By Danika Fears and Rachel Elbaum, TODAY contributors
Beauty fiends often go to extraordinary lengths to look younger, hipper and more attractive. And sometimes these trendy treatments and products crossover from cool to downright kooky. We've rounded up some of the most unusual looks that popped up on runways, streets and even beaches over the past year.
Going grey
Every kid wants to look older, but now it seems that adults are getting in on the trend as well. E! Fashion Police host and reality-TV star Kelly Osbourne and socialite Daphne Guinness are just two celebs who have recently sported grey locks. Other fashionistas have taken to highlighting sections of their hair grey for a subtle but bold splash of silver.
The ultimate cover-up
Light skin is treasured in China, and sun masks dubbed Facekinis are taking skin protection at the beach to new heights. The masks come in an array of colors and have proved extremely popular on the Internet, with some sites selling hundreds within a month, according to news reports.
Pucker up
If crazy lipstick colors aren't enough for you, check out temporary lip tattoos by Violent Lips, which even Kim Kardashian modeled for her Twitter followers. The stickers come in a range of designs, from herringbone to daisies and even the American flag, and last from 4 to 6 hours.
DNA skin creams
Those in search of a truly custom skincare regimen can find just that with new DNA technology that matches products to individual genetic profiles. Could it be the future of skincare — or just another silly skin fad? While the FDA has not approved any devices for this kind of DNA testing and dermatologists remain skeptical, some devotees are shelling out hundreds of dollars for the treatments and swear by the results.
Dramatic lips
It was a big year for the color grey. Steely hues for lips were once reserved for the runway, but a couple of major makeup companies released limited edition grey lipsticks in 2012, and they quickly developed a following. But is the color too bold for the everyday woman? If you prefer grey on your lids rather than your lips, you can always experiment with Bobbi Brown’s “Fifty Shades of Grey”-inspired collection that includes a number of smoky, metallic eye shadows.
Coca-Cola's 'beauty drinks'
Talk about beauty in a bottle. In October, Coca-Cola announced a partnership with pharmaceutical company Sanofi to launch a line of "beauty drinks" that will hit select pharmacies in France. A paper from Sanofi on the drinks claimed they will "help strengthen hair and nails, embellish skin, lose weight and improve vitality." The beauty elixirs will be made with mineral water, fruit juice and nutrition additives.
Bold brows
Strong brows made a comeback this year, popping up on famous faces walking the catwalk and the red carpet. Chanel’s Fall/Winter 2012 show in Paris even featured crystal-encrusted brows in bright colors. While you might not be donning crystal brows anytime soon, you can get the look by sporting bigger, more natural brows that are easier to maintain and work well with pale makeup hues. Makeup artists say your face will even look younger, especially when your brows are in proportion to your face.
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