Treat Your Skin With The New Anti-Aging Powerhouse Algenist

Being FORTY (something), flirty and fabulous, I know the importance of reviewing new anti-aging skincare for my wonderful audience.  I have recently tested the new amazing biotechnical skincare line Algenist.  What does Algenist claim:

Born out of an unexpected biotechnology discovery, scientists discovered Alguronic Acid – a powerful compound responsible for regenerating and protecting the microalgae cell.  As the key ingredient in all Algenist products, Alguronic Acid boosts skin elasticity and hydration, decreases melanin (skin pigmentation) and inflamed cells, as well as protect the skin against UV-induced DNA damage.

This line currently include four skincare products.  They are:

Concentrated Reconstructing Serum ($95.00 USD) — A smooth, advanced anti-aging serum formulated with a high concentration of the revolutionary ingredient Alguronic Acid to rebuild skin firmness and elasticity while restoring skin density and elasticity. Wrinkles are minimized and skin radiance is boosted.

Regenerative Anti-Aging Moisturizer ($90.00 2 fl. oz, s135.00 4 fl. oz) — A luxurious, moisturizing and nourishing anti-aging cream formulated with the revolutionary anti-aging ingredient Alguronic Acid to nourish and restore skin moisture while rebuilding firmness and elasticity. The appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and pores is minimized. The skin is regenerated.

Regenerative Anti-Aging Moisturizer SPF 20 ($90.00 USD) — A fast-absorbing, moisturizing, and protective anti-aging SPF cream formulated with the revolutionary anti-aging ingredient Alguronic Acid to nourish and restore skin moisture while rebuilding firmness and elasticity. The appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and pores is minimized. The skin is regenerated and protected against signs of aging caused by UVA & UVB exposure.

Complete Eye Renewal Balm ($65.00 USD) — A rich yet lightweight moisturizing and soothing balm for the eye area formulated with the revolutionary anti-aging ingredient Alguronic Acid to diminish signs of aging and fatigue, decreasing the appearance of puffiness and dark circles while tightening and firming the skin around the eyes. Fine lines and wrinkles are minimized for a comprehensive renewal of the eye area.

What I think:  I love these products!  It’s crazy that they can be so gentle going on delivers powerful anti-aging benefits!  They are fragrance-free and soothing when applied.  I have sensitive skin and Algenist products do not irritate my skin.

Since I have been using Algenist, I have noticed that my skin is smoother (pores appear smaller and fine lines are less noticeable), and it has a youthful glow.  I have only been using Algenist for a few weeks, but I will keep using it and see how my skin changes over the next month or so.

Visit www.algenist.com or www.sephora.com to learn more or purchase.  Enjoy your younger skin!

Treat Your Dry, Processed Hair To Rusk’s Deep Shine Oil Volume Shampoo and Conditioner

Summer is a hair killer.  Adding to damage from hair color and heat stylers, you get sun exposure, chlorine and/or salt in the hair and the frizz from humidity.  Yuck.

But my hair is looking pretty good now.  Why, you ask?  I am using Rusk Deepshine Oil Volume Shampoo and Conditioner ($15.00 USD Each).  These products contain the following ingredients for healthy hair:

  • Certified-Organic Moroccan Argan Oil — enhances the shine and condition of the hair.  Adds back natural moisture and softness.
  • Natural Algae Extracts — provide moisture, nourishment and deliver vitamins that help replenish hair’s natural balance.
  • Vitamin E — Protects the scalp and minimizes UV damage to the hair, promoting strength and luster.

I think that these products are wonderful for dry, damaged hair.  They really do revive super-dry hair.  My hair has been dry and frizzy and now it is soft and smooth.   The only thing is that this is probably not for people with fine or oily hair as it can weigh it down.  I really don’t see the shampoo and conditioner as volumizing hair care.  I make sure that I apply volumizing styling products after I use these for lift as well as shine.

Available September 2011 at www.stylesource.com.  Enjoy!

JESSICA Nails Carte Blanche Collection

Yves Saint Laurent said it best, “Fashions fade, but style is eternal.” Celebrity nail expert JESSICA® has taken her personal love for fashion and Parisian elegance and created a new summer collection of ultra feminine neutral nail colours.

The new Carte Blanche collection is an elegant six-piece assortment of sophisticated colours that enable women to explore their own personal style. With the right blend of shimmering whites, beiges and grays, each colour makes a stylish statement!

The shades are:

Haute Couture — soft pink shimmer

A La Mode — greige shimmer

Pret A Porter — warm beige shimmer

Tres Chic — dusty lavender shimmer

Soigne — light gray shimmer

Au Natural — nude shimmer

Visit www.jessicacosmetics.com to learn more and purchase.  Enjoy!

Great Products To Help Keep The Summer Glow Going Through Fall!

Keep your glow up with these fun summer-enhancing products.  From a great color-customized mineral foundation, to a cheek gel to some great glosses, enjoy a new easy look that will help you sail into Fall while keeping your color!

e.l.f. Mineral Personal Blend Foundation SPF 15 ($8.00 USD) — Create customized mineral based color for a perfect match, year-round! Housed in a unique quad  chamber for the perfect mix, the weightless mineral formulation blends seamlessly into skin and contains natural skin protecting SPF 15 and is 100%  mineral based with no parabens, preservatives or chemical dyes. Infused with key Vitamin E for rich antioxidants that hydrate and replenish the skin. The inner dial allows you to control the amount of product dispensed so you can create  your customized color and keep the powder closed for clean and easy use every time.

Each quad blend contains four perfectly matched shades:

  • Light:Porcelain, Fair, Light, Beige
  • Medium:Medium Beige, Golden Honey, Tan, Bronze
  • Dark: Almond, Toffee, Dark, Deep

What I think:  This is such a great idea for a summer powder.  I have the medium, and I am in between Golden Honey and Tan so I mix them together.  I use Bronze for a bronzer and I know as my (fake) tan fades, I know I will be more Medium Beige.  So I get all different looks in one product.  Genius! The only thing that I don’t care for is that there is a little shimmer in it and I like my powder matte. This is for sale at a Target store near you.

Perfekt Beauty Cheek Perfection Gel ($28.00 USD) — gives an instant lit-from-within flush to the cheeks.   The multitasking formula glides on effortlessly to instantly per-fekt and enhance the appearance of the cheeks. Smart Color Technology™ assures a perfect color  match for every skintone. This gel leaves a hint of natural color, sculpting and  highlighting the cheekbones.

What I think:  I like to use just a little bit of this gel to get a lit-from-within glow.  It comes in two shades — Blushed and Bronzed.  I have Blushed, which is a pretty red-toned blush that looks so natural on.  But you can tell it is blush, I have had many compliments on it.  Purchase at www.sephora.com or www.perfektbeauty.com.

It Cosmetics Anti-Aging Shadow Trio & “No Tug” Shadow Brush ($29.00 USD). This eye shadow trio is all about intense pigment, in a naturally pretty look. It’s packed with skin-loving ingredients such as hydrolyzed collagen; acai; green tea; and vitamins A, C, and E; and is free of ingredients that make eyes appear older. The Dual No-tug Heavenly Luxe eye shadow brush gives you airbrushed eye shadow application without tugging on your delicate eyelids.

Shades are:

  • Naturally Pretty Matte Luxe: Cashmere, a matte creme; Espresso, a matte deep brown; Earth Angel, a matte beige cashmere
  • Naturally Pretty Pearl Luxe:  Je Ne Sais Quoi, a shimmery nude pink; Espresso, a matte deep brown; Ipanema, a golden beige pearl
  • Pretty in Plum: Je Ne Sais Quoi, a shimmery nude pink; Lucky Lavender, a violet pearl; Plum Passion, a rich shimmer purple

What I think:  I have tried the Pretty in Plum palette and love the colors.  It is highly pigmented and last a long time, especially over It Cosmetics Bye Bye Lid Lines Anti-Aging Primer.  The brush is gorgeous, too.  Purchase at www.qvc.com.

It Cosmetics Anti-Aging Brightening Face Disc  w/Luxe Brush ($48.50 USD).  This palette includes a matte bronzer, luminating powder, and vitality blush. They are packed with skin-loving ingredients such as hydrolyzed collagen; acai; green tea; and vitamins A, C, and E. The Jumbo Heavenly Luxe Mega-Brush gives you airbrushed application, and makes you smile upon contact.  Anyone who needs a little “brush therapy” to smile, will love this ultra-soft, luxe Mega-Brush!

What I think:  This is the perfect all-over face palette.  The matte bronzer is fabulous for contour or a healthy color on the face.  The blush is brightening and the luminizer is perfect anywhere you need a little light on the face.  Visit www.qvc.com to learn more and purchase.

bodycology® is thrilled to introduce you to Healthy Kiss ($2.99 USD) -three delectable, lip-quenching glosses that are loaded with beneficial ingredients: Juicy Watermelon, Fresh Strawberry and Pomegranate Splash. Formulated with a healthy dose of
vitamins, extracts and oils, the product leaves lips feeling beautifully soft and moisturized. Simply squeeze and apply for subtle color, high-gloss shine and mouth-watering flavor.

What I think:  These are fun, shiny glosses that taste fantastic.  They are perfect for days that you want a hint of color and lots of shine.  You can purchase these at Walmart.

Erno Laszlo Transphuse Age Defying Mask Anti Aging Treatment

Erno Laszlo Transphuse Age Defying Mask

I notice as I move further into my forties, my skin needs extra help.  My main complaint is that I notice a general dullness in my skin plus enlarged pores.  Luckily, with my blog, I get to try many different anti-aging products.  Some help, some don’t.  I have recently found one that does!

Erno Laszlo Transphuse Age Defying Mask Anti Aging Treatment ($90.00 USD) is a luxurious approach to anti-aging designed to target fine lines and wrinkles. It also claims to saturate skin with moisture, reverse damage and rejuvenate tired, dull skin. It is formulated with a powerful concentration of Glycosaminoglycans to encourage collagen production for a plumper, more youthful complexion.

Cleanse and tone skin. Apply an even layer to face, avoiding eyes and eye brows. Leave on for 5-10 minutes or until dry. Rinse with warm water. Use weekly or as needed.

What I think:  The first time I tried this, I use as directed.  After drying my face, I looked in the mirror and wow!, my face looked smooth and glowy (not shiny) and my pores appeared so much smaller. Five years off instantly! This is easy to use and gives amazing results.

To purchase, visit www.ernolaszlo.com. Enjoy!

Add Some Color to Your ‘Do With Put on Piece’s Clip-In Color Strips

Put on Piece’s Clip-In Color Strips

There’s a new trend in hair that’s popping up on red carpets, runways, and on celebrities just about everywhere. Brightly streaked hair – and we’re talking bright – from green to pink and from blue to purple, has been seen on A-listers such as, Kesha, Brittany Spears, Jordin Sparks and Lauren Conrad. Not ready for such a shocking change? Then this bold look doesn’t have to be a permanent one thanks to an easy-to-use option like Put on Pieces Clip-In Color Strips ($8 each: extensions.com).

Put on Piece’s Clip-In Color Strips easily attach to hair for a commitment-free streaked effect. Each bright strip gives hair 16 inches of color that pops for standout hair that gets noticed. Choose from six fun fantasy colors – Amethyst, Blue, Gold, Pink, Purple and Red, or mix multiple shades to express yourself though your hair.

What I think:  I have tried the purple and red in my dark brown hair.  The purple is fun to wear everyday or to work, because it is a subtle flash of color in my dark hair.   The red is bright and fun for a night out.  The clips are easy to use and stay on until you take them off.

To purchase, visit  www.extensions.com.  Have fun!

Moisturize All Over With John Masters Organics Argan Oil

John Masters Organics Argan Oil

Have you tried Argan oil?  This is a natural product that is harvested and produced in Morocco by hand in the Argan forest.  Argan oil is a fantastic moisturizer for hair and skin that nourishes without leaving you feeling greasy.

John Masters Organics 100% Argan Oil ($38.00 USD for 2 oz).   It’s excellent for taming frizzy hair and mending split ends, and when applied to skin it helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and blemishes.

This product is harvested by a women’s cooperative, which has established an ecosystem reforestation project to ensure sustainability and to protect the rare, endangered tree. The income generated is providing healthcare and education for the entire community.

What I think:  I love that this is 100% Argan oil.  I have tried many products that use the oil as an ingredient, but I really love that this doesn’t have anything else in it.  And, it works so well.  A little goes a long way, but I use it in my hair to cut the frizzies, my  legs after shaving, my cuticles and it is a fab eye makeup remover.

Visit www.johnmasters.com to learn more and to purchase. Enjoy!

Easy, On-The-Go Moisture, With Smith & Vandiver Aromatherapaes Moisture Balm

Traveling this summer and don’t want to take bottles or jars of lotion to keep skin soft?  Try a moisture balm.  They smooth and heal dry, rough skin, especially areas such as your cuticles, elbows, knees, and ankles.  They are also great for legs and other areas after shaving.

One I am currently is Smith & Vandiver’s Aromatherapaes Moisture Balm. It is available in 2 scents:

•    Soothing Moisture with Neroli & Lavender: Perfect for post-shaving, post-pool party, and a day spent beachside.

•    Refreshing Moisture with Sweet Orange & Vanilla: Fabulous for arid summer climates, dried-out skin from hanging out next to the AC too long, and post-shower.

Key Ingredients:
• Shea Butter
• Neroil
• Cocoa Butter
• Lavender
• Beeswax
• Sweet Orange Oil
• Sweet Almond Oil
• Vanilla

Love that it’s Natural!  All Aromatherapaes products are formulated to meet the Whole Foods Premium standard and are certified under  the Natural Products Association. With these standards, a product must not only meet a 95% level of certified
natural ingredients, the balance must be certified-safe synthetics that have no natural alternative. The NPA seal
helps consumers know they are getting a truly natural product.

Directions for Use:

Twist container from bottom to expose stick. Apply directly to dry skin areas.

Availability:

Moisture Balm is available at grocery, chain drug, and mass-market retailers, specialty stores and natural stores
across the country and on-line at www.svnaturally.com. The suggested retail price is $5.99.  Enjoy!

Nicole by OPI Introduces Texture Coat

Nicole by OPI announces the launch of Texture Coat, a line of graffiti-style nail art products inspired by OPI’s bestselling Shatter. Available in six chic shades – Gold, Silver, Red, White, Turquoise and Black – Texture Coat offers a simple way to create unique, unpredictable patterns on nails with a quick, at-home application.

“Fans of Nicole by OPI are fun, fashion-forward women who love experimenting with trends and using nail lacquer as a form of self-expression,” explains Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, Nicole by OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director.  “Texture Coat offers an easy way to create your own completely customized nail art. Whether you choose pastels, darks, glitters, shimmers, or sheers to pair with Texture Coat, the endless options will accessorize every look.”

To use this product, start with Base Coat Plus, followed by two coats of any Nicole by OPI nail lacquer. Let the lacquer dry completely before applying Texture Coat. Complete the manicure with Top Coat Plus for a high-shine finish.

Nicole by OPI Nail Lacquers and Nail Treatments contain no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde.  Nicole by OPI formulas are long-lasting, fast-drying, and salon-quality, with products featuring the Perfect Stroke brush for streak-free, even coverage. Texture Coat will be available July 2011 for $7.99 each at ULTA, Target, Meijer, Harmon, Wegmans, Sears, and H-E-B. Texture Coat will be available in Canada at Shoppers Drug Mart, Walmart and Loblaw.

For more information, visit nicolebyopi.com. Follow Nicole by OPI on Twitter @NicoleByOPI and become a Facebook fan!

New Summer Haircare Products By Pureology, TRESemmé, and ECRU New York!

Summer hair care can be tricky.  Pool water damages hair, the sun can strip the color and humidity makes it frizzy.  It’s important to find a hair care line that fits your summer hair needs.  Here are three product line ideas and some helpful summer tip:

If you have blond hair, try Pureology Perfect4Platinum ($24.00 to $32.00 USD) system for high-lifted and highlighted hair, four levels or more.  It delivers concentrated keravis to replenish and plump the keratin gaps, equalizing porosity. Chamomile extract improves overall suppleness and softness. The lemon extract clarifies and smoothes the cuticle for enhanced shine. Finally, coriander oil creates a mirrored surface to magnify shine.  The signature AntiFadeComplex® delivers free radical damage protection for longer lasting hair colour. The line includes Shampoo, HairCondition, ReconstructRepair Masque and Miracle Filler Lotion.  Visit http://www.pureology.com to learn more and purchase.

Avoid heat-styling as often as possible during the summer months. After washing your hair, wring out any extra moisture with a towel and allow your hair to air dry before blow-drying. Cutting back on your use of hot tools such as a blow dryer and flat iron will help reduce damage. Be sure to use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner to treat dry, strawlike hair. Try ECRU New York Luxe Treatment Shampoo ($22.00 USD) and ECRU New York Protective Silk Conditioner ($22.00 USD) to restore moisture and provide superior conditioning leaving hair beautiful and healthy. Visit www.ecrunewyork.com for more product ideas.

Worried that your summer hairstyle will wilt or frizz with the heat and humidity?  Help is on the way!  Start the summer off by giving your hair a fighting chance with the TRESemmé Climate Control Collection ($4.49 each item in the line).  Protect against harmful UV rays and keep your locks looking beautiful with the specially designed formula that creates a barrier between your hair and the weather.  Infused with the Climate Control Complex, the collection contains olive oil, keratin, UV blockers and polymers to leave hair shiny, soft and manageable while protecting against humidity, UV rays, static and wind.  With the TRESemmé Climate Control Collection you can have amazing hair regardless of the weather! TRESemmé can be found at mass market retailers near you!  Items in this line include Shampoo, Conditioner, Mousse and Finishing Spray.  Enjoy!