Search results matching tags 'make-over' and 'deep creases'

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!

For Jowls and Droopy Eyelids…Try Sothys and Bremenn Labs and be pleasantly pleased!

Karen — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 21:15:00 GMT

I don’t know about you guys but I think my foremost dreaded and worst skin aging issues are my jowls and my sagging eyelids. Injectible fillers and Botox work, but unfortunately I don’t like those options for a number of reasons. However, the good news for those of us who don’t opt for the cosmetic surgeon’s approach is that we do in indeed have options! Here are my tried and true solutions that I don’t know what I’d do without. Simply put…they work…and they work well! For sagging facial skin: Sothys Total Cohesion Anti-Sagging Satin Cream This satiny concoction dramatically restores the skin’s elasticity by reinforcing the dermal structure. It restructures cells, increases volume and strengthens the fragile skin. It’s also a great product for those of you who have combination skin as it’s indicated for normal to combination skin. That is hard to find in many anti-aging products. For Droopy Upper Eyelids: Bremenn Research Labs Upper Eyelid Lifter There aren’t many products on the market that help to brighten and restore a youthful appearance around your eyes. However, this wonderful product does just that. The manufacturer is the first to admit it’s not quite a surgical “eye-lift”…but that is indeed pretty darn good. And I wholeheartedly concur!

The Beauty Ingredients Snob...Part 4! Vitamin A and Argireline for Anti-Aging!

Karen — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 01:45:00 GMT

Today I’ll start with the letter A. It seems like a good place to start! A is for apple…but I maintain it’s for Anti-Aging!

In my opinion, if you want your skin to look younger you need key ingredients. Both of which start with the letter A!

Vitamin “A” is the first and “Argireline” is the second. Vitamin A or retinol is great for long term anti-aging benefits while argireline is for those of us who want to look great asap! A great combo in my opinion because while you’re waiting for that retinol to work over time you’re looking great in the interim because of the quicker effects of the argireline.

Vitamin A or retinoid derivatives work by generating new cells from deep within our skin. Argireline, which is a peptide chain of amino acids works by relaxing the muscles within our face to lessen the pronounced look of wrinkles from frown lines and crows feet.

My favorite retinol products in the past have always been virtually retinol only. Meaning a separate container that was retinol exclusively. It made sense to me because retinol is best used at night and so I just used it along with my other night treatments at bedtime. Additionally, I felt that it must be a stronger form if it were in its own container. However, since then I’ve discovered ZO Skin Health Ommerse Overnight Recovery Cream. ZO Skin Health gets an A+ for this amazing product. During precious sleep your skin gets a chance to get amazingly healthy by getting hydrated and repaired. The retinol reduces fine lines and wrinkles while the ceramides nourish the skin.

My argireline pick is one of my favorite skincare products on the market today. However, it’s also the most expensive. You’ll have to dig deep for this precious blend but you’ll be glad you did. Euoko offers Euoko Y-30 Intense Lift Concentrate. This product works both immediately as well as in the long term. It is anti-aging skin care at its finest. Expect to see dramatic results with pore size, expression lines, cell turnover, wrinkles and texture. This product is phenomenal. Another A+!

Deb's Dynamic Eye Creams! Zo Skin Health, Perricone MD, EmergnC, and Sundari!

Karen — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 15:31:00 GMT

My girlfriend Debbie obsesses over eye cream and it always makes me laugh because she has the best eyes ever! Her brows are lifted and her eyelids are not saggy and the bottoms of her eyes have no bags or dark circles. And then it hit me that maybe the fact that she obsesses over eye products is exactly why her eye area is so beautiful!

I asked her what she uses and she gave me a list that only a true skincare junky would appreciate. I’ve always tried to use a single product that treats all eye issues, but she uses one for each specific issue and I’m thinking that perhaps she’s on to something!

Deb’s favorite all around “multi-tasking” eye cream is from Zo Skin Health:

ZO Skin Health Olluminate Intense Eye Repair
Benefits include repairing fine lines and wrinkles both instantly and cumulatively. It also reduces puffiness and dark circles. It increases tone and hydration and boosts collagen production and health. It also protects against the free radical damage..

Deb’s favorite for an effective lift is courtesy Perricone MD products:

Perricone MD High Potency Eye Lift
This product lifts and firms the delicate skin around the eye. Fine lines and wrinkles are diminished and future wrinkles are prevented.

Deb’s favorite for dark circles is brought to you by EmergnC's Eye line:

EmergnC Lighten Up Under Eye Circle Fighter
Say goodbye to dark circles with this amazing potent product. It fights both superficial and original causes of dark circles under the eyes. It also strenghtens the skin and lightens it as well.

Deb’s favorite for puffiness is a Sundari Firming line product:

Sundari Gotu Kola and Boswellia Firming Eye Serum
This eye contour treatment was formulated (via Ayurvedic wisdom) to prevent puffiness and reduce visible bags under the eyes. Ingredients soothe and tighten the skin around the eyes.

PTR Unwrinkle...Really does unwrinkle!!

Karen — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 17:23:00 GMT

Yesterday Gina wrote about DDF and how it and some of the long time favorite brands diffuse stronger more aggressive cutting edge technology into some of their anti-aging (and many other issues for that matter) products. It reminded me of Peter Thomas Roth another all time favorite brand of mine.PTR and DDF have long been forerunners in the industry for years. If it weren't for my obsession of trying every product and every brand from A to Z I'd probably still be using one of these (or a combination of both) for my sole regimen. I still love and use a few PTR and DDF products and won’t give them up for all the tea in China. Here are a few of my staples.DDF products offer Mesoinjection Healthy Cell Serum that I use faithfully. It contains potent peptides and amino acids to immediately rejuvenate skin's luminosity while smoothing skin's texture.The best wrinkle products I won’t be without are from PTR products. There is a value kit being sold right now on SkinStore.com that has three of my favorite “UnWrinkle” products. It’s priced right at $68 but is a $138 value. It contains powerful patent pending ingredients that work synergistically to achieve amazing anti-aging results.Peter Thomas Roth UnWrinkle Kit includes:

UnWrinkle, 0.5oz
An exclusive, patent-pending blend of six powerful, highly concentrated, 100% active wrinkle relaxing and anti-aging peptides are combined with vitamins and skin moisturizers to create this wrinkle fighting solution with the highest degree of effective ingredients found in clinical studies.

UnWrinkle Peel Pads, 20 pads
These pads are designed to exfoliate the skin for the superior glow of a professional facial peel, while also preparing the skin to allow treatment products to better absorb into the skin. The result is beautiful, clear, radiant, glowing skin.

UnWrinkle Night, 0.25oz
This state-of-the-art moisturizer is designed to assist in cellular renewal, repair daily environmental damage, restore moisture and revitalize the skin while you sleep. Retinol helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and to normalize sebum production. Leaves skin looking and feeling hydrated, soft, smooth and years younger.

For effective, results oriented “anti-aging” skin care products that successfully accomplish youthful beauty…you must try DDF and PTR!

Beautiful Neck is Only 28 Days Away with Elemis and Perricone!

Karen — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:43:00 GMT

I’ve always been pretty lucky because my neck never really aged all that much so I never concentrated a whole lot (on buying specific neck creams) or stressed over it by wearing scarves or turtlenecks. I just figured it looked ok because I’d always pull my face serums and treatments down my neck which kept my neck toned and youthful. Which, by the way, I know that did help considerably…so be sure to always do that!

However, since my last birthday (and it was indeed a big one!) I’ve noticed significant aging and sagging around my once youthful looking neck. So needless to say I jetted to my computer to do my research to find the most raved about anti-aging neck treatment creams.

Here are the best two I found (I purchased and used them both)…and by the way they both worked beautifully!!!

Elemis Body Products Elemis Pro Collagen Lifting Treatment for Neck and Bust

Clinical results based on a 28 day period:
• Reduces skin crepiness by up to 33%.
• Increases skin firmness by up to 17%.
• Increases skin elasticity by 14%

Perricone MD Targeted products Perricone MD Firming Neck Therapy

Benefits:
• Improves skin firmness and elasticity
• Reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles and neck skin creases
• Contains anti-glycating qualities
• Reverses the signs of premature wrinkles
• Tones, tightens, nourishes and hydrates
• Skin is left firmer, smoother and youthful-looking

Both have considerably improved my neck in terms of crepiness, firming, and elasticity. I use one in the morning and one in the evening and the skin of my neck has less creasing. It looks so much better! I love these two products and Yes! the Elemis product did help firm my chest too!!!

Looking so Fine with Sothys!

Karen — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:33:00 GMT

Ever since the first time I had ever used a Sothys body product I started noticing a softness and firmness to my skin that I hadn’t previously noticed. I would never allow my sagging knees to show, much less my upper legs. They always looked so flabby. But soon after I started using Sothys Secret Smoothing Body Balm I noticed a firmness to my legs that I hadn’t seen since I was in my twenties.

So I got to thinking, man if this product can firm up my legs like this I just wonder if it could firm up my newly sagging face and neck. So I searched for Sothys products and not only found some great products for my face but a line specifically dedicated to sagging skin! I had no idea they even had such a thing. It’s called Sothys Total Cohesion line. I zealously clicked on the link and boy did I ever hit pay dirt!

I immediately ordered Sothys Total Cohesion Anti-Sagging Satin Cream. It Targets sagging skin to dramatically redensify and firm slackened skin. And I ordered Total Cohesion Shaping Neck Cream which also is stellar when it comes to lifting and tightening loose sagging skin. And not only does it work wonders on my neck it has lifted and toned my jowls beautifully.

I’m soooo sold on Sothys Specialized Care!

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!

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.

Superior Serums! Revale’Skin and Obagi…Hand’s down!

Karen — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:47:00 GMT

For Anti-Aging the super serum would have to be REVALESKIN Intense Recovery Treatment. Pricey but well worth it. You’re going to get your money’s worth and you’ll likely feel it’s the best purchase you’ve ever made when it comes to beauty!

It’s 5 star rated and contains the most potent concentration of ingredients for treating anti-aging issues. Revale'Skin, known for its high percentage of the super-antioxidant CoffeeBerry and other natural antioxidants which enhance skin restoration and protect against future attacks from free-radicals.

Benefits along with minimizing lines and wrinkles include reducing redness; stimulate collagen production and health, and evens out skin tone.
Vitamin C has always been a favorite serum of choice and for the ultimate in vitamin C topical therapy you’ve got to check out Obagi Professional C Serum 20% Strength!

Obagi Professional C Serum 20% Strength is another 5 star rated product with amazing benefits due to its superior delivery system resulting in greater penetration to all layers of the skin with a low side effect potential.

• Boosts and maintains normal cellular turnover
• Builds collagen
• Lightens and brightens the skin
• Reduces inflammation
• Decreases trans-epidermal water loss

If I were to only be allowed to use or choose one serum (ever) I would choose this one. Hand’s down! To me, vitamin C topical skin therapy is the ultimate multitasker with proven results when the brand uses the optimal delivery system and a strong potency. This one does indeed! In fact, all Obagi products are superior when it comes to delivery and potency.

Next week we’ll take a look at targeted treatments and serums for oily and congested skin, hyper-pigmented skin, rosacea and redness, and dehydrated skin.