Search results matching tags 'scientific skincare', 'circulation', and 'skin care specific to men'

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!

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!

Decleor Makes You Light On Your Feet!

Karen — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 20:03:00 GMT

You know how some days you sort of feel the gravity of the world pulls you down more than other days? Like your body and particularly your legs feel extra heavy? And then other days you may feel light as a feather and have much more energy?

That to me is called “heavy legs.” And by that I don’t mean the literal sense of the word ‘heavy.’ I don’t mean they each weigh more than any other day; I mean they just feel like they do!

For those days (in fact in my opinion…every day) Decleor brand offers a couple of amazing Decleor body products called Aromessence Circularome Stimulating Body Serum and Aroma Dynamic Refreshing Toning Gel.

Decleor Aromessence Circularome Stimulating Body Serum is a natural product which uses the incredible properties and benefits of aromatherapy. It enhances blood flow and fluid exchange in the peripheral areas. You’ll find that after each use your body will unwind and your legs will feel energized, smoother and much lighter. To potentiate these benefits even further follow up with Decleor Aroma Dynamic Refreshing Toning Gel for an even quicker, immediate sensation of comfort, lightness and cooling.

So when you’re ready to feel light as a feather…ready to feel cool, toned and invigorated…check out these two sensational Decleor products.

Decleor products put the Sensation in Sensational!

PTR Unwrinkle...Really does unwrinkle!!

Karen — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 17:23:00 GMT

Yesterday Gina wrote about DDF and how it and some of the long time favorite brands diffuse stronger more aggressive cutting edge technology into some of their anti-aging (and many other issues for that matter) products. It reminded me of Peter Thomas Roth another all time favorite brand of mine.PTR and DDF have long been forerunners in the industry for years. If it weren't for my obsession of trying every product and every brand from A to Z I'd probably still be using one of these (or a combination of both) for my sole regimen. I still love and use a few PTR and DDF products and won’t give them up for all the tea in China. Here are a few of my staples.DDF products offer Mesoinjection Healthy Cell Serum that I use faithfully. It contains potent peptides and amino acids to immediately rejuvenate skin's luminosity while smoothing skin's texture.The best wrinkle products I won’t be without are from PTR products. There is a value kit being sold right now on SkinStore.com that has three of my favorite “UnWrinkle” products. It’s priced right at $68 but is a $138 value. It contains powerful patent pending ingredients that work synergistically to achieve amazing anti-aging results.Peter Thomas Roth UnWrinkle Kit includes:

UnWrinkle, 0.5oz
An exclusive, patent-pending blend of six powerful, highly concentrated, 100% active wrinkle relaxing and anti-aging peptides are combined with vitamins and skin moisturizers to create this wrinkle fighting solution with the highest degree of effective ingredients found in clinical studies.

UnWrinkle Peel Pads, 20 pads
These pads are designed to exfoliate the skin for the superior glow of a professional facial peel, while also preparing the skin to allow treatment products to better absorb into the skin. The result is beautiful, clear, radiant, glowing skin.

UnWrinkle Night, 0.25oz
This state-of-the-art moisturizer is designed to assist in cellular renewal, repair daily environmental damage, restore moisture and revitalize the skin while you sleep. Retinol helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and to normalize sebum production. Leaves skin looking and feeling hydrated, soft, smooth and years younger.

For effective, results oriented “anti-aging” skin care products that successfully accomplish youthful beauty…you must try DDF and PTR!

Aromatherapy Associates gets an A+!

Karen — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 04:55:00 GMT

Lately, you've probably noticed how incredibly into aromatherapy I've been. I keep writing about it because I'm so impressed with it. I remember back when it was kind of poo-poo'd within the industry or at least within the population as a whole. But then I would think; there is indeed absolutely something to correlating scent with memory. For example, some may be turned off by the smell of rubbing alcohol because the smell may make them think of when they got stiches as a child. The smell correlates the pain and the fright response with the scent which then makes them upset or anxious. But then on the other hand a person may correlate the lovely smell of a baked pie or the evergreen of a Christmas tree with a lovely relaxed time with family and from then on when they smell those particular aromas they get relaxed or a feeling of well being and joy.

There is an expert line of products that uses this theory as well as incorporating certain scents, botanicals and floral within essential oils that are known to bring up feelings and physiological reactions that are known for good health and beauty. Aromatherapy Associates is a professional aroma therapeutic line that induces beauty and well being within their professional line of products. Below is some content I copied and pasted from www.SkinStore.com where the line is available to purchase.

Essential Wisdom. Essential Oils.
For over 30 years, Aromatherapy Associates has been creating pure essential oil-based skin care that transforms a daily routine into something luxurious and deeply beneficial.

Since the beginning, Aromatherapy Associates have believed in the most effective and purest way of getting results. They develop skin care products that restore your natural radiance through the rejuvenating properties of essential oils, no matter what your skin type.

A great starter kit for getting aquainted both with Aromatherapy Associates brilliant line of products is the Aromatherapy Associates Travel Essentials set. It comes with four different blends to suit just about all your needs.

Deep Relax Bath and Shower Oil for relaxation.

Revive Morning Bath and Shower Oil for a great pick me up!

Revive Evening Bath and Shower Oil for sensual pampering with uplifting properties.

Support Lavender and Peppermint Bath and Shower Oil for its gentle, soothing and cooling effects.

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.

Superior Serums! Revale’Skin and Obagi…Hand’s down!

Karen — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:47:00 GMT

For Anti-Aging the super serum would have to be REVALESKIN Intense Recovery Treatment. Pricey but well worth it. You’re going to get your money’s worth and you’ll likely feel it’s the best purchase you’ve ever made when it comes to beauty!

It’s 5 star rated and contains the most potent concentration of ingredients for treating anti-aging issues. Revale'Skin, known for its high percentage of the super-antioxidant CoffeeBerry and other natural antioxidants which enhance skin restoration and protect against future attacks from free-radicals.

Benefits along with minimizing lines and wrinkles include reducing redness; stimulate collagen production and health, and evens out skin tone.
Vitamin C has always been a favorite serum of choice and for the ultimate in vitamin C topical therapy you’ve got to check out Obagi Professional C Serum 20% Strength!

Obagi Professional C Serum 20% Strength is another 5 star rated product with amazing benefits due to its superior delivery system resulting in greater penetration to all layers of the skin with a low side effect potential.

• Boosts and maintains normal cellular turnover
• Builds collagen
• Lightens and brightens the skin
• Reduces inflammation
• Decreases trans-epidermal water loss

If I were to only be allowed to use or choose one serum (ever) I would choose this one. Hand’s down! To me, vitamin C topical skin therapy is the ultimate multitasker with proven results when the brand uses the optimal delivery system and a strong potency. This one does indeed! In fact, all Obagi products are superior when it comes to delivery and potency.

Next week we’ll take a look at targeted treatments and serums for oily and congested skin, hyper-pigmented skin, rosacea and redness, and dehydrated skin.

H2o Plus is a plus for us!

Karen — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:58:00 GMT

I rarely buy products because of their names or packaging. Well maybe I’m a slight sucker for packaging! LOL Especially if it’s perfume but that makes sense to me. After all perfume is often placed on dressers or bathroom counters for display and easy access.

But a couple of weeks ago I have to say I gravitated towards a skincare brand just because I liked the name. I just felt like the name spoke volumes.

H2O Plus brand reeled me in just like a sport fisherman with a marlin on his hook! But seriously, how could a person with dry skin go wrong with a product that screams hydration? So needless to say I ordered and I ordered big. Never tried a sample, never had a conversation about it with any other professional and quite frankly I didn’t even research the ingredients which is something I always do.

Well call it my gut instinct or their mission to hydrate us but whatever the reason I succumbed. And boy am I ever glad I did!

H2O claims to work because it’s a brand from the sea and the unique thing about the sea is that it claims the same composition as our body. Thereby working the chemistry we share with the big blue to optimize the health and vitality of our skin.

I have got to tell you….there is definitely something to this. My skin is gorgeously vitalized. It’s just down right radiant. I am so pleased with my H2O Plus products. You’ve got to check it out! Here’s what I’ve tried so far:

H2o Plus Eye Oasis Moisture Replenishment Treatment

H2o Plus Natural Spring Moisture Boosting Body Balm

H2o Plus Sea Mineral Mud Mask

Oh and by the way…the bottles are so cute and pleasing to the eye that they too share counter space with my pretty perfume bottles!

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!!!