Search results matching tags 'spa', 'skin care products', and 'Moisturizers'

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!

When it’s Cold and Dry Outside…I’m Crazy for Kerstin Florian!

Karen — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:06:00 GMT

When in the bitter cold...do as the Beauty Researchers do! Treat and protect your dehydrated skin and lips with Kerstin Florian!

I’m so crazy about the moisturizing and soothing properties of Kerstin Florian products that I just had to share a few of my favorite products I use during the cold brutal winter months when I’m in Utah with my daughter or up in the Sierra’s where I used to live.

Kerstin Florian Rehydrating Liposome Night Crème (I use this baby all year long!!):
Nourishes, rehydrates, oxygenates, and rejuvenates!

Kerstin Florian Lip Balm (life saver for lips!):
Orange, peppermint and organic canola oils in wild harvested beeswax with and SPF15. Need I say more? Lips are left brilliantly smooth, soft and moist. Love it!

Kerstin Florian Krauter Chamomile Body Lotion (your skin will drink it up!):

• Aloe leaf juice is healing and soothing.
• Vitamin E provides antioxidant nourishment.
• Chamomile extract is calming and soothing.
• Emollient jojoba seed oil is nourishing, moisturizing and healing.

Kerstin Florian Sun Protection SPF30 Face and Body (never leave home without it!):

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!

Great Gifts for the Guys!

Karen — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 04:15:00 GMT

I realized that even when we do great gifts list (and they are definitely great gifts!) we don’t do enough for what the guys might want. So today I decided to ask my good friend (who is a man) to sample some of the products I had here at my house and also take into consideration any that he’s already used and let me know what he would want. In addition, I told him if he wasn’t experienced with some of them to read the product descriptions and the customers’ reviews as well as take price, packaging and ease of use into consideration and tell me what five he would choose. He hmmm, hawed around griping that he would miss the Laker’s game but after I applied one or two of the creams to his face he succumbed as easily as if a set of gorgeous twins were feeding him Belgium chocolate and rubbing his feet. I felt like I was taking candy from a baby. And then he got really into it and was actually quite informative and helpful with my great gifts for guy’s survey. Here’s Joseph’s Gift Wish List:

5. Billy Jealousy Body Kit Fragrance and body wash kit. He loved the scent! I had to laugh because their slogan for their Illicit products is “For the Sophisticated Bad Boy!” And that description fits this man very well!!

4. Phytomer Homme Lift Performance Remodeling Contouring Concentrate See ya later double chin!!

3. Menscience Travel Kit Perfect all-in-one gift for your man!

2. Clarisonic SkinCare Brush System Gray This man loved this cleansing tool…you can be sure the man in your life will love it too!

1.HairMax Laser Comb All I have to say about this is…he so wants it so bad! He would be happier to walk out to this under the tree than he was when he found the bike Santa Claus left him when he was 7!! I sure hope he was a good enough boy this year so he gets one!

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.

Beauty Kit City! Murad, Juice Beauty...and More!

Karen — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:34:00 GMT

Beauty Research readers are awesome! They (you) are constantly giving me the best beauty ideas to share with all of you and me as well. Last entry was an inspiration from a reader about spa parties (which by the way..there will be more to come soon!) and today someone mentioned beauty kits. I realized I rarely write about kits and yet I love them. So today I give you the ultimate list of beauty kits!

SkinCare Renewal

Murad Resurgence Home Renewal Facial Kit

SkinCare Combination

Juice Beauty Organics To Clear Skin Kit

SkinCare Acne

GlyTone Acne Treatment Kit

SkinCare Men

PCA Skin Trio For Men

Hair Loss Women

Rene Furterer RF 80 Thin Hair Kit

Teeth Whitening

Supersmile Introductory Whitening System

Self Tanning

Fake Bake Self Tanning Lotion Tri Pak

RoC On and Ahava Spa Day!

Karen — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:50:00 GMT

One of my favorite brands for Anti-Aging is RoC! Roc products are affordable and have quality results-oriented ingredients and technology. Roc has been devoted to skincare and anti-aging since its founding in France in 1957.

For tightening and firming aging skin I choose RoC Firming Complete Lifting Serum. It’s a luxurious silky fluid that has an incredible penetration potential. The serum contains Protient, a patented agent that firms, tones and tightens the skin. You’ll usually see results within a week and it costs less than 25 bucks!

For body care I choose mineral rich Ahava! There are so many incredible Ahava products that it was difficult for me to choose which one to share with you today.

But I had to go with Ahava Mineral Bath and Body Collection. After all when I think of minerals I can’t help but think of bath! The kit is an incredible buy at less than 20 dollars at SkinStore.com but is a $47.50 value! Get it soon though because it says limited quantity so I imagine its first come first serve.

The unique blend of 21 essential Dead Sea minerals nourish and treat your skin making it silky soft and wonderfully hydrated.
Kit Includes:

• Mineral Botanic Velvet Cream Wash in Hibiscus and Fig
• Mineral Hand Cream, 1.3oz
• Mineral Foot Cream, 1.3oz
• Mineral Body Lotion, 1.3oz
• AHAVA’s Deluxe Exfoliating Washcloth
• AHAVA’s Deluxe 4’’x 6’’ Photo Memory Box