Search results matching tags 'skin repair' and 'skincare guides'

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!

Ready for some good beauty news? Try SkinCare-News!

Karen — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 18:16:00 GMT

I sure love SkinCare-News.com. Has anyone read that web magazine lately? I’ve mentioned it and/or linked it a time or two over the last couple of years because it’s been a great resource for research…but I don’t think I’ve ever written specifically about what a great magazine it is.

SkinCare-News is a fun and strong informational beauty magazine and it’s free! It’s accessible 24/7 and it suggests great products to try.

This stellar beauty read offers everything from great articles, reviews, interviews from experts within the industry, scientific research to FAQ’s and easy to navigate online shopping.

Kudos to the great writers and staff at SkinCare-News! I love your magazine and I’m sure my Beauty Research readers will too!

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!

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.

Beauty Research People’s Choice Product Awards! Find out which beauty products and brands win! Part One!

Karen — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 03:56:00 GMT

I love sharing with you my favorite products for each skin type, condition, indication, and concern but with all the awards shows lately I’ve realized I haven’t spent much time writing about you (the customer’s) favorites. So I looked at every beauty website, magazine, product review and any other professional resource I could get my hands on to give you a list of favorites that you (the beauty public) all list as your favorites. The cool thing about most award shows is oftentimes the award goes to whomever their peer chooses to be the best. For instance, the Teen Choice Awards or the American Music Awards go to whom the public votes for. And the Academy Awards are voted for by academy members who are either actors themselves or in some way work within the movie making business which makes the honor even that much more special for the winner. It’s not just someone up there deciding who they themselves think deserve it. It’s decided amongst their peers. So today I give to you the Beauty Research People’s Choice Product Awards. You (or just regular consumers like you) have all in some way or the other helped me choose the following awards!

Due to the many awards I will be splitting the winners into a three part series. Today will be Cleansers and Moisturizers.

And the “Beauty Research People’s Choice Product Award” Goes To….

Best Cleanser for Oily Skin:
Philosophy Never Let Them See You Shine Cleanser

Best Cleanser for Dry Skin:
Korres Materia Herba 3 in 1 Cleansing Emulsion

Best Cleanser for Normal Skin:
Cor Silver Soap

Best Cleanser for Sensitive Skin:
Osmotics Calming Cleansing Milk

Best Moisturizer for Oily Skin:
Avene Cleanance Anti Shine Regulating Lotion

Best Moisturizer for Dry Skin:
Pevonia Rejuvenation Dry Skin Cream

Best Moisturizer for Normal Skin:
MD Formulations Moisture Defense Antioxidant Creme

Best Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin:
Abella Facial Moisturizer Cell Renewal Formula

Give the Gift of Well-Being with Aromatherapy!

Karen — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 03:36:00 GMT

I had such a nice response from our readers about yesterday’s aromatherapy article that I thought I’d write a little more today about it. I thought I’d share with you all what type of reaction is provoked by certain essential and precious oils’ individual scents. Additionally I will list my favorite brands that use aromatherapy for its beneficial therapeutic effects as well.

Keep in mind there are many uses for aromatherapy other than skincare. Also keep in mind that they need to be used correctly in order to be effective and safe. This is just a brief overview of some uses in skin, bath and body care. Additionally, there is a lot more to this science such as blending, using the correct carrier oils, using quality ingredients and much more.

Therapeutic Uses for blends:

These are some of the product descriptions I found in Aromatherapy Associates Miniature Bath and Shower Oil Collection when I read about some of the products in the set individually. This is probably going to be the gift I give most this year. It is the most amazing gift that will put a huge smile on the faces of all those on your gift list and it’s under 50 dollars! It’s like the gift of beauty, pampering and health all in one package. It will make whoever receives it feel very special. And that’s what the season is all about!

One blend of Pink Grapefruit, Rosemary and Juniper Berry helps to revive you from feeling sluggish.

Wild Chamomile, Petitgrain and Frankincense blend helps to clear your mind and focus your thoughts.

Geranium, Frankincense and Rose to helps to create a sense of harmony to the body and mind.

Lavender and Peppermint blend will relieve the feeling of being hot and bothered.

Eucalyptus, Pine and Tea Tree are effective in stimulating your senses, and have long been used to clear the head, nose and chest.

Vetivert, Chamomile and Sandalwood instills peace and tranquility.

Geranium, Patchouli and Ylang Ylang blend is perfect for uplifting and energizing.

Here are a few definitions I found on Dictionary.com and Wikipedia.

aromatherapy a•ro•ma•ther•a•py (ə-rō'mə-thěr'ə-pē)

The use of selected fragrant substances in lotions and inhalants in an effort to affect mood and promote health.

Aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicine that uses volatile plant materials, known as essential oils, and similar aromatic compounds from plants, for the purpose of improving a person's mood, cognitive function or health.

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...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.