Beauty Research

Bieux Skin BioNaturals gets an A+!

Karen — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 19:20:00 GMT

Want an anti-aging skincare line that is paraben-free, silicone-free, fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and cruelty-free? Have I ever found one for you! Not only does it boast the fore-mentioned attributes it is also great for all skin types including sun damaged skin, acne-prone, rosacea-prone and highly sensitive skin. I suppose it makes sense that it's a great line for sensitive skin considering its fragrance, silicone and paraben free. But the best part? It works and works well! I'm in...(read more)

Tip of the Season: Purchase Holiday Gift Sets for Yourself!

Karen — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:23:00 GMT

One of my favorite things about Christmas time is getting my hands on all the holiday gift sets available. You get to try (touch, smell, feel, see how they work, etc.) a bunch of the brand's products at once, often get a gift with purchase, adorable packaging for bathroom counter or dresser display, and you get a significant savings to boot! Check out these treasures just to name a few! My pick for the man or woman who wants the best in anti-aging: MD Skincare Demand Results Kit My pick for the...(read more)

Cute Jeans at a Reasonable Price?!?

Karen — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 18:30:00 GMT

I love the new jeans I wore out the other night by True Religion. The fit is called Joey Disco Big T . They fit like a glove! Problem is they don't belong to me. I borrowed my best friend's pair. I want a pair so badly but they are $262 bucks. How can I tell myself that's ok? I mean I’m sure they'd last forever but would I rather buy like three or four pairs that wouldn't fit like that or do I take the plunge and just get one pair that I feel pretty darn sassy in? Does anyone...(read more)

Take Neutrogena Along!

Karen — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 20:06:00 GMT

I'm getting ready to fly to Utah for Thanksgiving and all of a sudden I realized how rough that cold weather is going to be on my dry skin. I decided to pack my little 3oz. airline friendly containers with the best in hydrating and moisturizing products I could think of. This time I chose everything within the same line. It's the best line for both my skin and my budget for travel during this holiday season. I chose Neutrogena brand as my official travel line! For about ten bucks I went with...(read more)

Dynamic Skincare Duo!

Karen — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 22:30:00 GMT

I'm so excited about a new pair of products I stumbled onto for polishing, luminating and revitalizing my skin. I feel like I have Renee Zellweger cheeks! The dynamic duo are by Peter Thomas Roth and are sold separately but I feel using the two of them in tandem is paramount for optimum results. First use PTR Radiance Oxygenating Masque . It's very simple to use and only takes about ten minutes. It's foamy in consistency and is easily removed with water. After patting the skin dry use...(read more)

Gorgeous Hands in a Month!

Karen — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 21:21:00 GMT

Genetics are so strange. My sister has long gorgeous nails but has had a heck of a time with dental issues throughout her life whereas I on the other hand have broken little thin nails, but have rarely had so much as a cavity. I suppose inheriting my Mom's genes in this instance was luckier than my sister inheriting my Dad's. However, I was still left with thin short fingernails that rarely looked good even with a manicure. I decided last month I would search high and low for the best hand...(read more)

A new face-lift!

Karen — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 02:46:00 GMT

Lately my new thing is finding the perfect instant and cumulative face-lift serums and treatments. I imagine it's because I'm turning 50 in six months. Or perhaps it's because products are truly getting better. They really work! So all I do is put a new one on each week desperately searching for the end all in non-ablative face-lifts. I have to say I have found a few really great products that do just that. My latest discovery is by a company called Bieux which I had never heard of before...(read more)

Glamtox Peel

Karen — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:35:00 GMT

I love when a website holds your hand when you're unsure what to try. Skincare is no exception. Today I was searching the web for a product by Rodial called Glamtox Peel . A friend had told me that she absolutely loves it. Supposedly it's like a ten-minute facelift (and I have to say I was impressed with her results) so of course I was on a mission to find it. She said it was really pricey but well worth it, so I too wanted to try it. I didn't want to spend a bunch of money but at the...(read more)

Minimize Those Pores!

Karen — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 22:40:00 GMT

Everyone is always asking me to suggest a good pore minimizer. If you're one of the people who live in angst over your large pores I've got the solution for you. The best part is it doubles as a light moisturizer and makes for a user-friendly regimen. It's the perfect hydrator for those with combination to oily skin with large pores. I have extremely dry skin but also have large pores and I love it for pore size reduction along with the additional hydrating effects it provides when used...(read more)

No Longer Be the Last Minute Shopper! Best Beauty Gift This Year!

Karen — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 17:42:00 GMT

Normally I'm the epitome of the "last minute shopper," but I'm not going be this year! I have found the best present ever for my sister and all my girlfriends. It is the ultimate gift on a number of levels. One, it is SkinMedica which is a veritable guarantee of results oriented product satisfaction. Two, it is packaged brilliantly in a keepsake silver box. Three, it includes the cutest little plum colored handbag and four, the two products included in the set make you look gorgeous...(read more)

What Does SPF (Sun Protection Factor) Mean?

Karen — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 16:39:00 GMT

I've been in the skincare industry for close to 30 years and I've never been able to get my arms around the sunscreen SPF (sun protection factor) theory relating to UVB. Obviously I know the importance of sunscreen and definitely use it and encourage and promote it. But in my opinion, from an expert point of view the two widely accepted theories contradict one another. I decided to visit skincancer.org and get some definitive answers once and for all. The website is so comprehensive, informational...(read more)

Gorgeous Stila Eyes!

Karen — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 16:36:00 GMT

My girls are always telling me they hate the way my mascara looks on me. They say it's all clumpy and looks like a bunch of spider legs. As sweet as they are, they have a way of telling me things I'd just as soon not hear. For instance, one time I was driving my car and as I was holding onto the steering wheel my youngest daughter started flicking the fat (or I guess the loose skin where a tricep once resided) under my arms. She was as sweet as can be and I know she didn't mean it as...(read more)

For Hair Loss Treatment Try Massaging the Scalp!

Karen — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 20:39:00 GMT

I just sat through an educational training in men's skincare. I was so impressed with one of the topics the brand rep touched on. She was teaching us about her company's products for thinning hair which has long been a major concern for men in this beauty industry. She was one of the first professionals to explain (or in my opinion), be honest about what triggers hair regrowth. Oftentimes when you're being approached by a salesperson selling balding or thinning hair products, I feel,...(read more)

Stressed Out? Get a Pet!

Karen — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 15:20:00 GMT

My sister's been going through some tough times and depression and anxiety finally weaseled its ugly head into her emotional state of being. Kind of like when your immune system is compromised a simple cold virus will take ya down to chinatown. She didn't want to succumb to anti-depressants so I got online to find some alternatives. The one that seemed to be the most impressive seemed like one she would never go for. I came across a few articles suggesting a sad and lonely human can find...(read more)

Slow Down to Look and Feel Better!

Karen — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:41:00 GMT

Doing taxes are hazardous to your looks, skin and your well-being. I'm frazzelled. I stayed up half the night doing my taxes and I swear I look like I've aged 20 years. It made me realize when we do things in a rush we not only feel bad, but sometimes look horrific as well. The point I'm trying to make is to really try and slow down. There is definately something to the saying, "take time to smell the roses." If I would just incorporate organizational skills into my life I know...(read more)

I didn't recognize a good friend after she had gastric bypass surgery!

Karen — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 21:45:00 GMT

Has anyone known anyone who has had gastric bypass surgery? I was in church last Sunday and ran into my daughter's ex-boyfriend's mother. At first I didn't even recognize her, but at second glance I knew that I somehow knew her. I figured it was my problem with memory and recall since my daughter's death. I've noticed I don't remember names or even faces ever since she passed away. I've read that memory loss is normal in grief and bereavement. However, this time it wasn't...(read more)

Alligator Skin!

Karen — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:44:00 GMT

Somebody help!!! I moved from a Southern California beach to a dry mountain town in Northern Cal. I can't take how my skin (especially my hands) feels. I tried a lotion from the pharmacy called Gloves in a Bottle but it didn't help. My hands are so seriously dry I'm embarrassed for anyone to touch them. I have some all time favorites that I've ordered but I won't get them until Friday. For my face I always go with Atopalm MLE Skin Repair Kit . The cleanser and cream make my face...(read more)

Think Before You Choose Permanent Cosmetic Treatments!

Karen — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:41:00 GMT

I've noticed with talking to many women the number one reason they head to the cosmetic surgeon's office seems to be when they are depressed or in angst over a recent broken relationship. My suggestion is to wait on doing anything rash. It's been my experience that when a woman gets anything cosmetic (especially permanent treatments) done under duress they are unhappy with the results. Usually it's because they choose to go overboard or get too much. This is the time when their decision...(read more)

Treasure Chest Beauty!

Karen — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:37:00 GMT

Never again will I buy a necklace, bracelet or earrings to accessorize my new outfit. One of my daughter’s best friend’s came over the other day to visit and I noticed she was visibly upset. I asked her what was wrong assuming it was boyfriend trouble but soon found out that wasn’t the case. She had been out shopping for a necklace for her Homecoming dress and couldn’t find one. They either didn’t match her dress or they were way too expensive for her tanning parlor wages. Part of me felt I should...(read more)

For a Lovely Smile, Don't Just Sing in the Shower!

Karen — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 20:57:00 GMT

Why is it flossing is so easy to forget about? Is it because we just don’t feel like doing it, even though we know we should? Or do we just plain forget to do it? If it’s the latter I have a solution. Keep your floss in the shower. For that matter, I would even keep an extra toothbrush and your whitening toothpaste in there as well. I’ve found that if I keep my regular toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste in my bathroom drawer and my floss and whitening products in the shower, I use them more often...(read more)

Help! I'm in Need of a Neck Overhaul!

Karen — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:07:00 GMT

Being a Taurus my best feature is said to be my neck. I’m not so sure I agree. However, I suppose I would have agreed some 20 years ago. Since then, however, the sun, aging, a few extra pounds and gravity has taken its toll. I decided it was time to do some research and find out how I could remedy the shortening of my neck as well as the drooping, wrinkling and even the double chin I never knew I had until I caught a glimpse in a dressing room mirror in a department store. At first I hoped I had...(read more)

Make your own natural body scrub!

Gina — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 17:52:00 GMT

This year is all about natural. Who isn’t in that natural mode? Everyone is recycling, fleeing to the farmer’s market and conserving energy. There are more and more natural lines of beauty products. However, my friend Denise and I decided it would be fun to make our own body scrub. We’ve seen recipes floating around and figured that we could come up with something of our own. So on a chilly and windy afternoon after our book club meeting, Denise and I went about coming up with the perfect natural...(read more)

Calling all Men. Time to Get Groomed and Gorgeous!

Karen — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 21:27:00 GMT

Why is it men can get all irked if their wife gains weight but they can be twice the size they were in they married her? They want us to be pretty all the time, thin, smell good, and manicured from head to toe. Well here's a newsflash for you guys. Take a look at the man in the mirror. You too could use a makeover. I know you think you age gracefully because your grey looks distinguished and your lines look masculine. But the truth is you can slow down the aging process and can look and feel...(read more)

Part Two: An Injectible Filler Gone Bad!

Karen — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 19:11:00 GMT

My advice: Never get injectible fillers in an area of thin skin! Of course I knew that's a given on one level. But I started hearing how the technique of injectibles was getting so precise and how they were now doing areas that used to be contraindicated but that you needed to get a practitioner experienced in injecting those areas. One of the areas I wanted filled was the lines underneath my eyes. Botox would effectively treat the lines on the sides of the eyes and above, but not the underneath...(read more)

The Joker Face (Injectible Filler Gone Bad)!

Karen — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 16:51:00 GMT

As much as I love Botox and injectible fillers I still have to agree with the too much of a good thing or the “no expression” look. It’s just awful to see someone who can’t smile or show expression in their forehead. After all it’s how we read people and we can see how they’re feeling. I’ve never had an extremely bad result but I have had some complications. One time I was offered free filler by a rep who needed to teach a medi- spa how to inject from the inside of the mouth instead of the typical...(read more)