Search results matching tags 'spa' and 'sun spots'

CosMedix Corrects!

Karen — Wed, 05 May 2010 06:36:00 GMT

After yesterday’s CosMedix article I got so many great responses about this brand that I thought I ought to tell you all about an incredible kit from this phenomenal company.

CosMedix Correct Kit is a retinol based regimen that is mega skin brightening and a complete skin correction program. It comes with an amazing cleanser called Benefit Clean that calms and protects the skin. It also has Affirm which is an antioxidant serum that dramatically reduces free radical damage. Additionally, it includes Define which is a vitamin A resurfacing treatment. And lastly an outstanding hydrator called Hydrate+ which not only moisturizes but also protects with an spf 17.

CosMedix is extraordinary!!

Moor mud please!! Black for Dramatic Beauty! The Beauty Ingredients Snob...part 3!

Karen — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 21:42:00 GMT

Today we step away from the academic side of the Beauty Ingredients Snob series to talk about straight up beauty. Today is all about beauty, drama and more beauty! Well I suppose that’s not entirely true because I suppose the ingredients in these products play an important role as well. If they didn’t, we wouldn’t get the dramatic results we get with them.

We all know our little black dress is an important a piece of our wardrobe…but there are also beauty products revolving around black that are just as crucial. When we pull out our little black dress…we want to be stunning…this holds true for some of the black beauty and skin care products I’m going to share with you today.

Black tea is amazing for fighting free radicals, anti-aging, and eye puffiness. My favorite anti-oxidant duo is by Juara products. Juara All Things Sweet Black Tea Set contains a moisturizer and eye creme that are brilliant!

Black pepper is a one way ticket to stimulating circulation and is used in many cellulite reduction products. Thalgo Aromaceane Slender is a primo example!

Black orchid and black violet are often scents and notes used in perfumery. Lovely fragrance! For instance check out Calvin Klein Euphoria Eau de Parfum for a great example!

Black currant protects skin and is also hydrating. My favorite black currant product is the aptly named Ole Henriksen Black Currant Complexion Oil.

Black moor mud has so many amazing therapeutic benefits that it would take a whole article (or three) on itself alone to even give it its due justice. Suffice it to say…it works! Just for the sake of letting you know how amazing it is I will sum it up in two words. Repairs Skin! My favorite moor mud product is by Kerstin Florian. You will be simply and categorically sold when you try it. Kerstin Florian Thermal Mineral Moor Mud Mask is by far one of the best mineral masks on the planet. Buy this black product! Wear your black dress! And hit the town tonight!

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!

GlyDerm, Cor and Tracy Martyn...Cleansers You Can Count On!

Karen — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:31:00 GMT

For the best value when it comes to cleansers for all skin types (including sensitive) check out GlyDerm Gentle Cleanser2%. It effectively cleanses the skin and leaves it soft and smooth. It beautifully improves the texture and tone of your skin and deep cleans your pores without stripping away the mantle.

For an overall top of the line cleanser that does it all check out Tracie Martyn Amla Purifying Cleanser. It’s natural, clarifying and brightening, not over-drying and helps to correct uneven complexion. It even treats and prevents blemishes. It’s a little on the pricey side but well worth it! Actually beyond worth it!!

For the clearest complexion imaginable try Cor Silver Soap. The active ingredients in this incredible cleanser actually contain silver, sericin, collagen and chitosan which reach deep below the surface killing bacteria, minimize wrinkles, fades sun spots and even has UV protection! Its little slogan is Foam, Rinse, and Glow! And rightly so!

Z. Bigatti Restoration Cream is Amazing! Part two...The Reviews!

Karen — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:28:00 GMT

Yesterday I wrote about Z.Bigatti Re-Storation Skin Treatment which was one of the first "all-in-one" facial cream's. This incredible brand has taken the guesswork and time out of a premium skin care regimen making it a must have for those of us who want results oriented, condition targeted skincare without the many steps of layering on serums and other treatments prior to moisturizing. This rich moisturizing cream does it all! A great option for men who are even more finicky about keeping it simple.

Here's a bullet list of expectations I can virtually guarantee you'll see if you use Z. Bigatti Skin Restoration Cream and or any of the Re-storation Collection. The Z. Bigatti Re-Storation Cream also comes in a large 8oz size which though expensive is still an incredible value considering the huge amount of product, how far it goes and how incredibly well it works.

Z. Bigatti Restoration Cream’s incredible list of ingredients accomplishes an array of skincare needs. With daily use both morning and evening this is what you can expect:

Reduction of fine lines and wrinkles
A firmer and smoother skin
A refined clarity and tone
A reduction in pore size
An increase in skin elasticity
An exfoliation of dead skin cells
Stimulation of cell turnover
A brilliant balance of moisture
Rejuvenation of stressed skin
A dewy luminescent glow

So in one easy step and only one product Z. Bigatti Restoration Cream repairs, nourishes and protects the skin. Now that’s what I call cost-effective!!!

And if you would like to hear the opinion of others....here's just a few! There are dozens and dozens of them just like these below:

Jane W.

Overall Rating

5 5

“Worth the price” -July 29, 2008

My skin has never looked this good. I am so happy with this wonderful little jar.

Patty

Overall Rating

5 5

“Get What You Pay For” -July 22, 2008

I always say, you get what you pay for. With this treatment you may pay a bit more but you get both a day and night cream with amazing ingredients that not only nourishes my skin but also provides a amazing glow. I can tell the difference when I use this product.

MariAna

Overall Rating

5 5

“Truly Remarkable - It Works!” -May 22, 2008

I started using the cream a few years ago and was extremely pleased - costly but very effective - but in my quest for perfection have left it in the dust and after trying many other expensive creams have now given my final devotion and forever loyalty back to the one and only Z. Bigatti - have aslo used other products in the line and was always extremely pleased.

Shelly J

Overall Rating

5 5

“LOVE THIS” -April 23, 2008

I really like this product and use it at as night cream. When I wake up my skin looks GREAT. IT is gentle enough to use after retonol treatments and still helps with my acne.

Lori

Overall Rating

5 5

“one of the best” -February 8, 2006

I have tried a lot of things including La Mer, Strivectin, Kinerase, SK-II, Remede, TNS Recovery Complex and True Idebenone. Z Bigatti is still one of the best moisturizers I have ever used and its the one I keep coming back to. Will I continue to try new products? Of course! But I will always have a permanent stock of this.

christopher

Overall Rating

5 5

“amazing” -October 16, 2008

I have been a consumer of Skin Store for years,I rely on reviews.I bought this treatment based on reviews and after years of being at the top of a lot of beauty editors "must have" lists I gave it a try.Read the reviews.This is an amazing line and treatment,A MUST HAVE!!

Z Bigatti is Incredible! Part One!

Karen — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 06:46:00 GMT

I realized today I haven’t written about Z.Bigatti in a very long time…in fact, I may have never. I always forget about how great Z. Bigatti Restoration Cream is because it’s on the pricey side so I haven’t used it in a very long time.

However, I noticed it was on sale today at SkinStore.com and it reminded me of how much I used to love it and decided to order it again.

On the one hand it is a little pricey, but on the other it’s well worth it. Additionally it’s a great multi-tasker and lasts a very long time which makes it a much better value than the sting of the price when first purchased.

Its one of the most results oriented products on the market and has been for a very long time. However, when you see 500 bucks for an 8oz jar it kind of freaks a normal person out. But 8ozs is actually a very large jar. Most anti-aging multi-tasking moisturizers are usually a one oz size and are often a hundred bucks.

The good news is Z. Bigatti Restoration Cream also comes in a two ounce jar and is normally $155 but is now on sale at www.SkinStore.com for $125.67. Now remember that’s a 2oz jar which would make it only about 63 dollars an ounce. That’s a great deal and a much better value than what one would consider a less expensive product. Not to mention you only use a pea size amount and it should last about 10 weeks.

Z. Bigatti Restoration Cream’s incredible list of ingredients accomplishes an array of skincare needs. With daily use both morning and evening this is what you can expect:

Reduction of fine lines and wrinkles
A firmer and smoother skin
A refined clarity and tone
A reduction in pore size
An increase in skin elasticity
An exfoliation of dead skin cells
Stimulation of cell turnover
A brilliant balance of moisture
Rejuvenation of stressed skin
A dewy luminescent glow

So in one easy step and only one product Z. Bigatti Restoration Cream repairs, nourishes and protects the skin. Now that’s what I call cost-effective!!!

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