Search results matching tags 'cosmetics' and 'large pores'

Key to Looking Younger! Education of Products and dermalogica and Jan Marini!

Karen — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 19:22:00 GMT

My favorite skin care brands that I’ve used (or still use) personally are typically ones that I used professionally in the past. This is usually because I was thoroughly trained via classes and seminars put on by the brands themselves, attended aesthetic conferences with workshops, or simply taught by the brand or cosmeceutical or pharmaceutical rep within the office or spa.

When you’re professionally trained you understand how and why each product works whether by understanding the ingredients used, the science which makes it work (bio-availability and what part of the skin and underlying cells its affecting and why that is), indications for usage and what the expected outcome should be, as well as proper application technique (absorbability, mechanical means, steps, etc.).

When I think of the ultimate example of a brand that trains exceptionally well, two skin care companies come to mind. Dermalogica and Jan Marini! Both lines are phenomenally effective and results oriented, easy to use, indication specific and extremely professional. They are constantly evolving and are the leaders in cutting edge science in relation to skincare.

You can find both at many professional day and medical spas as well as many dermatology offices. I buy both my Dermalogica and my Jan Marini products at www.spalook.com because that’s much more convenient for me and they are a lot more competively priced.

You will never find me out of stock of my two favorite dermalogica and Jan Marini products as they are crucial to my skin care regimen and to my looks! LOL I always have a back up of each.

dermalogica AGE smart power rich is an amazing pharmaceutical strength treatment that moisturizes brilliantly, reverses the signs of aging, softens, firms and tones and stimulates cellular turnover and renewal. It’s pricey, but more than worth it. This is probably my pick for the best skincare product on the market.

Next is my Jan Marini C-ESTA Facial Mask. The effects are instant and absolutely amazing. I always use it before important occasions or when I want to look my ultimate best. It is seriously the closest thing to an instant facelift I’ve ever used. I can’t even begin to tell you how much you will love this mask!

The Beauty Ingredients Snob! Part One!

Karen — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 22:09:00 GMT

One of the main reasons I consider myself an expert in skincare is because I always want to know the “x” factor. I want to know why products work. And simply put the “x” factor is the active ingredient(s) within the product themselves.

Think of back in the day when women simply lathered a thick coating of cold cream on their face. It does indeed make your face feel softer and more hydrated but could it possibly repair or nourish? Not likely. The only way in my opinion to facilitate a physiological action would be to shrink the molecules of the active ingredients or add a delivery system to get those ingredients to the deeper cells in the skin. This is where collagen production takes place. Additionally, the superficial layers must be exfoliated and again ingredients play a key role in that action as well.

I will be doing a whole series on ingredients over the next few days or however long it takes to convey the importance of these complex pieces of the skincare and beauty regimen puzzle.

Today I’d just like you to take a look at the many verbs in the word “ingredients” below. These verbs are potentially what you can reasonably expect when you choose products with the correct ingredients for your specific indications and needs.

Improves and illuminates
Nourishes
Gives a lift and protects
Repairs, refines, relieves, reveals and resurfaces
Exfoliates, enhances and evens out color
Detoxifies and diminishes
Invigorates and increases circulation
Enhances and encourages
Nurses redness, blemishes and other skin conditions
Tightens and tones
Softens, stimulates and strengthens

Next time…we’re going to take a look at my favorite skincare ingredients!

Alchimie Forever Diode 1 Plus Diode 2 Age Defying Serums are a Face Saving Grace!

Karen — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 17:51:00 GMT

I’ve wanted Alchimie Forever Diode 1 Plus Diode 2 Age Defying Serums forever but didn’t feel like I should pony up the 95 bucks considering I usually only have a couple of hundred dollars each month for fun and extras. But before I knew it I succumbed and used a darn credit card! It turned out my obsession with buying beauty products panned out beautifully this time…thank goodness!

I had been reading the rave reviews for Alchimie Forever brand in general but especially for this little dynamic duo so I knew I wanted to try it.

Alchimie products scored big with Forever Diode 1 Plus 2 Age Defying Serums. These are power packed little bottles with concentrated extracts of potent antioxidants. The combination combats free radical damage and smoothes, tones, firms and lifts the skin. It has an immediate effect (great for using before a night on the town when you want to look sensational) as well as cumulative, long term results.

I’m forever indebted (both financially and gratefully!) to Alchimie Forever Face!

After a lot of thought…Dermalogica is still Numero Uno with me!

Karen — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 22:51:00 GMT

Being a skincare expert for over 25 years I’m often asked what is the best skincare brand I’ve ever used both personally and professionally. The problem with that question is oftentimes there are too many variables to answer with just one brand. What I’ve found is that usually the person asking the question is that they want to know what the best brand is for them…and even more specifically the products within the brand to address their specific skin issues. So as you can see individual needs and indications are what’s important when recommending products; not just an umbrella answer of one brand.

Having said that; I’m asked that question so often that I decided I would consider all of the hundreds of brands I’ve tried and used both personally and professionally and on a variety of skin issues and make a well informed, educated decision on exactly what brand I would answer as my choice for being the best.

After taking into consideration brand reputation, results, variety of products within the brand, ease of use, ingredients, ratings and reviews from users as well as dispensing professionals I have come up with my answer.

Without a doubt, no reservations, I’m going to say hands down, the best skincare brand available today as well as way back when I started has to be Dermalogica.

Dermalogica uses only quality, results-oriented ingredients and will not sell their soul by using artificial colors, fragrances and cheap fillers such as mineral oil. And not only do they not use ‘bad for your skin’ fillers; they spend top dollar using ingredients that are proven to treat and repair your skin so that it’s as healthy as it has the potential to be. Their philosophy being that beautiful skin is indeed healthy skin!

Here’s a list of my top ten all time favorite Dermalogica products. Typically when I do my top ten lists of anything I rarely put them in any specific order. However, I’ve decided to place these in order (albeit reverse) because the last five or in this case the top five are not only my favorite skincare products within this incredible Dermalogica brand but I would be remiss if I didn’t say they were my top five beauty products of all time period (regardless of brand or line)!

10. Dermalogica Essential Cleansing Solution
9. Dermalogica Multi Active Toner
8. Dermalogica ChromaWhite TRx Brightening Regimen
7. Dermalogica AGE Smart Antioxidant Hydramist
6. Dermalogica MediBac Clearing Adult Acne Treatment Kit
5. Dermalogica Precleanse
4. Dermalogica Multivitamin Thermafoliant
3. Dermalogica AGE Smart Multivitamin Power Firm
2. Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

And my number one pick for the very best Dermalogica product (and in my opinion...the very best skin care product ever made!) is numero uno!

1.Dermalogica AGE Smart Power Rich

These are my favorite Dermalogica products. However, the whole line is spectacular and you can find all of these superior products at SpaLook.com. Hope you’re as impressed as I am with Dermalogica (after having a relationship with them for over 25 years). Experience really does speak volumes!

Feelin' Like a California Girl Today!! Thanks to Colorescience!

Karen — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 23:19:00 GMT

Nothing can make your day quite like a SkinStore.com delivery! I always love when I hear this hard bang on my door followed by a door bell ring because I then know it’s a package delivered. And every time I hear that wonderful sound, I go open my door to no one standing there but know that when I look down I will find a treasured box of goodies! And today was no exception.

I panicked when I couldn’t find my scissors to tear open into the darn thing…but alas I finally did and eureka! It was a better than opening a box of chocolates!

I got my favorite stuff for my very best “California Girl” look!

Colorescience Crème de la Crème Foundation Primer –California Girl
Colorescience Pressed Mineral Compact-California Girl
Colorescience Glow and Go Travel Puff-Pearl
Colorescience Lip Candy Glaze-Suga Baby

I’ve got these gems on now and I look like all my imperfections have been magically erased and sun kissed to boot! I love my Colorescience!!!

Elizabeth Arden…My Royal Regimen! Part 3!

Karen — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 06:06:00 GMT

I told you I would reveal my incredible Elizabeth Arden regimen and here it is...

Cleanser: Elizabeth Arden 2 in 1 Cleanser from the Basic Skincare Line. For those of you who know me…I like to find the best cleanser that doesn’t dry out my already dry skin and I refuse to pay a ridiculous amount of money for a cleanser. I’d rather save my cash for the good stuff…like serums, and anti-aging treatments! I’ve also rarely used toners in my life but I love that this cleanser has one built right in. My skin looks clarified, radiant and my pores minimized. And all for under twenty bucks!!

Eyes: Holy Cow…if you can only get one thing from my regimen…this would be it! I love my Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Gold Ultra Lift and Strengthening Eye Capsules. This product is out of the Ceramide line and has the name gold aptly placed in the title…this is the proverbial treasure in my regimen. These little precious gems erase my lines and wrinkles around my eyes and even lift my sagging eyebrows. In addition my eyes look brighter and less puffy. Love it!!!

Targeting deeper wrinkles: Ok actually there are two things you might want to consider if you can only get one…lol! This is another treasure from the Ceramide line and the best part it not only works overtime, but you get immediate results as well! Take a look at my Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Plump Perfect Targeted Line Concentrate. Oh my goodness…great product!

Day Cream: My day cream is a multi-tasker from the Intervene line. Elizabeth Arden Intervene Pause and Effect Moisture Lotion SPF15. My skin looks dewy and luminous. It’s lightweight yet I feel luxuriously hydrated. And I don’t have to add another sun block on top as it’s got a sun protection factor of 15 built right in.

Night Time: This is where I let my treatment products work. I like my uber ingredients to work in the middle of the night when sleep is regenerating all my cells. I use two products from the Basic Skincare line at night. They are awesome! Elizabeth Arden Overnight Success Skin Renewal Serum and Good Nights Sleep Restoring Cream. The words Renewal and Restoring in each name speak volumes. I’ve never awaken with skin this gorgeous in my life!

Elizabeth Arden! Part Two!

Karen — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:30:00 GMT

So today I said I’d chat about the individual lines within the superb Elizabeth Arden brand. I also mentioned I’d share with you my very own Elizabeth Arden products I use in my all inclusive Elizabeth Arden regimen!

First a little about each of the lines:

Basic Skincare: Every regimen needs the basics and beautiful skin starts with a basic regimen. Whether you individualize and/or potentiate your regimen with serums and treatments or not; skin needs to be cleansed, moisturized, and protected twice daily to remain beautiful and get even more gorgeous. And the fact that Elizabeth Arden uses the ultimate in ingredients and offers products for all skin types means that you’ll be even further ahead than most skincare lines. In fact, I’m not so sure basic is the best word for this line… with night creams, serums, and specialized eye treatments. It’s way beyond basic!!!

Ceramide: “The Elizabeth Arden Ceramide line infuses innovative, age-fighting ingredients with luxurious textures and scents for the ultimate in anti-aging skin care.” My thought: Ceramide line kicks all anti-aging lines butts! It’s formulated with cutting edge science and it’s worth its weight in gold!!! One of its ingredients is know as SNAP-8 and it does just that…your skin is so firm and the elasticity is so greatly improved you feel like you can practically see it snap back…bye bye sagging skin!

Eight Hour Cream: This particular Elizabeth Arden line has been around since 1930! That speaks volumes! If you want a moisturizing seal that heals, quench’s, and protects your skin for a full eight hours all you need to do is look at this line. It’s a winter must-have!!!

Green Tea: Indulge in hydration and decadent luxury with Camellia Oliefera Leaf Extract…aka Green tea! And now Elizabeth Arden has formulated a body butter with it along with shea butter, aloe, macadamia nut oil and kukui nut oil…It doesn’t get any better than that for the skin of the body!!

Intervene: The award winning Intervene line is a line of products that repairs and prevents the signs of aging. It is formulated with a specialized technology from a botanical extract from the Narcissus Tazetta Bulb. The Intervene liquid foundation is the ultimate in anti-aging makeup..

Pretty: Oh this line speaks for itself right within its name! Elizabeth Arden Pretty is a line of products that are formulated with the most beautiful floral scents. “Pretty is a spirited floral fragrance of exceptional charm. The floral heart is surrounded by a mélange of fruits, wrapped in a well-rounded background of serene woods. At its core is a premiere ingredient, Petalia.” The bottom line is…you will definitely feel pretty!

Pure Finish: Love mineral makeup? Elizabeth Arden Pure Finish paints a flawless face that stays gorgeous all day long. The lightweight powder goes on so ultra sheer almost as if it’s an airbrushed finish…but yet covers imperfections beautifully. You’re left with corrected skin that looks younger, luminous and oh so radiant.

Red Door: You’ve got to check out the Red Door fragrance line. This gorgeous scent is formulated in an array of products. Here are the notes of the sexy, sophisticated and stylish fragrance...

Top Note: Ylang-Ylang and Vibrant Red Roses
Middle Note: Oriental Orchid, Jasmine, Lily of the Valley, Moroccan Orange Flowers, Forest Lilies, Rich Freesia, Carnation and Wild Violets
Base Note: Oakmoss, Sandalwood, Spicy Vetiver and Honey

I’m thinking my secret regimen is going to have to wait till next week to reveal. This was a whole lot of good Elizabeth Arden info without it! But no worries…I will reveal!

Elizabeth Arden...Shining lines within a Stellar Brand!

Karen — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:16:00 GMT

I’m always preaching about how it’s ok to choose products from different lines to design the perfect regimen. However, that’s because I rarely find a complete regimen that covers all one’s individual needs effectively and entirely. Additionally, I have favorites from certain lines that I had refused to give up…and because of that…I’ve discovered along the way that if I want to throw in a particular favorite product with an ingredient such as vitamin C or a particular peptide into my regimen from another line…the regimen works just as well as if all the products were from within the same brand. In other words, I didn’t just theorize it…I lived it. And it worked.

Having said that, I’ve recently found a brand that literally has all the ingredients I use within its whole line. Not only do they have all my required ingredients and steps within their brand…they all work so extremely well that I would have no reason to step out of line sporadically here and there. Additionally, this regimen makes me kind of wonder if perhaps there is something to keeping within the same brand. Like perhaps it seems that one product potentiates the next. Darn...I just hate it when I have to eat my words!! Nah…I couldn’t have been wrong all together…I think it’s just that Elizabeth Arden is so good that it’s extremely difficult to not find a perfect product for any particular need. Besides if a woman is going to show me up…It would certainly have to be Liz, because she definitely knows more about this biz than me. She’s been the real deal when it comes to beauty…and I’m honored to represent!

I think besides the fact that Elizabeth Arden has been a huge leader in the beauty industry for a very long time; the products are easy to understand due to the lines within the whole line model. We’ve all heard of Elizabeth Arden products at some point whether it’s buying a product from a department store or visiting the famed Red Door Spa. But for me, certain ingredients and terms in skincare and cosmetics have always stood out and have long helped me do easier product searching and research. And as per usual the folks at Elizabeth Arden…have listened to all of us whether we are professionals within the business or ordinary customers who know what they want when it comes to beauty.

Here’s the deal: Elizabeth Arden has many stellar products. But because it’s a beauty brand that has so many products (that do so many different things); the smart folks at the company have placed different products within different lines within the whole brand. In a word or two…it’s lines within a great line!

Today I’ll list the lines and tomorrow I’ll chat a little more about each of the lines and share with you my very own ultimate Elizabeth Arden regimen!

Elizabeth Arden Lines:

Elizabeth Arden has been around for close to a hundred years. It has always been equated with quality upscale products and cutting edge science within the beauty industry. Whether you’re in need of a new lipstick, a basic skincare regimen, or the latest innovation in reversing aging skin, there is an Arden product or formulation for you.

H2o Plus is a plus for us!

Karen — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:58:00 GMT

I rarely buy products because of their names or packaging. Well maybe I’m a slight sucker for packaging! LOL Especially if it’s perfume but that makes sense to me. After all perfume is often placed on dressers or bathroom counters for display and easy access.

But a couple of weeks ago I have to say I gravitated towards a skincare brand just because I liked the name. I just felt like the name spoke volumes.

H2O Plus brand reeled me in just like a sport fisherman with a marlin on his hook! But seriously, how could a person with dry skin go wrong with a product that screams hydration? So needless to say I ordered and I ordered big. Never tried a sample, never had a conversation about it with any other professional and quite frankly I didn’t even research the ingredients which is something I always do.

Well call it my gut instinct or their mission to hydrate us but whatever the reason I succumbed. And boy am I ever glad I did!

H2O claims to work because it’s a brand from the sea and the unique thing about the sea is that it claims the same composition as our body. Thereby working the chemistry we share with the big blue to optimize the health and vitality of our skin.

I have got to tell you….there is definitely something to this. My skin is gorgeously vitalized. It’s just down right radiant. I am so pleased with my H2O Plus products. You’ve got to check it out! Here’s what I’ve tried so far:

H2o Plus Eye Oasis Moisture Replenishment Treatment

H2o Plus Natural Spring Moisture Boosting Body Balm

H2o Plus Sea Mineral Mud Mask

Oh and by the way…the bottles are so cute and pleasing to the eye that they too share counter space with my pretty perfume bottles!

Must Haves for Under 50 Bucks!

Karen — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:52:00 GMT

Oh my gosh...I just noticed SkinStore.com is having their Top 50 products under 50 dollars promotion! I love that! Here are some under 50 bucks must haves!

Must have Multi-Use serum. This product has more uses than any product on the market. To name a few...acne, discoloration, pore minimizer, wrinkle reducer, horrible heels, stretch marks....M2 Skin Technologies HP Skin Refinish20%. $44.50

Must have Moisture Mask. Highly rated and highly effective Avene Soothing Moisture Mask can be yours for only 22 bucks!

Must have product for Men! Guys you know you want to have gorgeous bright eyes just like we do so check out Menscience Eye Rescue Formula for a mere $37.

Must have moisturizer for dry winter months. AtoPalmMLE Cream. Only 36 dollars for about 2&1/4 oz jar!

Must have hair removal appliance. Only 40 bucks...great for travel and probably one of the best gifts you can give for under fifty bucks has to be Emjoi Gently Classic. See ya later unwanted hair!