Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from 2007

Beauty Review: NIA24 Mineral Sunscreen

NIA24, Niacin powered skin therapy. 100% Mineral Sunscreen. UVA/UVB/SPF 30 DESCRIPTION: Physician recommended duo-action sun damage prevention and 100% mineral sunscreen in a weightless, oil-free lotion that absorbs instantly for complete protection. Suitable for sensitive skin. Review: This product was a sample included in my Test Tube from New Beauty (great magazine and website). I likely would have never tried it due to the fact I’d never heard of it and the product packaging is a little dull. (I like a pretty package, I guess.) I received this with its companion product, NIA Strenthening Complex Repair Cream. I took them on a trip up to Scottsdale (major sunshine and dryness) since they were trial-sized and easy to pack. After a late night of the Phoenix Art Walk, dining and cocktails, I used the Repair Cream before bed. The next morning, I showered and used the sunscreen then makeup. Wow! My tired skin looked great. This stuff made my skin look luminous (and believe me, I was not

Beauty Review: Dr. Graf Skin Deep & Dr. Brandt Lasertight

Howdy! Here are a couple review of products used by the over 40 set and what I think of them (for what it’ worth). I’ve used them each several times, followed directions and carefully noted results. Dr. Brandt Laser in a Bottle–Lasertight OK, first of all, yikes! The pricetag for this stuff at most retail outlets will be over $100.00. You can find it cheaper on the web, but it’s still a lot of money for the quantity. That said, I have used a few pricey products over the years that are worth the money (or close to it, anyway). I’m not a bargain-hunter per se, but I do know that a lot of ingredients in these pricey products are the same stuff in the drugstore brands. However, they do also usually contain higher priced ingredients. The real “ingredient” you’re paying for is the packaging, marketing, etc. Dr. Brandt Lasertight is a delicate pink liquid dispensed from a pump bottle in tiny amounts. Purported to firm using antioxidants and sweet pea extract (?), it should be applied on fresh

Quick Tip: Make Eyes Appear Uplifted in 30 seconds

Need a quick tip to make your eyes appear uplifted? Use a concealer at the outer corner of your eyes. We know we need it in the inside corners to cover that dark, hollow look we all get. However, using the concealer just under your outer lower lashes and extended upward and out slightly beyond your eye line. Be sure to blend well. Use a lighter color than you use on the rest of your face (gives a nice bright glow). Note about this: Do not use white or a color drastically lighter, just a shade lighter. This tip works best if you use a makeup brush. Draw a line of concealer under your outer (only) lower lashes and out beyond your eye line. Use a sponge to blend. Dab a little light powder on it for staying power (Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder works well). And, as always, curl your lashes before applying mascara. This really does help make your eyes appear wide open. I use a drugstore-brand curler (Revlon) and warm it a bit with my blow dryer before using. This tip will make you

20 Minute Facelift & Eye Lift

Can you see a difference? Check out the right eye vs. the left? Which looks higher, tighter, more youthful? OK, here’s the answer… Facelifter: Natural Facelift in a Bottle Perusing the internet one day several months ago I ran across a product that purported to give a non-surgical facelift (yeah, right, I thought). The thing is, this product came with pictures that looked pretty good. They seemed realistic and they definitely showed an improvement in the faces. The skin was toned, the muscles firmer and lifted. They looked great. So I read some more. And some more. I tend to really READ into the websites I visit trying to get glimpses into the “catch” or the real deal behind the claims. After reading and studying the pictures and viewing the video clips, I decided to order the product. This is a HUGE leap for me, because unless it’s a well-known product or someone I know and trust (aka Oprah) touts it, I generally don’t buy it from an anonymous website. I guess I’m a skeptic after gett

Beauty Review: Accent Cellulite Treatment: Does it REALLY work?

Review: Accent for Cellulite Alright, is there anything (short of curing major diseases) that would earn someone billions if it could really work to rid us of this stuff? I’ve tried it all, and I do mean it ALL, when it comes to ridding my poor thighs of this scourge. Honestly, all the workouts, weights, creams, pills, massage, Endermologie (works a little–very temporary), mesotherapy (ouch! I hate needles, so this wasn’t a big seller for me) in the world hasn’t worked. Believe me, I’ve tried. When I saw an ad in my local paper for a new treatment, Accent, accompanied with some pretty awesome before and afters pics, I tore it out and made the call. If it worked as well as what the pictures showed, count me in. I made an appointment with the Skinovative clinic that ran the ad. It’s in the mall, so I had some trepidation…after all, skin treatments in the mall? At least it didn’t involve needles or invasive treatments, so what could be the harm. I bravely waited for my appointment. In the

Quick Tip: Sallow & Pale Skin? Revive in 60 Seconds Flat!

We've all had those days...we wake up and look in the mirror and feel about 100 years old. Our skin is pale and saggy. We look drawn and tired. What can we do in about 60 seconds to change it? First, revive your skin: Take a warm (near hot) washcloth and press it into your face for about 10 seconds. Then, use it to exfoliate/slough off any dry skin by buffing it around your face for a few seconds. Be gentle, but really give yourself a good buffing. This will immediately give you a rosy glow and give your skin a nice, smooth finish. Second, get your best moisturizer (the stuff you only use on special occassions) and rub it in your palms (add a drop of self-tanner/bronzer if you have it). Spread this on your face with patting motions (use your palm and fingers to pat it into your face vs. just slathering it on). This will give you a plump-skin look. Third, let the moisturizer dry for a few seconds (brush your teeth, gargle, brush hair, etc.). Then, when it's dry, take a bit of po

Beauty Review: Oscar Blandi Luce, Curl & Olio de Jasmine

OK, I admit it: I got sucked in one more time by HSN. I was channel surfing and I happened by while Oscar Blandi was on. I've read about his hair products in the mags so I was curious. I watched for far too long and by the time his segment was over, I was hooked. I HAD to have these products. Onto HSN.com I logged. I was particularly smitten with the Luce, a in-shower hair glossing treatment. I sounded easy to use and quick, plus the host raved about how great it was (naturally) and how glossy it made your hair. Being a naturally curly-haired girl who pretty much does every mean trick to her hair (process, color, highlight, straighten, hot curl, etc.), I have dry hair. I needed this product. I got the products from HSN pretty quickly and set about to using it. Big disappointment. I washed my hair (non Blandi products), put on conditioner (non Blandi) and then used Luce leaving it on for about 3-5 minutes. By the time I dried my hair I knew: Nothing had happened. I HATE buying new &

Beauty Review: Legmaster: Thigh Maker or Wallet Breaker?

OK, have you seen this infomercial and been so jazzed by the thought of tight, toned legs in just 13 minutes a day that you've reached for a credit card (any card) and grabbed the phone? Yeah, me too! Well, I went with an online purchase, but same difference. I FINALLY got the thing (I waited a few weeks and was almost going to cancel my order when it magically showed up on my doorstep). After getting my guy to assemble it and hoist it up the stairs to my mini-gym, I was anxious to give it a try. Here's the deal... This thing will rock your thighs into submission. I am pretty fit, but I could barely knock out 13 minutes on this thing the first time around. I was holding the hand-rail for dear life while my thighs quivered and begged for mercy. In a word, it was tough. But tough is good, right? It means it's working. It's been about a month of using this about 2-3 times per week and I do feel some firmness and tone in my inner/outer thighs. Is this due to the Legmaster o

Would you LOVE a Makeup Artist Career? Train at home

Wanna Be a Makeup Artist? Learn the trade now... It's true! If you live in a community that has women, weddings, TV, etc., you can be a practicing makeup artist. One things about this career: It's what you know that can get you in the door. You can train at home, practice (a lot), gain understanding of the business aspects of it (your kit, how to get clients, what to charge, form you might need, etc.). If you have always wanted to be a makeup artist, visit http://www.beautyproage.com/ to learn more.

Take 10 Years Off: The Best Exfoliation Method

I've tried them all: microdermabrasion (at home, salon and physician office types), scrubs, peel, gommage, fruit acids, milk acids, etc., etc. The best I've found so far has to be the chemical (glycolic) peel. There are other types of chemical peel (AHA, Jessner, TCA, etc.), but for me it's glycolic all the way. Why? It's cheap, it's easy, result appear immediately and are cumulative, little irritation and/or peeling occurs (when done correctly), and it's readily available. I buy mine online and work with either a mixable formula where I can dilute or strengthen the formula based of the activator used or a straight 40% or 50% glycolic. Don't use anything stronger on your facial skin. You just don't need it and it can cause burns and scarring. The ebay glycolics of 70% or more are for your body skin (heels and other tough skin areas) and should NOT be used on your face. I'm not going to go into the exact specifics of the usage of this product, as the