Search results matching tags 'complexion', 'makeover', and 'Dry Skin'

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!

Emu Oil is Excellent...and it's found in Dr. Dennis Gross All In One Tinted Moisturizer SPF15!

Karen — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 02:51:00 GMT

The only thing I love more than a skin care multi-tasker is a skincare multi-tasker with Emu oil!

Emu oil’s benefits have long been known throughout the world for many ailments including skin conditions. It has been shown to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, moisturize and soften the skin. It is also used as an effective dermal carrier as it has been proven to be one of the fastest and most penetrating oils into the skin. I love when I find skin care and beauty products that formulate emu oil into them.

Dr. Dennis Gross products use this amazing oil in their Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare (previously known as MD Skincare) All In One Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15. This fabulous moisturizer comes in Medium and Dark. I use the medium tint and I’m a blue eyed blonde.

Product’s benefits include providing essential moisture with sun protection along with imparting beautiful sheer color facilitating a beautiful skin tone and also firms, smoothes and improves skin texture and appearance of age.

This product is not only a win-win it’s a win-win-win!!! As stated previously, I love Emu Oil and I love a great multi-tasker!

More Big Bucks Beauty Savings with iS Clinical and Kinerase!

Karen — Thu, 13 May 2010 20:53:00 GMT

More great deals! The other day I wrote about great inexpensive products that are comparable to expensive ones. Then once I got started on it I realized how many I wanted to share with you and knew it would take more than one article. So today I’m excited about sharing a few more!

SkinCeuticals Advanced Brightening System is an amazing regimen for correcting and lightening up sun-damaged skin. It’s a five product regimen that not only corrects but also protects. It costs $295 but is a $392 value. If you can spend three hundred dollars you’ll absolutely love this system. However, if you can’t there are definitely some great alternatives for less.

Check out:

Kinerase Photofacial Sun Damage Reversal Kit $100 ($143 value!)

And/or

iS Clinical Hyperpigmentation Travel Kit $130 ($195 value)

Both kits are exceptional systems for treating sun damage, aging, texture and skin tone!

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!

TNS Essential Serum = Youthful Bliss!

Karen — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 17:18:00 GMT

I always forget about how much I love SkinMedica’s TNS Recovery Complex until I see this rep for SkinMedica and his incredible skin. I only see him about two times a year and every time I do I pony up the dough for the amazing serum. Then I seem to get my skin looking great but start using other less expensive products in hopes that I will maintain the gorgeous peaches and cream skin that I had just reinstated. Problem is other serums just don’t pack quite the same punch and I end up wishing I would have just stayed on the TNS bandwagon.

Well, now that I’ve finally figured all that out the proverbial plot just thickened! Now SkinMedica has paved the way for even a more incredible TNS concoction by offering TNS Essential Serum. Within one container they’ve placed TNS Recovery Complex and APS Corrective Complex which is a potent mixture of antioxidants, peptides and other anti-aging ingredients.

Here are the documented benefits of SkinMedica's Products TNS Essential Serum:

• Nouricel-MD helps improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and the overall tone and texture of the skin.
• Smoothes and tightens skin.
• Strengthens the skin's natural ability to regenerate itself.
• Fights against environmental damage.
• Brightens and lightens age spots.

This is the new and improved dynamic duo of youthful bliss!

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.

Turbo Time Saving Regimen! Brought to you by Philosophy Booster!

Karen — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:04:00 GMT

Lately I’ve been so busy I’ve had to formulate some time saving ideas. My friends say I take too long to get ready to go somewhere…which isn’t true (in my opinion...lol)…but just on the slight chance that they’re correct, I decided to see what I could do to speed things up a bit in the bathroom.I realize my guidelines for layering products within your regimen has always been to go from thinner serums to thicker creams. Now obviously, that’s after cleansing and toning if you use a toner/clarifier. However, I’ve found recently with my new and improved quicker me that many serums, lotions and creams may indeed be blended together and applied at the same time. If you have more time, that’s a different story…then do it in steps. But when you don’t have the time I haven’t found any issues to speak of with these particular products.

After cleansing, makeup removing and toning in one great step with a great multi-tasking cleanser such as MD SkinCare All in One Facial Cleanser with Toner… I’m now already to jump to treatment, repair, hydration, and sun protection in the next step. I take my Philosophy Turbo Booster C Powder and mix it right into my Jan Marini Daily Face SPF Sun Kissed Sand spf30 and apply.

Voila! My face is now brightly cleansed. In addition, with my Jan Marini Daily Face Sun Kissed SPF30 and Philosophy Booster combo, I’ve moisturized, anti-aged with vitamin C and antioxidants, applied a beautiful sun kissed color with ample sun protection to my face and neck in less than five minutes with . I apply a little mascara, a stroke or two of blusher and smooth on the lip color of my choice and I’m off….

Now what are my girlfriends going to complain about??? Oh I better set out something to wear the night before!! Hehehe!