of false lashes starting at around $2. Be slow and careful with the glue for safer, easier application.Increase Your Bust: Since the first ingenious woman saw a pile of tissues and thought: "These will be the bust I've always wanted," women have been on the hunt for bigger, better and more natural alternatives. Say hello to today's high-tech gel- and water-based bras. They've got a more natural shape and feel and are available for under $30.From the tippy-top of your crown all the way down to your legs, the body you want is just minutes away. No need for the scalpel. Try these quick tips, get out there and turn heads the way you've always dreamed.Note: The study was conducted by Shopzilla June 23-24, 2008, among 1,260 women respondents. The margin of error is 1.4 percent.(Helen Malani is the chief shopping expert for Shopzilla.com, a Scripps Networks Interactive company, and the largest comparison-shopping search engine on the Web. E-mail Helen at askhelen(at)shopzilla.com.)(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)
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Paying taxes unites us. It also divides us. People can pay five and even six times more in state and local taxes than other folks in similar circumstances making similar incomes.
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In one of the fastest-growing forms of identity theft, crooks are stealing tax refunds by swiping personal information and using it to trick the Internal Revenue Service.
