I fell in love with Fusion Beauty a couple of years ago when I tried Fusion Beauty LipFusion Micro Injected Collagen Color Shine for the first time. This is the most amazing product, combining a lip plumper, gloss and color in one with a natural-looking, non-irritating plumper and subtle glossy color. I really haven’t found anything else I like as much.

Fusion Beauty is probably best known for its lip plumpers but the company makes some other great products. The Fusion Beauty GlowFusion Micro Nutrient Natural Protein Tan Enhancing Emulsion is an amazing self-tanner that sprays on with no mess and develops into a natural, even color that lasts for up to a week.

Then of course there’s LashFusion, a wonder line for those of us who need help creating thick, luscious lashes. And don’t forget LiftFusion, an alternative to injections. It’s not a replacement and won’t give you the same results of course but it comes without the side effects of injections. Lastly, there’s PureFusion, an organic skin care system that delivers vital nutrients to aging skin in order to restore a youthful complexion.

Over the years, Fusion Beauty has developed a whole line of comprehensive skin and cosmetic products. The company has carefully selected products that enhance and improve. The company doesn’t make everything under the sun but rather focuses on specialized products that deliver amazing results.

I don’t know how many times I’ve heard women say they can’t get their husbands or teenaged son’s to wash their face…or if they do it’s with a bar of harsh soap while in the shower and with no proper technique for thorough cleansing and exfoliation. And if their shower is typically in the morning…it would take an act of God to get them to wash their face at bedtime.

Men need a clean, exfoliated face but they are less likely to be proactive or resolute about it. This is why we need to make it easy for them. Or if you’re a guy…I’m going to make it easy for you!

In order for men to have a sexy more youthful appearance they too need to take care of their skin. And I’m not just talking about shaving! Although that definitely helps! I’m talking about a basic regimen (and it can be easy) that consists of cleansing, hydrating, and protecting.

But today we’re going to take baby steps and start with the basics. A clean face! So I thought I’d share with you the easiest most effective tool/product I’ve found for men to achieve a deeply cleansed and healthier face.

ARCONA Efficiency! I chose this cleanser because it’s from the superior brand ARCONA. It’s a bar type soap (which it seems most men prefer), it thoroughly cleans and minimizes pores, maintains the pH balance, is recommended for all skin types and it reduces fine lines and wrinkles! It’s chocked full of antioxidants and is considered a natural product.

Have you tried light therapy yet? There’s definitely been a light therapy craze in the last couple of years with several companies offering an at-home technology that until recently was only available at doctors’ offices and spas. These devices can be a real financial investment and have made some hesitate before purchasing. The most affordable device that I have found is the ANSR Beam. You might wonder how it compares to other light therapy devices like the Baby Quasar and why it’s less expensive.

There are two different kinds of light therapy, blue and red. The blue kills acne-causing bacteria and allows blemished skin to heal. The red helps stimulate collagen production to improve the appearance of aging skin. Devices like the Baby Quasar only offer one kind of light therapy per unit. This means if you want both the blue light and the red light, you need to purchase both units. The ANSR offers both red light and blue light therapy in a single device.

Two in one units offer convenience as well as cost savings. The device even switches on its own and shuts off on its own to deliver both treatments in the time it takes to be effective.

The ANSR Beam does have fewer light heads than the Baby Quasar which cuts down on cost. What this means is that the device must be used twice a day for shorter intervals rather than a couple of times a week for longer intervals as required by Baby Quasar.

You can save 20% off the ANSR right now on SkinStore.com. Spalook.com and Beauty.com also sell the device.

The other day I had one of my daughter’s friends ask me to wax her upper lip. I was hesitant because she only had a fuzzy blonde little batch of hair. I told her no because I didn’t want to cause her undue duress by adding new darker (or possibly thicker) hair to her already stressful (possibly altered) body image. I reassured her it was not visible and I didn’t want to make it worse…but she still seemed stressed over it. I realize that sometimes waxing oftentimes comes back thinner if the whole bulb (or mother part of the hair) is removed but that that doesn’t always happen. I have indeed seen it get worse.

But what it did was make me ponder the stressors of unwanted facial hair. I know I’ve plucked until the cows have come home…but I’m much older than her and truthfully my own experience is why I didn’t want to do it.

Since I was deep in thought about unwanted facial hair I remembered working in the cosmetic dermatology office and all of a sudden I remembered Vaniqa. I remember waxing a young woman who absolutely hated her “mustache.” She was so distraught when I told her I was going to quit and move to Northern California that she actually cried and I seriously wanted to reconsider my resignation and my move. I had no idea how much waxing her unwanted facial hair made her a much happier person. That’s when I shared with her the benefits of Vaniqa.

Vaniqa is a prescription written drug that reduces unwanted hair within 4 to 6 weeks. It is seriously a dream come true for many. It is specifically written for the reduction of unwanted facial hair and you must be counseled by a doctor in order to be sure it’s an option for you. It works by interfering with a hair follicle enzyme which is needed for hair to grow. The result is slower growth and improved appearance where the medication is applied. It is not permanent but is a great tool to help you manage unwanted hair growth. It is a slow process but seems to prove very beneficial for many. Ask your doctor if Vaniqa is right for you. I always purchase my prescriptions from Drugstore.com for ease and the convenience and affordability of shopping online. I’ve always been very impressed with the site. And that along with a reduction in unwanted hair is definitely a win-win!

Oh my gosh! Talk about an upgrade! You can’t beat Clarisonic cleansing system…or so I thought! Now Clarisonic products offer the skin care line Arcona available on SkinStore.com. The famous Clarisonic Mia now comes as an exclusive set combined with the “raved-about” Arcona Magic White Ice and Booster Defense Serum along with the Cordless Mia, an international charger, a sensitive brush head, and a Gentle Hydro Cleanser. All for $149 which is the same price as the other Mia systems but with the amazing ARCONA bonus products included.

As you probably already know the Clarisonic Mia is the smaller sized, on-the-go version of the Clarisonic Classic which is the cleansing tool with ultrasonic power! Think Sonic Toothbrush (albeit for skin)…because they were developed by the same inventor. The technology allows for 2 times the amount of manual cleansing, six times the makeup removal, increases further treatment absorption and much more.

The Clarisonic Exclusive Mia ARCONA Set comes with Arcona Magic White Ice which is a brilliant daily hydrator that moisturizes deep within the dermis and repairs, protects and leaves an unparalleled luminosity to the skin. The Arcona Booster Defense Serum is a facial cocktail of antioxidants which provide amazing anti-aging properties.

This is seriously the best anti-aging tri-fecta on the market!

I promised you all (in yesterday’s blog entry) that today I’d share with you a few of my favorite tinted sunscreens. They are all amazing in terms of color, protection and hydration and even have anti-aging nourishing properties as well. These are the ultimate multi-tasking skin and sun care products.

Quintessence Sunshade SPF 30 Medium Tint
This is broad-spectrum sun protection at its best. It’s formulated with trademarked Z-Cote and contains green tea and vitamins D and E. The color is amazing and there are tints for different skin tones. It’s perfect for use after non surgical facial treatments such as superficial peels and microdermabrasion when sun protection is critical.

Jan Marini Daily Face SPF 30 Sun Kissed Sand
This exceptional sunscreen combines state of the art sun protection with a powerful antioxidant and superb hydrating properties. My all time favorite!

Philosophy Shelter Tinted SPF 30
This antioxidant rich formula provides anti-aging benefits along with moisturizing and soothes the skin. It’s lightweight, provides a matte finish and excellent protection. The tinted color compliments most any skin tone. Amazing sheer coverage!

Abella ColorShade SPF30 + Medium
Abella offers this stellar sun protective tinted moisturizer in four different shades. It’s formulated with green tea extract which offers anti-cancer benefits as well as repairs past UV damage. It may be used alone or blended right into your favorite foundation. It’s perfect for those with sensitive skin.

Want to look amazing at the beach or pool party without looking all made up? I always think it looks cheesy to go to a summertime water type outing with a lot of makeup on…but I also hate looking like a plain jane. My water/sun day beauty fix? A swipe of waterproof mascara and lip stain for my lips and cheeks! And if you like even more than that…I’m also going to tell you about an amazing waterproof eyeliner palette as well. It will add that perfect pop of color to draw out eye color as well as match your swim suit or cover-up for a total detailed look.

In addition, a tinted sunscreen works incredibly well for sun protection as well as replacing the color of melting, running, sometimes unnatural looking foundation. I’ll share with you my favorite one of these as well in tomorrow's blog entry.

My favorite waterproof mascara is It Cosmetics Eyes of Seduction Waterproof Mascara. It’s loaded with collagen, vitamins, amino acids and antioxidants. Due to formulating collagen into the mascara your lashes will be brilliantly volumized and lengthened all the while promoting lash growth. Its smudge and flake proof and is suitable for even the most sensitive eyes. It stays on through a day of swimming and sun.

Also for the eyes is Cargo’s Swimmables Eye Liner Palette. The company refers to it as “Plunge worthy!” It’s a cream to powder formula and is easy to apply. It comes in 5 gorgeous shades to boot!

Lastly I’m crazy for Tarte Lip Surgence Natural Lip Stain! I apply it to my lips and cheeks for the perfect finish. The company also makes a cheek stain which I’m going to try next; however, for now I’ve been using the lip stain for my cheeks and it works beautifully. The product provides incredible moisture and is loaded with anti-aging properties. It is available in a gel or a cream and has been dermatologically tested.

So now you can arrive looking gorgeous and even dive right into that pool and come out of the water looking just as beautiful as when you dove in.

I have learned a thing or two about guys and sunscreen over the years; they really don’t like to wear it and are very fussy about their options. They either complain that it’s heavy, greasy or it smells funny. The problem is that men need to protect their skin just as much as women do. Frequently they are out enjoying activities in the sun and don’t think about the damage they are causing to their skin.

I have found that with persistence, you can convince a guy to wear sunscreen if he has the right product. Here are general rules about men and sunscreen. Of course this is based on my own findings and is certainly nothing scientific:

Rule # 1. Guys prefer sunscreen in a pump or aerosol spray. They typically don’t like to rub on lotions or creams.

Rule # 2. Guys generally shy away from anything that makes their skin feel heavy and greasy. They typically prefer water-based, oil-free products.

Rule #3. Guys don’t like the look of mineral sunscreen. They typically report that mineral sunscreen leaves a powdery makeup look.

Rule #4. Guys don’t like the smell of sunscreens and generally prefer either a fragrance-free variety or one that has a neutral fragrance from a natural ingredient like citrus.

After assembling these general rules, I came up with a list of good options for your man. Just remind him to apply about 30 minutes prior to sun exposure. Trust me when I tell you that he won’t think of that.

Anthony Logistics Sun Spray SPF 15

Topix Sun Shield Spray SPF 30

Kinesys Sunscreen Spray, Fragrance Free, SPF 30

June Jacobs Oil-Free Sunscreen Mist SPF 15

Kiss My Face Sunblock Spray, SPF 30

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!

I know you guys know how much I love Go Smile for teeth whitening because I’ve written so much about it. But I just have to write more today because I just found it on sale at Beauty.com for $39! That’s by far, the best price I’ve ever found. I just ordered two of them.

Go Smile brand has quite a few products to choose from but this particular kit is the Go Smile Advanced Formula B1 pack. It’s easy to use and highly effective. It’s also a great choice for those who are sensitive to whitening products. The term “B1” was lended to the name because it is literally the whitest natural color on the dentist shade guide.

It gives optimum whitening results to natural teeth and also removes stains from porcelain crowns and veneers as well.

My favorite thing about Go Smile Advanced Formula B1 is how quickly you achieve results. Oftentimes results are seen after first use. It’s also so easy to use due to its unique ampoule shape with a soft little brush at the end so you’re able to target the areas you want the most whitening effects.

Thank you Beauty.com for slashing the price of this amazing product. Now everyone can enjoy the benefits and beauty of a gorgeous, bright smile!

Hey everyone. I'm excited to tell you all that Beauty Research now has a page on Facebook. If you're a Facebook member please search for the Beauty Research page and check it out. Also it would be cool to show your support by clicking on the like button when you're there so that you can post to the wall and communicate with us, as well as follow along with all the great news.

We're certainly spreading the beauty word!

Years ago not long after nursing school I worked in a large cosmetic surgeon’s office. One of my duties as a new nurse there was to keep the bins of pharmaceutical samples all organized and up to date (making sure there were none that were expired, etc.). The one thing that always struck me as odd was we had quite a few bins of antidepressants….and I could tell that they were indeed being dispensed. I would ponder the possible reasons (too afraid to simply ask the doctor why we had them, I guess) why we would have them. It made since that we had drugs for acne and other skin conditions but it didn’t quite make all that much sense for me to stock anti-depressants. I figured that perhaps those with severe acne were so troubled by it that they may needed some pharmaceutical intervention but never really knew for sure.

Today I was reading a dermatology journal and it stated a strong correlation between stress, depression and anxiety with a number of skin, hair and nail conditions. It literally stated that we look better when we feel better emotionally. I mean on one level that makes so much sense to me…even a fever blister can rear its ugly head when we’re stressed…but on another level I guess I just didn’t realize how strong the correlation was.

Stress is not only a trigger to some skin conditions it's also a key player in worsening many existing problems such as acne and rosacea. It can impair the barrier function and cause dehydration leaving the largest organ vulnerable to irritants and infectious agents.

The other problem (and I can personally attest to this one) is that when you’re feeling down, nervous or stressed one may tend to neglect the care they would normally give their skin by skipping daily regimens, drinking a little more alcohol, get less sleep and possibly even smoke cigarettes. Those are all one way tickets to abused looking skin.

In a nutshell, it’s simply back to the old adage, "when you feel good…you look good." And depression certainly doesn’t feel good. I’m not saying that anti-depressants are the only answer to stress reduction, but I am saying that it is an option. More than likely though just practicing stress reduction exercises such as yoga and meditation might just be the ticket to feeling beautiful as well as looking beautiful.

Another way to reduce stress is to make your life easier and to make it more affordable which is why I buy all my medications through www.drugstore.com. I don’t have to stand in line at the pharmacy while the pharmacy tech is shouting words like Prozac or Zoloft while everyone in the place is listening (which by the way…have they never heard of HIPPA laws?! LOL) And I get my medications and other pharmacy products at a great savings.

So reduce your stress and be even more beautiful than you already are!

Want to look ten years younger in just a mere New York minute??  Have I got the answer for you!

I recently bought the Personal Microderm Tool Kit and what a great purchase that turned out to be. It literally erased years from my face!

Imagine being able to do your own microdermabrasion treatments at home! You now can…with the amazing Personal Microderm Tool Kit and it’s priced extremely well at $179.00! Some in office treatments cost that much for one. I feel like I’ve already made my money back and then some!

It comes with two different sizes of disc attachments which offer two choices of grits for superb exfoliation. It vacuums the skin into the disc for supreme circulation and even brings new collagen up to the surface. It exfoliates so effectively that any further treatments such as serums and the like absorb in beautifully.

Your skin will be brighter, have less lines and creppiness, less discoloration, and your pores will appear diminished. It also polishes away many scars and leaves your skin smoother and softer than you could ever imagine.

This is my new favorite tool by far! Thank you Personal Microderm!

If only I had a nickel for everytime somebody has asked me what's the best thing they can do to get rid of and prevent razor bumps or ingrown hairs...I'd be rich!! Well, I was never quite lucky enough to collect the nickels each time I was asked but I am thrilled to report that I do now have the answer to the question!

And the answer is...What is Whish Flawless Bump Fighter?! This amazing product from Whish banishes bumps and ingrown hairs quickly and effectively. It also inhibits future growth along with promoting soft, supple and gorgeous skin.

Whish aftershave treatment products offer a collection of the best shaving products for women on the market today. The ingredients are cooling, soothing, moisturizing and they use the best natural ingredients available for effective and highly rated results.

Enjoy your soft, smooth, bump free skin!

 Have any of you guys noticed how SpaLook.com has dramatically improved its look and navigability? I’ve always liked shopping and perusing SpaLook but now I love it! And today I noticed something even more exciting about it. They are offering Spa Loot!
 
Near the top of the homepage you’ll find about a 1/8th of a page ad offering an amazing couple of codes. They are offering $50 off $200 orders or $20 off $100 to be used immediately.  The codes may be used storewide except on some brands/products that may be excluded in offer(s). Additionally, they’ve incorporated a “spa loot” products page to help you get started on some amazing products. But don’t just stop there…as there are many (possibly thousands) of items that aren’t listed on that page but do apply as well. So if you’ve been looking for a particular beauty product or products check them out and see if they apply while the gettin’ is good!

Here are some products listed on the “spa loot” page to give you an idea of how incredible this opportunity is.

Clarisonic Mia Sonic Cleansing System Pink

Go Smile Go All Out Kit

Personal Microderm Tool Kit

I just purchased all three (for me)!!! And now I’m going back to do my gift shopping (for others)!