Beauty411

Boscia Willow Bark To-Go Breakout Treatment

Boscia Willow Bark To-Go Breakout Treatment is a gel-in-a-pen acne product that makes zapping zits convenient and easy.  This slim spot-treatment pen helps to clear up your complexion with several key ingredients.  Willow Bark, a natural beta hydroxy acid, exfoliates skin without irritation, while soapberry peel helps to cleanse and nourish.  This is important, because one of the reasons for acne breakouts in the first place is bacteria and clogged oil glands in the skin.  A combination of antioxidants and vitamins, including Vitamin C and E, help to reduce redness, control oil, maintain a clear complexion and combat free radicals. 

The Boscia Willow Bark To-Go Breakout Treatment is perfect for tucking into a purse or beach bag and carrying with you.  Being from Boscia, it's botanically-based, nondrying, non-irritating and preservative-free. I’ve reached for this product several times when my skin has rebelled from testing new skincare products and found it to work quickly and effectively.

Boscia Willow Bark To-Go Breakout Treatment is available at Sephora, Beauty.com and on the Boscia website.

REN Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask

REN Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask is a great way to kickstart your skin if you've only got 10 minutes and want to look like you've just had a 1 hour facial.  The REN Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask is a potent formulation of of fruit acids (lactic, glycolic, tartaric and citric) and papain enzyme that exfoliate your skin, stimulate cell renewal and leave it glowing.  It also contains Omega fatty acids to help skin heal and repair.  This mask is recommended for dull, mature and congested skin prone to blemishes and blackheads.  If you've got sensitive skin, however, skip this product.

It's recommended that you use the REN Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask weekly, which is what I've been doing.  After applying a generous amount on your face (you can use your hands, but I prefer using a brush), you can smell the citrus and feel a slight tingling.  You leave the mask on for 10 minutes and then rinse off with warm water.  The payoff?  Gorgeous, healthy-looking skin!  Because of it's consistency, it makes a great skincare treatment for summer. 

I'm a fan of the REN line; I've loved every product I've tried and the Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask is no exception.  You can find the REN line online at Bluemercury, Bliss, Sephora and Space.NK.apothecary.

Intelligent Aesthetics Skincare: Smart Skin Care

Intelligent Aesthetics Truth-Based Skin Care is a results-oriented product line that is simple, straightforward and reasonably priced.  The line is founded on values of knowedge, empowerment and transformation.  It's a personalized approach to skin care, based on each woman's skin profile.  You can customize your skin care and select products using an evaluation tool on the Intelligent Aesthetics website. 

There are six skin profiles to choose from:

• Enlighten--For mature skin or environmentally damaged skin.  This is the line I've been using. Packed with antioxidants and lightening agents, I love the refreshing pink grapefruit scent.
• Clear--For acne-prone or irritated skin.  This kit promotes detoxifying and healing and is scented with a special blend of eucalyptus and peppermint extracts.
• Quench--The Quench kit enriches dry skin, including eczema. This line is scented with apple extracts to help reduce redness and irritation.
• Nourish--Designed for those with normal to dry skin, Nourish products are scented with almond, cinnamn and orange extracts.  Nourish also helps to control mild acne.
• Balance--This grapefuit and lemon scented line absorbs oil and reduces excessive oil production.
• Soothe--This line is for those with sensitive skin.  Soothe reduces redness and irritation and is naturally scented with lavendar.

Complete kits contain four basic products, generally a cleanser and skin primer, along with two additional treatment products appropriate to the skin profile.  Products like the Citrus Skin Polisher, can also be purchased separately.  The Citrus Skin Polisher is the #1 seller in the line and it's an excellent exfoliant.  The key ingredient in all of the products is called Synergy IE-6 and is a blend of anti-oxidants Vitamins A, C, E, pomegranate and Canadian Willowherb extracts. 

I've used this line for the past 4-6 weeks and have been really impressed.  Every one of the products I used--the Enlighten Resurfacing Bio-Enzyme Cleanser, Age Management Skin Primer (toner), Radiance Complex and Intensive Skin Brightening Treatment, which is a brightening mask, delivered great results.  I love the fact that the products come in very generous 90 day sizes, are a good value and contain high levels of natural ingredients.  Not only that, if, after 30 days you're not satisfied with the results, Intelligent Aesthetics offers a money back guarantee. If you're looking to try an individualized approach to your skin care, I would suggest giving the Intelligent Aesthetics skin care line a try.  You can get more information on the Intelligent Aesthetics website.

Kinara Skin Care: Effective results

The Kinara Skin Care line was created by Olga Lorencin-Northrup, the skin care expert behind the successful Kinara Spa & Skin Care Clinic in West Hollywood. Starting with the Red Carpet Facial Kit, the line includes cleansers, toners, serums and moisturizers.  A successful combination of the most effective, high potency vitamins, antioxidants, and herbal extracts of uncompromising quality, Kinara’s products will eliminate impurities, diminish pores, reduce fine lines and soften deep ones, moisten and eventually eliminate age spots and other discolorations.

I have been using the Kinara Purifying Cleansing Gel and Re-Balancing Tonic.  Both products are suitable for normal, combination or oily/acne-prone skin (yellow label).  If you are a person that switches skincare from winter to summer, these would be great products to use.  The Purifying Cleansing Gel is light and works into a gentle, foaming lather that doesn't leave your skin feeling stripped or dry.  The Re-Balancing Tonic is a refreshing treatment that helps to unclog and refine pores and helps to prevent break outs.  The Lemon Eucalyptus Hydrator is a light moisturizer that helps to repair, fight free radicals and moisturize skin.  Finally, the Lactic Acid Hydrating Serum is perhaps my favorite product.  Using a combination of lactic and glycolic acids, combined with botanicals, this light anti-aging serum gently exfoliates to help with reducing fine lines and wrinkles. The two words used to describe the skin care line?  Effective results. 

If you've got normal/normal-oily or acne-prone skin and haven't been able to find a skin care system that works, consider the Kinara Skin Care line.  The line also includes products for dry, irritated or sensitive skin (blue label).  You can order Kinara skin care products on the Kinara website and at online retailer Skinwest.

Prom Beauty and Makeup Tips

It's Prom Time! That time of year when young women's thoughts turn to special event dresses, the perfect up-do and how-am-I-going-to-wear-my-makeup?  I've got some suggestions on how to keep your sanity, get gorgeous and enjoy the experience (that includes you, too, mom!). 

The look you should try to achieve is you...only glammed up for the big night.  First, your skin.  Think of your face as a canvas.  You want it as clear and blemish free as possible.  If you do have a breakout, use a product like Origins Spot Remover to treat and then use a small amount of concealer. One of my favorites is Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage. Using a light hand, apply foundation or mineral makeup to even out skin tone and blend, blend, blend.  You might want to add Estee Lauder Face Glow to give your skin extra luminosity. 

Next, the makeup.  You want to emphasize one of your features, not all.  So make the focal point your eyes, cheeks or lips, not all of the above!  A good hint is to start with the feature that you get the most compliments on. If it's your eyes, a smoky eye is the way to go.  A good tutorial using MAC cosmetics can be found here.  Remember to use only a hint of blush; Nars Nico or Desire would be a good choice.  Definitely 2 coats of mascara. And because you don't want to have to worry about touchups, put a tube of new L'Oreal Never Fail Lip Gloss in your handbag.

If you're thinking about tanning in advance of the big night, skip the tanning bed and try new Jergens Natural Glow Express.  It's a sunless moisturizer that develops a natural tan in about 3 days.

Finally, don't forget fragrance.  You'll want something innocent, yet sexy and memorable.  I'd suggest Diesel Fuel for Life Pour Femme.  It's an interesting blend of jasmine, patchouli, blackcurrant and creme de cassis that dries down to a powdery, musky finish.  Definitely not forgettable. 

The best advice?  Smile, relax and have the time of your life!

photo credit: yourprom.com

Prescriptives All-Weather Friend Sun Protection--A Friend with benefits!

Prescriptives All-Weather Friend is a UVA/UVB sun protectant with an SPF 40 that is perfect for everyday wear. I ordered this new sunscreen a few weeks ago when Prescriptives had the Friends & Family Event.  This product is definitely worth considering, especially if you don't regularly wear daily sun protection or if you're acne-prone.    The consistency is very lightweight; I recommend shaking it before applying, as it is a thinner lotion formulation than I am used to.  It glides on, due to the addition of silicones.  What I particularly love, is that even after hours of wear, there is no breakthrough shine, like you get with some sunscreens.  Unlike other sun protection products that contains titanium dioxide, there is also no "chalky" appearance to the skin after application. Best of all, All-Weather Friend is oil-free, so if you've got oily or combination skin, this is the year 'round sun protection you've been waiting for.  If your skin runs to the dry side, you can apply All-Weather Friend over a moisturizer.

With All-Weather Friend, you get a "friend with benefits" and a great reason to incorporate the use of daily sunscreen into your beauty and anti-aging routine.  Prescriptives All-Weather Friend retails at $26.50 and is available at department stores and on the Prescriptives website. 

Kate Somerville Skin Care

Kate Somerville skincare is a line of products that I've read about and have been anxious to try.  Kate's products are innovative, her committment to skin care is evident and the results speak for themself.  The philosophy of the line starts with the Skin Health Pyramid, which defines and and prioritizes the five fundamental elements for attaining and maintaining beautiful skin.  This is why we buy the products and do the work, right?  You can consult with a Kate Somerville Skin Health Expert by phone (where you can also order samples) or online.  Through a series of questions, a personalized skin care regimen is developed based on your skin type, so that you can get that famous red carpet glow on at home.

I have been using ExfoliKate, which is a dual-exfoliant, meaning it's a combination of an enzyme mask and a physical scrub.  There are natural ingredients, such as papaya and avocado in ExfoliKate.  At first pump of the innovative delivery system, I was surprised at the green color.  But once I applied the product to my cleansed face, waited a couple of minutes and then rinsed, the results were impressive. I actually like to use ExfoliKate when I shower in the morning, where you also get the benefit of the steam to open your pores, which in turn helps your products absorb deeper into the skin. The benefits of using ExfoliKate are immediate--you see results.  This product is a definite keeper.  I also tried a sampler of Kate Somerville skin products and I can tell you that this is a skincare line that I will continue to purchase after the samples run out.  A few of my favorites are the Quench Hydrating Serum, the Deep Tissue Repair and the Nourish Daily Moisture. 

Kate Somerville skin products are available at her famous Melrose Place clinc in LA, on the Kate Somerville website, QVC, Bliss, SpaLook and at Henri Bendel.

Dr. Michelle Copeland Clay Mask

Dr. Michelle Copeland Clay Mask is an excellent product to add to your skincare regimen, especially if you have oily skin, acne or are interested in a skincare product to help tighten pores.  What I liked about this Clay Mask is the addition of Vitamin C and zinc to stimulate cell renewal and Lipoic acid to restore radiance.  I've been using the Clay Mask on Sunday nights--like a weekly skin appointment--and love how my skin feels after using it.  You apply this mask after cleansing.  It doesn't take long for the mask to dry and then you just wash off with warm water and follow it with a moisturizer.  You can immediately see the difference in your skin.  Noticeable results = good! 

Dr. Michelle Copeland is a plastic surgeon in New York City, who also has training as a biochemist.  Her line of skincare products reflects an understanding of the combination of ingredients necessary to work together to produce results.  Dr. Michelle Copeland Clay Mask retails at $45.

Origins Spot Remover

Origins Spot Remover is like an old friend that you haven't seen in a while, yet getting re-acquainted feels like you've never been apart.  I've been testing alot of skin care products lately and although my skin is pretty resiliant, sometimes it rebels and I break out.  When that happens, I immediately grab my bottle of Origins Spot Remover and apply it to the affected area.  I have been buying Origins Spot Remover since, well, forever and I'm never without it. 

What makes this product so Holy Grail worthy?  First, thanks to the salicylic acid, it works fast.  And that's important when you have a blemish that needs to go away yesterday.  Second, the clear gel doesn't dry out the skin you apply it to, causing flaking and even more irritation.  And third, the smell of cloves is so much better than the nasty medicine smell of other blemish-fighting creams.  If you've had it with other acne treatments that don't hit the mark, try Origins Spot Remover.  You can find Origins Spot Remover online at Bloomingdales, Macy's and other department stores, as well as at the Origins website.

Somme Institute: High Five Skin Care

Somme Institute is a research company that has developed a high-tech skin care system that promises results in 5 weeks, in 5 steps that take 5 minutes.  Since 5 minutes is about all the time I have for a skin care routine, the challenge was on.  The Somme Institute scientists have developed a technology called MDT5 (Molecular Dispersion Technology); a synergistic blend of 6 vitamins (A, B3/B5, C, D and E) that when released, go deep within the skin in their active forms at high concentrations.  Once inside the skin, the vitamins can work to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin discoloration, tone, texture and clarity and repair sun damage.

Each product comes in a white, futuristic-looking bottle with a colorful dot.  Line up the dots in the order of application and start counting down to better skin.  The products in the order used in the regimen are: 

• Nourishing Cleanser- (step 1) - a non-foaming, non-irritating cleanser
• Transport - (step 2) - AHA/BHA exfoliating peel pads
• Serum - (step 3) - highly concentrated Vitamin C gel
• A-Bomb - (step 4) - moisturizing cream with high concentration of Vitamins A & E
• Double Defense - (step 5 - am only) - Moisturizing SPF 30+ sunblock with UVA/UVB protection

So did the promise of 5 steps/5 minutes/5 weeks deliver?  It did, with impressive results. The first week of testing the product, I immediately began to notice softer, smoother skin.  And from there it just kept getting better.  By the third week of use, I was starting to see improvement in fine lines on my forehead.  By the fifth week, I noticed substantial clearing of the dreaded "11" lines on my forehead.  In addition, I did see lightening (but not completely) of UV damage, as well as reduction in the size of the pores on my face.  This line is not limited to those seeking an anti-aging routine; if you've got acne, you can definitely benefit from this combination of ingredients.   

I liked all of the products in the line.  While I prefer a foaming cleanser, the nourishing cleanser was gentle and didn't leave skin feeling dry.  The Transport pads tingled initially and are generously saturated, but not harsh.  After applying the pad to my face, I had enough product to apply on the tops of my hands and experienced the same impressive results.  I found that the Serum absorbed quickly, enabling you to move through your 5 steps one after another.  The A-Bomb was perhaps my favorite of the products, with a light texture and citrusy smell. The Double Defense lotion is a moisturizer with sunscreen that didn't feel heavy or greasy.

Somme Institute products are available at Nordstrom, Beauty.com and at spas such as the Mandarin Oriental in New York City, The Peninsula Bevery Hills, The Spa at the Hershey Hotel and Bellagio in Las Vegas.  If you've got 5 minutes a day to dedicate to better skin, give the Somme Institute line a try!