Search results matching tags 'makeover', 'multi-tasking skincare', and 'vitamin C'

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!

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!

Turbo Time Saving Regimen! Brought to you by Philosophy Booster!

Karen — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:04:00 GMT

Lately I’ve been so busy I’ve had to formulate some time saving ideas. My friends say I take too long to get ready to go somewhere…which isn’t true (in my opinion...lol)…but just on the slight chance that they’re correct, I decided to see what I could do to speed things up a bit in the bathroom.I realize my guidelines for layering products within your regimen has always been to go from thinner serums to thicker creams. Now obviously, that’s after cleansing and toning if you use a toner/clarifier. However, I’ve found recently with my new and improved quicker me that many serums, lotions and creams may indeed be blended together and applied at the same time. If you have more time, that’s a different story…then do it in steps. But when you don’t have the time I haven’t found any issues to speak of with these particular products.

After cleansing, makeup removing and toning in one great step with a great multi-tasking cleanser such as MD SkinCare All in One Facial Cleanser with Toner… I’m now already to jump to treatment, repair, hydration, and sun protection in the next step. I take my Philosophy Turbo Booster C Powder and mix it right into my Jan Marini Daily Face SPF Sun Kissed Sand spf30 and apply.

Voila! My face is now brightly cleansed. In addition, with my Jan Marini Daily Face Sun Kissed SPF30 and Philosophy Booster combo, I’ve moisturized, anti-aged with vitamin C and antioxidants, applied a beautiful sun kissed color with ample sun protection to my face and neck in less than five minutes with . I apply a little mascara, a stroke or two of blusher and smooth on the lip color of my choice and I’m off….

Now what are my girlfriends going to complain about??? Oh I better set out something to wear the night before!! Hehehe!

An amazing kit I would have customized had Philosophy not beat me to it!

Karen — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 05:24:00 GMT

Nothing shouts "a great pick me up" quite like a superb all inclusive skincare kit. If I could create one myself it would have an excellent cleanser, a firming and lifting serum, a jar of moisturizer, a top notch eye and lip firming product and a chemical peel to kick all of it in gear.

Believe it or not Philosophy has a kit just like this! And Philosophy is a great brand so not only is it what I would customize in terms of choosing individual products it's also well known, highly respected in this biz, and an incredibly effective skin care line.

Philosophy Makeup Optional Skincare Kit for Radiant Skin is my dream come true custom made kit. It comes with an 8oz bottle of Purity Made Simple Facial Cleanser, a one oz bottle of When Hope is not Enough Firming and Lifting Serum, two ounces of Hope in a Jar Moisturizer; a 0.5oz Hope in a Tube High Density Firming Eye and Lip Firming Cream, and three single use Microdelivery Peels.

The cost of this dream come true kit for radiant gorgeous skin is only 78 bucks yet is a 129 dollar value. I'd call it priceless...cause that's how great your skin will look. Many users of this kit say their skin is so much more radiant, clear and gorgeous that after a few weeks use they now wear little or no makeup! I concur. It feels so great to go somewhere with just a clear clean youthful and bright skin and nothing else. Well in my case I hit my lashes with a little mascara and my lips with a light pink stain and I'm ready to go! I'm so in love with this kit.

I think I'm gonna customize a few kits for all of us. I'll choose the best regimen for a number of concerns. However, you'll just need to remember that they won't be in one kit and will be designed with more than one line but I will have known each of the products very well and know what they would work well together. This is going to be fun. I'm going to put together very common ones such as skin types and issues; but I'd also like to customize some for you as well fo whatever your individual regimen issues

Repackaging of Perricone MD means Big Savings for Customers!

Karen — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 05:30:00 GMT

There are only a couple of things that could steer me from finishing a series or knocking it out of sequence. And that would have to be the sale of the century. If you like Deal or No Deal just check out the savings on Perricone MD going on right now at SkinStore.com! You will definitely choose the right case!!!

Shoppin,’ feelin,’ and lookin’ fabulous…it’s what dreams are made of. For me it doesn’t get any better than that! And to add to my euphoria of feeling and looking better than I have in years I purchased every Perricone MD product at a 50% savings or more! Perricone MD is one of the most credible brands on the market today. Imagine picking up the five star rated MD Perricone Advanced Face Firming Activator for $53.99 as opposed to the retail price of $120? Well right now you can at SkinStore.com. So let me guess? You’re wondering why or how they can do this? Well luckily for us from time to time manufacturers will want to get older stock off the shelves (even though it is still perfectly effective with plenty of shelf life remaining), want to change packaging even though the product is the same, and/or the brand decides to allow retailers to sell for less.

So to sum repackaging up in a nutshell:

• Same product different box.
• Manufacturer wants to get the old stock off the shelves.
• Manufacturer allows the products to be sold at a discount.

A veritable formula for success!

SkinStore.com was apparently able to apply this formula and pass the precious Perricone MD savings on to their valued customers. And that would be US!!!

As a longtime beauty expert the one thing I know is a great line of products. I know ingredients, efficacy, take note of insight from other users, have read clinical trials and looked into the integrity and the experience of the founder of the line and the brand itself.

Perricone MD meets every one of my high ideals and standards; as well as many other experts I’ve spoken to in the business. Not only in the traditional treatment of the skin from the outside penetrating inward, but from the inside (via nutrition and supplements) to the outside of the organ as well. The result is whole beauty. And whole beauty results in a healthy, gorgeous, youthful, brilliant and vibrant skin and complexion for you.

There are quite a few Perricone products on sale during this SkinStore special sale but I’m only going to name a few below so I can get this article entered in my blog before they sell out or the sale expires because I really want to turn my readers onto this incredible find!

So I say we take advantage of this incredible opportunity in the beautiful name of repackaging and remember that it’s all about the savings for us

But before I wrap it up…I really wanted to share with you some words used by customers who have rated and reviewed some of the Perricone products. I’ve never seen so many 5 Starred rated products in my life!

A+ product! Must See to Believe!!! Leaves skin perfect! Love it!
Worth Every Penny! Highly Recommended! Really Firms and Lifts!

Firming Neck Therapy
Was $95 Now $41.99
(NV118)

Men’s Total Facial Repair
Was 95 Now $37.99
Buy this for him!!!
(NV119)

Neuropeptide Firming Moisturizer
Was $280 Now $119
How cool is that???
(NV095)

Skin Clear Hydrator
Was $55 $23.99
(NV103)

These are just a few of the items you can get right now during this incredible sale. Just get online fast because I don’t know how long these products will last! If the rest of their customers are like me…that Perricone MD is precious cargo and it’s going to get snagged up quicker than you can say SkinStore.com!

Colorescience Crème de la Crème Foundation Primer is my New Obsession!

Karen — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 04:05:00 GMT

I’m obsessed with a new product. It’s Creme de la Creme Foundation Primer by Colorescience and it works incredibly well and is so flipping good for your skin! Check this out…its “primary purpose is to lift, shape and smooth skin texture.” Now that’s what I’m talkin’ bout!

Colorescience Creme de la Creme Foundation Primer comes in several shades and may be worn alone but it was created to work synergistically with pressed mineral powders. I use it with loose minerals but that’s because I’m hooked on loose powder however, I’ve never tried pressed so I may be even more impressed with this product when I finally do.

I checked out the ingredients list and I can tell you I had no idea a foundation can be so chocked full of ‘good for you skincare’. And if that’s not impressive enough it’s also considered as a natural product due to it’s high concentration of quality botanicals and very low level of harsh chemicals.

Keep in mind that you absolutely can wear Crème de la Crème Foundation Primer alone and your face will look beautifully flawless; but when used along with pigmented minerals your skin will look photo finish perfect!

Say Farewell to Discoloration with Nia24 SkinCeuticals Decleor and More!

Karen — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 19:33:00 GMT

Yesterday was my niece’s 30th birthday so I sent her a little birthday picture text message. Of course I had to comment on the big 3-0 but also couldn’t resist mischievously attaching a little picture of her when she was a baby donning nothing but a little t-shirt with the words “all natural!”

She called back immediately with a “Thanks Aunt! That’s pretty funny!” However, as much as she appreciated the little birthday wish she quickly realized she was talking to Aunt Karen who is not only her wonderful Aunt…but more importantly her wonderful Aunt who knows all about and has beaucoup beauty products! LOL However, I have to say the segue’ was rather ingenious. She very wisely took her new milestone of a birthday and worked that right into her newly found fine lines and dark spots. Her main concern being the latter of the two.

Of course, I told her I would help with her concerns; but couldn’t help but ponder the fact that she mainly wanted the dark spots to go away. I say that because so many people don’t realize that’s virtually the number one concern in terms of anti-aging around the globe. More women are more concerned with discoloration and hyper pigmentation than wrinkles. I happen to be in the minority with the focus of my concern on wrinkles over any of my hyper pigmentation but the facts are that’s not how most women feel. Additionally, I’ve had many men complain about discoloration as well. More men ask me about what they can do about dark circles under their eyes and the spots on the backs of their hands than women do.

Anyway Julie says that the “melasma (she got during her pregnancy 6yrs ago) seems to be creeping back.” I told her that first and foremost sun prevention with a high SPF broad spectrum sunscreen/sun block is key. Additionally she should wear a hat or visor in the sun. However, a visor isn’t enough for many women and girls because the part in the hair can get severely burned and how often do we remember to put sunscreen on our part?

I decided that for Julie a hydroquinone product wouldn’t be ideal even though it’s very effective for hyperpigmentation. But for my little natural (half Italian-half Vegetarian…her self description when she was 6yrs old to a passenger seated near us on a plane) niece, potential toxicity wouldn’t be an option. So I thought of all my favorite skin brightening regimens and specialized discoloration products that were more organic in nature or more of a natural alternative to hydroquinone yet still are extremely effective.

Below are my picks for the best skin whitening regimens and products I’ve used or researched and highly recommend (additionally to the best of my knowledge they contain no hydroquinone).

Best Regimen:
SkinCeuticals Skin Brightening System

Best Moisturizer with lightening properties:
Nia24 Intensive Recovery Complex

Best for Dark Skin Tones:
RX for Brown Skin Absolute Radiance Intensive Exfoliating Serum

Best Whitening Night Cream:
Decleor Aroma White Night Cream

Best Brightening Cleanser:
Sothys W Foaming Cleansing Creme

Best for Dark Scar Marks:
ScarGuard Lightener

Best Travel Kit for Hyperpigmentation:
IS Clinical Hyperpigmentation Travel Kit

Best Brand for their Whitening Line:
Euoko