Hot or Not Beauty

I’m an exfoliating junkie. I love to scrub. My day just isn’t complete with out scrubbing my skin raw with the latest and greatest on the exfoliation market. I’m expert on these skin care products. Not only am I a self absorbed makeup artist, but a licensed aesthetician as well. So that means that I know a thing or two about good skin care products. Now, not everyone should take the liberty to scrub until they feel the burn like I do. Really, the less is more philosphy is true here. I just don’t practice what I preach.

This is what you should know about exfoliators:
They come in manual and chemical forms. Manual exfoliators are scrubs — grains, granules, crushed seeds, polyethelyne balls and so on. Chemicals exfoliants are commonly alpha hydroxy or beta hydroxy acids, enzymes and retinols. There are a plethora of professional exfoliators which we will not get into at this time. I love, love, love AHA’s. I have been known to do a vigorous scrub and then a professional strength chemical exfoliant right after. Sure, I get red and it burns like the dickens, but the next day my skin looks like I just had a blissful evening…

Why you should scrub:
1. It removes dead skin cells.
2. It helps moisturizer penetrate the skin.
3. It’s an anti-ager for the skin, can diminish fine lines
4. Help give skin a glow

Scrubs to avoid:
Anything with big uneven particles. In particular the good ole crushed apricot seed or walnut seed. Forget all that harsh stuff. Now, there are scrubs that use a powder form or a very small particle form of those ingredients and they are perfectly fine. Always try to sample the product before you buy it. Run the scrub through your fingers. Does it feel rough? Don’t use it. The granules should be smooth and even.
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Gone are the days of plastering and painting faces with layers of foundation and powder. Today’s complexions glow – they are radiant and fresh. Whether young or gracefully maturing, smooth luminous skin is universally sought after. With little effort, amazing results can be had by just adding a step or two into your daily skincare regimen.

Concern – Dull, flaky skinThis skin could be oily or dry. How to tell? If pores are large, you are an oily skin in need of exfoliation. No pores to speak of, you are dry with the same need of exfoliation. Once dead skin is lifted by exfoliating, clean fresh skin is revealed.

Exfoliants that get the job done:Awake Deep Purity Clay Wash – 2-3 times a week, great for normal to oily skins
Fresh Sugar Face Polish – Optimal use is 3-4 times weekly, but once per week is encouraged – for all skin types
Caudalie Grape Seed Buffing Cream – A gentle cream based exfoliant that uses jojoba beads and is great for normal, sensitive and drier skins. This gentle cream can be used daily.

Concern – Lackluster, no glow
Next to exfoliation, your skin may need a little pick me up with. Serums with active ingredients, botanicals, antioxidants and vitamins can revive skin with drink of nutrition.

Awake Serum Un-Sign Face Essence — Increases skins brightness in days, oil free version also
MD Formulations Vit-A-Plus Illuminating Serum — Balances uneven skintones
Murad Vitalic Energizing Pomegranate Treatment — a performance-boosting gel swirled with a skin illuminating cream
Chanel Radiance Revealing Serum — revives energy and boosts radiance instantly

Last but not least, be sure you moisturize with a product that has light reflective properties. Try:
Caudalie Vinolift SPF 12 Day Fluid — SPF protection, and an instant luminous effect due to its tiny golden pearlizers
Murad Resurgence Sheer Lustre Day Moisture — Luminescent minerals give dull skin a natural, healthy-looking glow, even without makeup.
Dior Vitalmine Radiance Activator — infuses skin with healthy-looking radiance and vitality

Here’s to glowing skin!

skincare, dull skin, tired skin, glowing skin, beauty, cosmetics, caudalie, chanel, murad, dior, beauty blog

Sales of over the counter acne preparations exceed $100 million annually. Hundreds of millions more are spent on prescription treatments. Acne is a non life threatening disease, but nonetheless a disease that takes a psychological toll on it’s victims. 85% of the population between 12 and 25 are plagued with mild to moderate acne. With over 350,000 US residents seeking professional treatment for acne, it’s no wonder it’s turned into an infomercial driven business.

What causes acne?
In brief:
1. Hormones
2. P Acnes Bacteria
3. Excess Sebum (oil) production
4. Hyperkeratinization (build up of dead skin)

For more information about acne click here.

Other causes can be anabolic steroid use and medications. While it’s difficult to control hormones (certain birth control pills seem to help some women). So in short to for relief of acne the following must happen:

1. Kill Bacteria
2. Control Oil production
3. Control Inflammation
4. Exfoliate dead skin cells
Some brands such as Peter Thomas Roth rely on ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid and salicylic acid to clear skin. Others like Naturopathica rely on botanicals for their healing powers. Sample skin care regimens:

Nautropathica:
Cleanse: Aloe Cleansing Gel
Tone: Lavender Hydrolat
Hydrate: Protective Moisture Cream (oil-free)
Spot Treatment: Moss Extract Blemish Remover
Lighten Acne Scars: Botanical Skin Brightener
Weekly Mask: Pore Refining Clay Mask

Peter Thomas Roth:
Cleanse: Medicated BPO 5% Acne Wash or for Beta Hydroxy 2% Acne Wash for extremely oily skin
Tone: Glycolic Acid Clarifying Tonic
Treat: AHA/BHA Acne Clearing Gel or for more serious breakouts 10% BPO with sulfur
Weekly Mask: Sulfur Cooling Mask

Tip: For a serious eruption that you need to deflate overnight, try this: Ice pimple for 5 minutes. Apply spot treatment. Cover spot treatment with a thick layer of mask. Leave on overnight. You should see a marked difference in your zit come morning!

skincare, acne, murad, proactive, peter thomas roth, naturopathica, natural acne solutions, zits, pimples, help for pimples, beauty

Vitamins have increasingly become an integral part of skin care formulations. Without an adequate supply of vitamins skin can appear blotchy, dry or oily. Healthy skin needs a variety of vitamins to maintain resiliency.
What:
Vitamin A. The vitamin for healthy skin. Also knows as retinol, retinal, retinyl palmitate. The most popular form is tretinoin (retinoic acid), the active ingredient in Retin A and Renova. Research in the March 2000 Journal of Investigative Dermatology shows that a 1% preparation of retinol is partially converted by the skin into retinoic acid, which results in collagen growth and reversal of some aging signs. However, cosmetics usually contain preparations of retinol at lower strengths than those studied by researchers.
When:
At night, use a Vitamin A product that rejuvenates as you sleep. PM is the perfect time to use Vitamin A serum like Peter Thomos Roth Retinolique Forte or a Cream like Dr. Brandt A Cream. For day, look for a cream that includes retinol. Try June Jacobs Intensive Age Defying Hydratiang Complex.
Why:
Retinol increases cellular turnover, which slows down as we age. Studies have shown that the new cells produced by Vitamin a usage are healthier and plumper.
Retinol visibly improves the appearance of:
• Fine lines
• Wrinkles
• Hyperpigmentation, age spots
• Skin texture, smoothness, refines pores
• Skin tone, color
Who:
Anyone with mature skin, lines, wrinkles, discoloration. Also good for acne sufferers because of the exfoliation properties. For someone who desires to begin an anti-aging skin care regimen.

skincare, beauty, anti-aging, wrinkles, discoloration, hyperpigmentation, retinol, retin a, acne, renova, vitamin a, peter thomas roth products, june jacobs products, fine lines

Ever notice the beautiful skin possessed by women in the Mediterranean? Does Sophia Loren who has aged ever so gracefully come to mind? Perhaps credit should be given to two botanicals that have been cultural standards for years: figs and olives. Both are packed with antioxidants and olive oil is abundant in essential fatty acids. Cleopatra and the prophet Mohammed both enjoyed figs and the Roman writer Pliny the Elder praised them for their power to get rid of wrinkles.

Recognized traditionally for their healing properties, figs and olives are the new buzz in skin care. The fruit of the olive tree has been touted as a youth elixir. And no wonder, olive trees can live up to 1,000 years. Packed with polyphenols olive oil itself is a wonderful moisturizer, cuticle cream and hair conditioner. Incorporated into beauty products, it packs a bigger punch.

Greece devotes 60 percent of its cultivated land to olive growing. It is the world’s top producer of black olives and boasts more varieties of olives than any other country. Straight from olive oil country, Greek manufacturer Apivita makes a Deep Face Scrub with olive grains that purifies and exfoliates. Rich in natural emollients, olive oil, when added to soap skin moisturizes and cleans in one fell swoop. Apivita’s Olive Oil Soap fills the bill.

When a regular part of a diet, figs are touted to lower cholesterol, help stop strokes, control blood pressure, promote weight loss, battle diabetes, and combat cancer. Valued for their warm, unique scent, figs have been often used to fragrance soaps and candles. Acca Kappa’s Fig Soap gently cleanses and moisturizes with a lovely soft scent. To bring the fresh clean scent of fig to your home, try Archipelago Botanicals White Fig Home diffuser or candle.
So, aside from that occasional Fig Newton and a drizzle of Olive Oil on your salad, add some figs and olives to your beauty routine. The beauty of Mediterranean skin awaits.

Beautiful skin — definitely HOT!

skincare, beautiful skin, younger skin, antiaging skincare, figs, olives, olive oil, sophia loren, cleopatra, acca kappa, apivita, fig newton, beauty

Major women’s magazines are telling us out with the old and in with the new. That we need a major overhaul because it’s a new year. Maybe it is a new year, but do you really want a new you? I maintain that last year’s model is pretty darn good; a little tune-up may get my motor purring like new though.

Sure I could shop till I drop for a new wardrobe, cut, color and otherwise change my hair, or plunk down the equivalent of a down payment on a two-seater foreign import to a plastic surgeon for major overhaul, but I think that’s pretty extreme. My closet is already busting at the seams (As I am in those clothes. Make note: use gym membership). My hair is great condition – nothing that a flat iron, comb and brush won’t cure. And as far as that plastic surgeon is concerned – I’d rather have the two-seater. So with that in mind, I’m taking care of my own maintenance.

You may want to do the same. Take time to consider where you may need maintenance. My tune-up is focusing on two main areas – above the shoulders and below the shoulders. I’ve got to conquer the jiggle factor. My neck is starting to get that jiggly turkey thing. I have examined it from every angle in the mirror and the jiggle has to go. I’m sure it’s only obvious to me and my high powered mirror with 10X magnification, but nonetheless, it’s there.

Second area of jiggle concern– thighs. I won’t even get into that scenario. But, if I use my gym membership in conjunction with some miracle jiggle stopper stuff, summer swimsuit shape is a possibility. Since I am a bit obsessed with magic potions, aka beauty products, I have decided to apply my twisted preoccupation with eye creams to conquering the dreaded neck and thigh jiggle.

Here is my list of anti-jiggle stuff that I’m trying for the next 3 months.
1.Eris Fortessimo Neck & Decolette Firming Cream.
This cream claims to firm and add elasticity to the delicate tissue of the neck. A proprietary blend of Coenzyme Q10 and other ingredients work their magic. I’m desperate, so I’ll apply day and night. And maybe keep some on my desk for intermittent day time applications…

2. Apivita Express Firming Face Mask with Grape Seed.
Since it’s made with Grape seed, known to be an antioxidant (fights free radicals which accelerate age aging process) and Coenzyme Q10, another antioxidant, I have great expectation of this product. Recommendation is to use 1-2 times per week. Sunday afternoon will be for masking.

3. Santica Beauty Recipes Facial Firming supplement. Grape seed extract is showing up again. Which leads me to believe this supplement has to be a good thing. Attack the jiggle from the inside out.
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Who wants to get old? For that matter, who wants to look old? I sure as heck don’t. That’s why I have been slathering on moisturizer for a few years now. Since my female hormones decided to take a step back and my skin started drying out. Once oily, I’m now the poster child for dehydrated skin. Now, I probably can’t blame my hormones 100% because I do suck down a couple gallons of high octane coffee per day, but that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. (Coffee = dehydration)

I have gone through my share of moisturizers over the last few years and have some definite opinions on the great ones.

1. Peter Thomas Roth Moisturizing 24/7 Anti-Aging Cellular Repair – It’s got peptides, Glycolic Acid, Vitamins A,C & E, and just does it all.
2. Caudalie Radiance Day Fluid SPF 8 — The power of the vine for your face. Powerful anti-oxidants in a sheer cream. $62

3. Z Bigatti Re-Storation Skin Treatment –
The granddaddy of muli-use products. Treatment packed with all kinds of antioxidants with amazing moisturizing abilities. $155

4. Steven Victor MD Bio-Nutritive Luxury Cream $400
This is the ultimate dream cream. It has more stuff in it that you can enunciate correctly and packs a powerful punch with results in 30 days.

5. Ole Henrickson Express the Truth
This ultra hydrating rich texture creme is packed with nature’s most powerful antioxidants like ester C and African red tea to help to calm and soothe the skin as well as fight off environmental aggressors and free radical damage. $65

skincare, cosmetics, beauty, anti aging, moisturizers, z bigatti, caudalie, peter thomas roth, ole henrickson, steven victor, skin

Sales of over the counter acne preparations exceed $100 million annually. Hundreds of millions more are spent on prescription treatments. Acne is a non-life-threatening disease, but nonetheless a disease that takes a psychological toll on it’s victims. 85% of the population between 12 and 25 are plagued with mild to moderate acne. With over 350,000 US residents seeking professional treatment for acne, it’s no wonder it’s turned into an infomercial driven business.

What causes acne? In brief:
1. Hormones
2. P Acnes Bacteria
3. Excess Sebum (oil) production
4. Hyperkeratinization (build up of dead skin)

For more information about acne click here.
Other causes can be anabolic steroid use and medications. While it’s difficult to control hormones (certain birth control pills seem to help some women), some of the other factors causing acne can be controlled. So in short, to relieve acne, a product must do the following:

1. Kill Bacteria
2. Control Oil production
3. Control Inflammation
4. Exfoliate dead skin cells

Enter the infomercial wars. Proactive versus Murad Acne Complex. Many opt for the quick fix. Step in Proactive. A 3 step program that relies heavily on 2.5% benzoyl peroxide as an antibacterial ingredient. However, many users are not familiar with the negative side effects of using a benzoyl peroxide product. This has been so much so that Murad even has an ad that stating “Proactive did NOT clear their skin�?. Many have voiced their complaints online about their experience with Proactive and Murad.

So what is the difference between Murad Acne Complex and Proactive? Murad does not use Benzoyl Peroxide, but does contain glycolic acid (exfoliating agent) as does Proactive. Murad also contains salicylic acid (antibacterial) and retinol (exfoliants).

Has Proactive worked for you? Or are you a Murad believer? Which brand if any has helped with your acne?

acne, proactive, murad acne complex, skin care, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, pimples, breakouts, clear skin

Dear beauty diary:
I wanted to figure out how many beauty products I use each day, so I started my ticker counting when I turned on the shower. Hmmm, Can I count that cup of coffee? It is a diuretic after all.

Getting into the shower and starting count.
1. Cleanse face with Peter Thomas Roth Glycolic Acid Cleanser. Let that stay on while I wash my hair. 2. Rene Furterer Okara Protective Radiance Shampoo (for my dyed ultra jet black hair). Rinse off the cleanser because it’s dripping in my eyes and stinging. 3. Condition with Rene Furterer Okara Protective Radiance Conditioner. Wash up with 4. Tocca Cleopatra Bar soap. 5. Apply Jack Black Beard Conditioning Lube to lower legs. 6. Shave lower legs with Gilette Mach 3 razor. 7. Exfoliate facial skin with Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion. 8. Exfoliate Body Skin with Fresh Brown Sugar Scrub. (not the lower legs though, ouch) All done, rinse everything from head to toe.

Get out and gently pat my freshly scrubbed skin dry. Apply 9. Keri Body lotion with AHA and SPF almost everywhere on my body. Especially feet, knees, elbows, backs of thighs and butt. 10. Go over that with my luxury Tocca Body cream on decolette and arms. (Subtle scent for the office) 11. Apply Caudalie Eye Contour Cream. Read my profile, no lines for this girl. Not even waiting in lines. 12. Apply Peter Thomas Roth Glycolic Acid 10% Gel. Get undies on while that’s drying.

13. Apply Eminence Apricot Whip Moisturizer. 14. Follow with Stila Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15. 15. Light dusting of Stila Illuminting Powder Foundation 60 Watts. 16. Nars Lovejoy blush on the apples of my cheeks. 17. Fill in eyebrows with Body and Soul brown eyeshadow. 18. Quick Sweep of Laura Geller Baked Eyeshadow in Unearthed. 19. Makeup Forever Liquid Color Liner in Black. 20. Loreal Voluminous Blackest Black Mascara, two coats 21. Stila Brown Sugar Lip Glaze.

On to my hair which is going back into a ponytail. 22. Rene Furterer Anti-Frizz High Control Emulsion and comb through. 23. A dab of Suave Anti-Frizz Gel, (Yes, Suave. One buck at Walgreens) to hold my frizzy locks. 24. Degree anti-perspirant deodorant under the arms and a couple other places. And I think I’m almost done. 25. My Phyto Phytophanere hair growth supplements are the last on the list. Next best thing to a weave.

So I count a whopping 25 products. And I wasn’t even going on a hot date. What do you use every day? Am I out of control? I figure all of that only takes me 15 minutes, so it can’t be that bad. How much is too much? Share your beauty routine!

makeup, skin care, beauty, body care, rene furterer, stila, laura geller, NARS, Peter Thomas Roth, moisturizer, exfoliate, women

Winter is season for cuddling by the fireplace and playing in the snow, but these same months can wreak havoc on skin. Dry air, indoor heating, and harsh wind can suck the moisture of skin. Skin that is already dry can get drier and irritated. Here are a few tips to winterproof your skin.

1. Take lukewarm showers. Showering with hot water or taking long hot baths can dry out skin. Use bath oil instead of bubble bath. Apply body a rich body moisturizer immediately after drying off.

2. Try a humidifier. They add moisture to dry indoor air.

3. Bump up the moisturizer. Unless your skin is extremely oily or you have acne, consider a more emollient moisturizer for winter months. They tend to trap natural lipids in the skin and prevent moisture loss.

4. Exfoliate more often. Dry skin build up prevents moisturizer from penetrating and working properly.

4. Use a broad spectrum sunscreen, at least SPF 15. The sun’s rays are equally as powerful in winter as in other months; remember that snow reflects the suns rays.

5. Wear gloves and apply hand cream often.

6. Use a lip balm. Lips have no oil glands and cold dry weather can lead to dry chapped lips. Look for healing ingredients like shea butter and cocoa butter.

7. Drink plenty of water. Hydrate skin from the inside out.

If you can’t manage to follow any of these tips, maybe a second home in a tropical location is just what the doctor ordered.

skin care, winter skin care tips, moisturizer, dry skin tips, beauty, beauty blog, women

Is your skin plagued by dark spots, hyperpigmentation, discoloration? By incorporating just a few steps into your skin care routine, you can safely and effectively brighten your skin.

1. Use a cleanser that has brightening qualities. DDF Brightening Cleanser is perfect. This blend of six natural skin brighteners in a foaming glycolic and salicylic gel helps minimize uneven skin tone, dark spots, and post blemish discoloration. This highly effective cleanser is excellent for both face and body, and has a light liquorice scent.

2. Use a Vitamin C serum or cream daily. Vitamin C has the capability of breaking up discoloration from the top down. As an antioxidant, it also has anti-aging properties, so it fights free radicals and works on wrinkles. I love Cellex C High Potency Serum. If you have never used a serum before, try a cream like Murad’s Essential-C Day Moisture SPF 15.

3. Use a Sunscreen! If you don’t do anything else, use an SPF daily! If it’s light outside,there is sun. Sun is the number 1 culprit in a plethora of skin care woes. Including dark spots, wrinkles, rough texture and more.

4. At night, use a Retinol (Vitamin A) product. If you aren’t on a prescription like Renova, then try Dr. Brandts A cream. Improves clarity and reduces wrinkles in one fell swoop.

5. Use a lightener or brightener for your skin. It’s best to use your lightener at night. If you are using a cream, apply your fade gel or lightener BEFORE your cream. If you are using an A serum as mentioned above, apply your serum first, then your fading product. My favroites:
Murad Age Spot Pigment Lightening Gel
Peter Thomas Roth Potent Botanical Skin Brightening Gel Complex (Hydroquinone free)

If all this is just way too confusing, Dr. Brandt as put a whole system together in one package that includes all you need — Lasar Lightening System, just remember your sunscreen.

skincare, hyperpigmentation, beauty, dark spots, skin lightening, vitamin c serum, ddf, dr. brandt, murad, retinol, skin brightening, even skin tone

Gone are the days of plastering and painting faces with layers of foundation and powder. Today’s complexions glow – they are radiant and fresh. Whether young or gracefully maturing, smooth luminous skin is universally sought after. With little effort, amazing results can be had by just adding a step or two into your daily skincare regimen.

Concern – Dull, flaky skin This skin could be oily or dry. How to tell? If pores are large, you are an oily skin in need of exfoliation. No pores to speak of, you are dry with the same need of exfoliation. Once dead skin is lifted by exfoliating, clean fresh skin is revealed.

Exfoliants that get the job done:
Peter Thomas Roth All in One Multi-Action Microdermabrasion - Almost as good as a visit to your esthetician.
Caudalie Grape Seed Buffing Cream – A gentle cream based exfoliant that uses jojoba beads and is great for normal, sensitive and drier skins. This gentle cream can be used daily.

Concern – Lackluster, no glow Next to exfoliation, your skin may need a little pick me up with. Serums with active ingredients, botanicals, antioxidants and vitamins can revive skin with drink of nutrition.

June Jacobs Skin Radiance Serum– Active botanicals plump, hydrate, define and add a luminous glow

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic – Vitamin E, E and Ferulic combine to reverse current damage and prevent future damage. You look young and glowing!

Last but not least, be sure you moisturize with a product that has light reflective properties. Try:

Murad Resurgence Sheer Lustre Day Moisture SPF 15– Luminescent minerals give dull skin a natural, healthy-looking glow, even without makeup. Perfect for us hormonal girls in 40’s and up.
Stila Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 – Works overtime as moisturizer, sunscreen, and luminizer. Gives sheer coverage and glow.

Get your glow on!

skincare, makeup, beauty, advice, tips, stila, murad, caudalie, june jacobs, peter thomas roth, serums, women’s anti-aging, skinceuticals, vitamin c, lackluster skin, dull skin, flaky skin, glow, glowing skin

They say the eyes are the first to go. They show age before the rest of the face. But not for this girl. I’ve got dozens of creams that are keeping me tighter than Joan Rivers without the nip, tuck and Botox.
My top five faves:

1. You have excess baggage

Nickel Eye Contour Lift. It’s made for a man, but perfect for a woman. I use it daily to send my bags packing.

2. You’re a slacker
If you are getting a little droopy, skin is losing elasticity, check June Jacobs out.
June Jacobs Firming Eye Repair It tightens, it tightens, it tightens. Get my drift?

3. You’ve got something to hide
If concealer is your best friend, you need a powerful antidote for the circles. Just beware of trying to lighten what won’t budge. If you have shadows because of your bone structure, keep concealing. If you have micro-circulation problems, allergies, then a product that stimulates circulation and drains in the eye area may work for you.
Apivita age management eye cream Works wonders not only on dark circles but those dreaded lines and wrinkles.

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I was fighting a cold last week and I looked bad. Not bad as in good, bad is in awful, yuck, get some sleep, hate me because I’m not beautiful. After taking 2 days off work, I had to face the music and get back to the office. But I still looked like walking dead. Well, being the makeup artist that I am, I pulled a few tricks out of my hat (or should I say makeup kit?) that woke me up and made me look like I was among the living.

1. De-Puff. Get rid of teary, puffy, generally puffy eyes with an eye gel. My favorite is from the men’s aisle, but I love it and it works. Nickel Eye Contour Lift.

2. Moisturize. My skin was tight because the last thing I cared about the last few days was putting on moisturizer. Plus the antihistamines had me dried out. So, slather on some moisturizer, it will give your skin a little glow and plump it up.

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