ABC News - Cate Blanchett is used to costumes bordering on disguise on the big screen layers of thick white makeup for her star turn in the "Elizabeth" movies, or a wig and leather jacket for her portrayal of a young Bob Dylan in the upcoming "I'm Not There."

But it's still surprising to picture her serving breakfast at home wearing an actual mask. Donning a white cotton, full-face moisturizing cover akin to a soft hockey mask is part of her skin care ritual, says Blanchett, who has been hired as the U.S. face of SK-II, a high-end skin care line from Procter &

AHN - USA - Starting this September former "Saturday Night Live" cast member Molly Shannon will be this year's spokesperson for Life Insurance Awareness Month, an industry wide campaign coordinated by the nonprofit LIFE Foundation.

Shannon plans on sharing her story about when at the age of four, she was in a car accident that took the lives of her 33-year-old mother, her cousin and younger sister and badly injured her father who could not work for several years. Today Shannon believes life insurance is a necessity for people to help alleviate the financial struggles that can face families in times of tragedy.

Quoted in a

Digital Spy - UK - Reese Witherspoon has become the unlikely face of cosmetics brand Avon.

The Oscar-winning actress is the company's first "global ambassador" and one of its first big celebrity signings.

She said she was impressed by its reliable image and policy of using members of the public to sell to friends, families and neighbours.

She commented: "I feel like Avon is amazing to create these opportunities for women to create incomes for their families.

U.S. News & World Report - Washington, DC, USA - Backstage at Lincoln Center, stagehand Adam Lewis was multitasking. Fiddling with a soundboard, he was also trying to snag autographs from his new favorite food celebrities, waiting to be honored at the 20th anniversary James Beard Foundation Awards ceremony. "This is going right up there next to Beyoncé and Metallica," said Lewis, clutching his official program, covered with signatures from chefs like Bobby Flay of the Food Network's Boy Meets Grill. "These people are on the money."

With the help of that cable network and other cooking shows like Bravo's reality show Top Chef, chefs are emerging from behind the kitchen

United Press International - USA - Oscar-winning actress Reese Witherspoon is an Avon Lady, becoming the company's first Global Ambassador, Avon Products announced at its New York headquarters.

In the newly established role, Witherspoon will be the honorary chairwoman of the Avon Foundation, which focuses on breast cancer, domestic violence and emergency relief initiatives, the company said Wednesday in a news release.

Witherspoon will serve as the spokeswoman for Avon's beauty brands as well as be involved in product development and be featured in Avon advertising, Web sites and marketing collateral.

DailyIndia.com - Jacksonville, FL, USA - Actress Reese Witherspoon has been named as beauty giant Avon's first ever Global Ambassador.

The 31-year-old will be the Honorary Chairman of Avon Foundation, a charity focusing on breast cancer, domestic violence and emergency relief initiatives.

Avon Chairman and CEO Andrea Jung revealed that the company was thrilled to sign the Oscar winning actress.

PR Newswire (press release) - New York, NY, USA - Two-time Academy Award-winner Hilary Swank announced today that she has committed to grow, cut and share her long hair with Pantene Beautiful Lengths. This incredibly personal donation will be part of a year-long association between leading actress Swank and Pantene's unique charitable campaign. In her new role, Swank will star in a Pantene Beautiful Lengths print public service announcement (PSA) and encourage people across the US and Canada to follow her example.

Pantene is a brand that knows the importance of healthy, beautiful hair, and the impact that it has on a women's sense of self. That's why,one year ago, Pantene

Seattle Post Intelligencer - USA - A microbrewery in Pawnee City, Neb., has launched a beer for one of America's most recognizable rednecks: Larry the Cable Guy.

Git-R-Done beer, named for the comedian's famous catchphrase, was launched Saturday by SchillingBridge Winery & MicroBrewery, in the town where the 44-year-old actor-comedian grew up. The owners of the small family winery say the light beer is made from high-quality ingredients with more "flavor and body" than popular corporate beers.

Mike Schilling, who runs the winery with his wife, Sharon, is confident Git-R-Done beer will appeal to the comedian's fan base.

"Rednecks love quality, too," he said.

Larry the Cable Guy, whose real

WBIR-TV - Knoxville, TN, USA - Actress Ashley Judd is lending her name and fashion style to a new line of women's clothing for Knoxville-based retailer Goody's Family Clothing.

he company, which sells moderately priced clothing, said three new labels called A-J, Ashley Judd and Love, Ashley will be available this fall.

The line will include denim, knit tees, sweaters and casual career outfits including blazers, skirts and cardigan sets.

Judd helped develop the line and took designers on shopping trips to show them her style.

Judd has homes near Nashville and in Scotland, home of her husband Dario Franchitti, the winner of this year's Indianapolis 500. Her film credits

Primenewswire (press release) - Los Angeles, CA, USA - MEDirect Latino Inc. the first national provider of direct-to-consumer Medicare reimbursed medical products focused exclusively on chronic diseases afflicting the Hispanic community, today announced the Company is in the final stages of its migration to a superior customer service software operating platform with proprietary features for customer tracking, forecasting, service, medical billing and collections. The proprietary platform includes electronic processing of medical verifications, eligibility and medical billing which will substantially reduce Medicare's reimbursement payment cycles (DSO), while increasing the percentage of collectables.

The Company anticipates that the migration will be fully implemented during the next 90 days, which equates to one

Earthtimes.org - USA - "America's favorite cookie" is launching its third annual search for that special combination -- Oreo fans who love to sing! The "Oreo & Milk Jingle" contest invites groups of friends, families, co-workers, etc. to sing the O-R-E-O jingle for a chance to win the "ultimate moment" -- having their performance broadcast on a Times Square Super Sign in New York City and $10,000.

Groups of two to 15 people are invited to put their talents to the test, creating videos of themselves performing the jingle in their own creative, unique way. Ten semi-finalist groups will be posted online for America to

Indiantelevision.com - Andheri, Mumbai, India - American Express in the US has united some of its high-profile card members for the next iteration of the Are you a card member? campaign to highlight the company's unique online initiative called The Members Project.

The Members Project enables American Express Cardmembers to come together as a community to submit project ideas for making a positive impact in the world, rate and discuss their ideas and ultimately vote and choose one idea that American Express will help bring to life with up to $5 million.

The new spot brings together tennis great Andre Agassi, singer/songwriter Sheryl Crow, comedian and talk show

Jennifer Aniston has been named spokeswoman for Smartwater!

"We were thrilled that Jennifer discovered Smartwater and realized what a different it makes to her healthy lifestyle," said Rohan Oza, Senior Vice President of Marketing. "To us, Jennifer truly embodies what Smartwater is all about as she combines substance and style like nobody else."

Aniston, an investor in the company, will also be starring in an upcoming advertising campaign for Smartwater shot by Mario Testino reports US Magazine. Aniston co-created a limited-edition Smartwater label which will be available in stores across the country in July

Last year, gossips claimed a deal between Nike and