Category: anti-aging

Treat Yourself To A Home Spa Day

Is your skin stressed from sun and heat?  Try one or more of these relaxing products to get your skin in shape and looking fab!

Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel Masque ($45.00 USD)  — With soothing botanical extracts of cucumber, papaya, chamomile pineapple, sugar maple, sugar cane, orange, lemon and bilberry; this ultra-gentle, non-stinging, anti-irritant gel masque is made for all skin types including even the most sensitive skin. Recommended for daily use as a hydrating and calming masque. May be used under the eye area to reduce puffiness. Use in the treatment room to soothe the skin, even after the most potentially irritating procedures including extractions, waxing, clinical facials, peels and electrolysis.

What I think:  This green gel is fun to use, and is easy, too.  Just apply, let sit for 10 minutes and wash off.  Afterwards my face is soft and clear.  Any redness is reduced.  This doesn’t  irritate my skin at all, so it can be used each day.  This is available at www.peterthomasroth.com and Sephora.

Lavanila Healthy Body Wash 2-in-1 Shower & Shave ($14.00 USD) – Packed with nourishing ingredients that promote healthy skin, this non-irritating time-saver soothes, cleans, and moisturizes. While traditional washes and shave creams are made with sulfates and other harsh detergents that can irritate sensitive skin, Lavanila’s all-natural, chemical-free formula is packed with a daily dose of anti-oxidants and vitamins that promote calm, healthy, super soft skin.

Key Ingredients include coconut oil, organic rose hip oil, organic aloe and calendula. The scents are Vanilla Passion Fruit, Vanilla Lavender, Pure Vanilla, Vanilla Grapefruit, and Vanilla Coconut.

What I think:  I tested the Vanilla Grapefruit wash and it was very effective as a shower gel, shaving gel and even as bubble bath. The scent is light and perfect for the summer.  Visit www.lavanila.com to learn more.

The Body Shop Body Butter Duos ($16.00 USD) features an innovative twin pot of fragranced Body Butters to moisturize skin from head to toe. One side moisturizes dry skin like your elbows and knees, and the other side caters to normal skin. They come in four delicious flavors: Vanilla, Macadamia, Acai and Sweet Pea.

What I think:  This is such a cool idea!  One side of the pot holds a thick cream that is almost like a balm and the other side holds a lighter cream.  Both are scented the same but are for different types of skin.  I like to use the thick cream on my feet and elbows and the lighter cream on arms and legs.  Visit www.thebodyshop-usa.com to purchase.

Nothing feels worse than sunburnt skin! Smooth on aloe vera and lather up with Cures by Avance Skin Repair Body Mist ($39.00 USD) to hydrate and soothe skin. This exceptional body mist penetrates to heal and relieve sunburned skin. Sea minerals and essential oils provide deep rehydration and restored tone as the skin is visibly repaired. Perfect during the warm summer months for a lightweight, moisturizing glow that will bring out your tan!

What I think: This spray is light and moisturizing and is perfect for relieving summer skin problems. I do have to say that it has a very strong herbal scent, a little too strong for me.  But if you love natural-smelling products, this might be perfect for you! You can purchase this at www.curesbyavance.com.

Treat Aging Skin With Avon Anew Reversalist

There are SO many anti-aging skin care products on the market today, and it is really difficult to decide which one to use (if you can even afford them). Avon’s Anew Reversalist line is so much less expensive than most department store lines and works just as well. Here are the products that I tried recently:

Anew Reversalist Day Renewal Cream SPF 25 (1.7 fl. oz. Reg. $32.00, Sale $27.00) — Visibly reverses wrinkles with Activinol Technology while helping to protect skin with SPF 25 UVA/UVB. Makes skin look and feel reborn all day. Skin will look fresh, new and younger. The claim is that in 3 days: begins to reduce the look of wrinkles. In 2 weeks: improves discolorations by up to 25%. Over time: dramatically reduces the look of wrinkles and discolorations. Skin looks dramatically tighter..

Anew Reversalist Night Renewal Cream (1.7 fl. oz. Reg. $32.00, Sale $27.00) — Reactivate skin’s repair process to help reverse the look of wrinkles with Activinol Technology, working better together.Over 80% of people saw their wrinkles dramatically reversed. The claim: In 3 days, 73% of people said their skin felt and looked reborn. In 4 weeks, dramatically reduces the look of wrinkles and discolorations.

Anew Reversalist Illuminating Eye System (.09 oz. $30.00 USD) — Brightens even your darkest undereye area. Two-part eye system with Activinol Eye Technology. Helps reactivate skin’s repair processes and dramatically reverse visible wrinkles. Instantly: eye area appears more luminous.  First used the eye cream to visibly repair dark, circles, fine lines and wrinkles over time; next use the sheer veil that has potent skin brighteners. Illuminates undereye area instantly. Use after eye cream and reapply as needed.In 4 weeks: dramatically reduces the look of fine wrinkles.

I enjoyed using this line. The creams are light enough not to be greasy, but are very mosturizing. I really loved the eye cream/illuminizer duo. This is a nice treat for the eyes and makes you look younger instantly!

Visit www.youravon.com/brittbowman to learn more and purchase. Enjoy

Mother’s Day Skin Care Gift Ideas

Moms need to take care of their skin, but sometimes they are too busy to shop for themselves or they are unsure of what to purchase.  Skin care is a fantastic gift for Mother’s Day — treat her to fab skin with one of these ideas:

pūr~lisse ageless & beautiful jet set starter kit ($58.00 USD) — On-the-go essentials for taking Chinese beauty rituals with you. Everything you need for youthful, radiant skin in petite packaging, perfect for first-time users and jetsetters. 14 days of TLC helps prevent wrinkles and fine lines, even for sensitive skin. It’s pure genius.

kit includes:

  • pūr~delicate gentle soy milk cleanser 1.7oz/50mL
  • pūr~youth preserve age~delay skin serum 0.35oz/10mL
  • pūr~moist hydra balance moisturizer 0.5oz/15mL
  • pūr~protect essential daily moisturizer 0.5oz/15mL
  • pūr~eye adore quadra benefit eye serum 0.1oz/3mL

Visit www.purlisse.com to learn more and purchase. This is a great way to try this line!

Mama Mio Neck and Jawline Concentrate ($45.00 USD): Keep the dreaded jiggly jowls and wobbly wattle at bay with Nexercise, a tightening, firming essential for softening jaw lines and recapturing strong, firm, taut, toned, fit skin. Specifically designed for the neck area; lightweight but hyper-moisturising, packed with collagen boosting, amino acids, firming proteins, vitamins and antioxidants AND peptide technology to smooth out crepe, plump up, mega-hydrate and strengthen giving you a firm neck and jawline.  Also included is a pamphlet with neck exercises.  Visit www.mamamio.com/us to learn more and purchase.

BORBA Age Defying Starter Kit ($25.99 USD) — Enjoy beautiful results when you use this simply effective, step-by-step starter kit from BORBA. Each scientifically developed formula is powered by BORBA’s own exclusive acai berry antioxidant blend. Skin is literally retexturized, nourished, protected and rehydrated at the cellular level. So with every use, you can cleanse, treat and hydrate your way to younger looking skin. 

This 5 piece kit has everything you need to start your BORBA regimen. The kit includes :

  • 4-in-1 Cleansing Treatment (1 fl. oz.)
  • Daily Hydrator SPF 30+ (0.5 fl. oz.)
  • Deep Repair Night Crème (0.5 fl. oz.)
  • Wrinkle Smoothing Serum (0.25 fl. oz.)
  • Eye Crème Concentrate (0.17 fl. oz.)

www.borba.com has more info and you can purchase. Enjoy!

Philosophy Hope In A Tinted Moisturizer

Philosophy Hope In A Tinted Moisturizer

This is the time of year that I start switching heavier foundations to a tinted moisturizer.  When the weather gets warmer, I want a lighter product on my face. It just feels and looks better!

I was happy to test Hope in a Tinted Moisturizer ($38.00 USD) from Philosophy. This product claims to combine advanced moisture, sheer color and SPF 20 to hydrate, revive and protect skin, leaving it fresh, hydrated and radiant.

Now Hope in a Jar, the award-winning, lightweight daily moisturizer, can color your world beautiful with this tinted moisturizer. Its sheer, glowing color helps smooth and enhance the complexion. Broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sun protection and a blend of antioxidants protect your skin against wrinkles and environmental attack. Its unique souffle texture absorbs quickly, yet leaves behind long-wearing coverage with a weightless texture that all skin types will love.

features & benefits

  • 4-in-1, multitasking formula combines sheer color + moisture + antioxidants + spf 20
  • lightweight texture glorifies all skin types
  • airless pump dispenses the perfect dose

What I think: This tinted moisturizer goes on smooth like Hope in a Jar, but provides almost full coverage like a foundation, but it does let the skin (including my freckles) shine through. I love the matte finish, which is important because a moisturizer can sometimes appear greasy on the skin right after application, but this doesn’t. The only minus for me is that the shade I have, light, is a little too warm for my skin tone. It’s not quite orangey, but it doesn’t match completely. I either need to tan or buy extra light the next time! But I really love that I get all of the goodness of Hope in a Jar with the added benefit of color.

To learn more and purchase this product visit www.philosophy.com.

NeoStrata Skin Active Comprehensive Antiaging Regimen

NeoStrata Skin Active Comprehensive Antiaging Regimen
NeoStrata Skin Active Comprehensive Antiaging Regimen ($79.00 USD)
A comprehensive antiaging system of potent professional products with active benefit ingredients clinically proven to work synergistically to address all of the visible signs of aging.
  • Stimulate cell turnover to enhance skin texture and clarity while preparing the skin for optimal treatment benefits with an anti-aging facial cleanser with Gluconolactone and Maltobionic Acid
  • Repair skin’s matrix support structure and reduce the appearance of uneven pigment with a daytime moisturizer that firms, smoothes, and protects the skin with Peptides, NeoGlucosamine™ and Retinol
  • Target crow’s feet and puffiness with a multi-mechanistic approach that plumps the deep layers of the skin, smoothing lines and wrinkles from the inside out so the eye area appears more lifted
  • Restore skin’s essential cells, rebuild the deep skin matrix and reduce oxidative damage with a reparative night cream for skin that is firmer, more lifted and vibrant

“Since the effects of intrinsic aging and photodamage on skin are multi-factorial, no single ingredient can address them all”.

The NeoStrata SKIN ACTIVE system is made up of four high-performance products, each formulated to deliver outstanding rejuvenating effects, including significant improvement in the appearance of deep wrinkles, crow’s feet, sagging and uneven pigmentation. When used as a daily regimen, complementary mechanisms of action work synergistically in all skin layers to achieve even greater results. These products are:

1. Exfoliating Wash: Cleanses without irritation; formulated to stimulate cell renewal; lightly exfoliates without over drying to prepare skin for optimal treatment benefits.

2. Matrix Support SPF 20: Formulated to repair the matrix support structure, increase cell turnover and reduce the appearance of uneven pigment for firmer, smoother, more luminous skin. Includes three clinically proven technologies, each with a unique action, for greater skin repair and strengthening, along with a potent antioxidant complex to help protect against further damage to the skin matrix.

3. Cellular Restoration: Designed to synergistically restore skin’s essential cells, rebuild the deep skin matrix and reduce oxidative damage for skin that is firmer, more lifted and vibrant. Employs a multi-mechanistic approach to rejuvenating cellular function and strengthening skin’s underlying structure.

4. Intensive Eye Therapy: Builds and plumps the layers of delicate skin around the eye. The eye area appears more lifted and luminous, and crow’s feet are smoothed from the inside out. Caffeine helps deflate puffiness, while hyaluronic acid acts as a natural moisture magnet.

Developmental studies for NeoStrata SKIN ACTIVE show high efficacy, good tolerability and remarkable results. In Consumer Use Testing, users of the full regimen reported noticeable benefits beginning as early as 1 month and continuing through 3 and 6 months of use.

  • 93% observed smoother skin texture, more even skin tone, and less noticeable lines/wrinkles with regimen use
  • 86% reported smaller pore size and more lifted skin appearance
  • 93% preferred the SKIN ACTIVE regimen to their usual regimen

What I think: This is an interesting concept as a regimen. The steps are different than usual systems. After cleansing, I apply the Matrix Support, which has the texture like a moisturizer with SPF — then I apply the Cellular Restoration which feels like a serum, and is a bit greasy. It’s almost backwards. I have no problem do this at night, but I only use the Matrix Support in the day because I find it difficult to apply my makeup over the Cellular Restoration.  I do really love the eye cream as it soaks in instantly and plumps the skin up around my eyes.

I have only been using this for a few weeks, but I do see more even skin tone. To learn more and purchase, visit www.neostrata.com. Enjoy!

Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Hair Care Products

My hair is certainly beginning to show its (my) age. It is thinner, dry and living in Kansas City has made it frizzy.  I love the idea of anti-aging hair care, because the needs of our hair change as we get older. Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Line was created to hydrate dry, brittle hair and help combat the signs of aging. Some of the products in the line are innovative and extremely helpful in making any hair look it’s best. My favorites are:

Caviar Anti-Aging 3-Minute Shine Boost ($25.00 USD) — A shine-enhancing hair treatment. Inspired by salon glazing services, this weekly shine treatment acts like a lip gloss for your hair giving it an instant blast of high-definition shine. For those with processed hair, this product instantly recharges faded color between salon visits and gives hair reflective brilliance while sealing the cuticle with a moisturizing layer.

What I think: This does give hair a nice shine, but you do have to use a lot to achieve this. To use, shampoo, condition and squeeze out excess water from you hair, then apply an ample amount of the cream. Leave on for 3-5 minutes and rinse out.  Style as usual and you should get a nice sheen to your hair. 

Alterna Caviar Perfect Blowout Creme ($25.00 USD)  is a hydrating styling creme that provides gentle control. It reduces frizz and minimizes static while providing you with the perfect blow dry experience. Alterna Caviar Perfect Blowout Creme provides a sleek, smooth blowout with radiant shine. It tames frizz to keep hair smooth, shiny and moisturized.
 
What I think: I applied this creme to my hair by rubbing a dollop in my hands to emulsify it, then I applied it through my hair with my fingers. I then did a complete blow out, by sectioning my hair and blow drying using a round brush to smooth the hair. It turned out well. My hair was shiny and smoothed. I used a little shine serum to finish the look off. Very pretty!  

Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Overnight Hair Rescue ($35.00 USD) — A deeply penetrating overnight treatment for damaged hair that repairs while you sleep. This powerful treatment repairs and replenishes damaged hair, restores and reinforces hair strength, and prevents future breakage. It absorbs instantly and won’t leave greasy residue on pillows or sheets. The more you use it, the healthier your hair becomes.

What I think: This is a brilliant concept because you can sleep while treating your hair! I like that this is not greasy and doesn’t ruin pillows or sheets! In the morning, rinse it off and style as usual.  Your hair will be soft and healthy-looking!
 
Visit www.alternahaircare.com to learn more and to find a retailer near you. Enjoy! 

 

Kenzo Belle De Jour White Lotus Serum

Belle De Jour White Lotus Serum

In my fight against aging, I have tried lots of products that claim to help wrinkles, skin tone and the youthful glow. Not many do everything that they claim. But, I have always loved Kenzo’s Belle de Jour line. I have previously reviewed Belle De Jour cream  (https://fortyflirtyfabulous.wordpress.com/2009/03/08/want-flawless-skin-try-belle-de-jour-from-kenzo/) and Belle de Jour Angel Eyes (https://fortyflirtyfabulous.wordpress.com/2010/02/17/belle-de-jour-angel-eyes-by-kenzo/) and have enjoyed both of them. The fragrance and texture of both products are fabulous, and I saw a difference in my skin with both. 

So I was very excited to try Kenzo’s Belle De Jour White Lotus Serum ($150.00 USD) which is a day and night serum for a radical effect on the beauty of the face. At the heart of this care is a highly concentrated and enriched White Lotus alchemy which reinforces actions on cellular regeneration. Leaves skin tightened and restored. Belle De Jour, an exceptional product line that enhances the skin’s natural beauty by protecting it from free radicals and the harmful stress hormone – Cortisol. The skin is restored to its natural balance and left luminous and soft.

The key ingredient in this is White Lotus which is one regarded as a sacred flower throughout Asia, white lotus has many soothing and anti-free radical properties. It is cultivated especially for Kenzo in East Asia, an ideal location for this plant to flourish.

To use, take a small amount of the serum and using the fingertips, slowly spread it with a gentle touch over cleansed face and neck. Following with Belle De Jour cream is a complete experience.

I love this smooth, light gel that glides over the skin and absorbs so quickly. It instantly smooths the skin and leaves it so soft. Over a few weeks, I have noticed a difference in the texture and luminosity of my skin.  This product is spendy, but it its worth it for the effectiveness. Also, its nice to splurge on a luxury product every once in a while!

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

Powerful Anti-Aging Benefits With Affordable Boots No7

Boots is one of the United Kingdoms top cosmetic and skin care companies. I have recently tried their No7 line which is a range of hypoallergenic and dermatologically tested products using trusted ingredients. Women in the UK have been using Boots No7 for over 75 years, so they must know something, right? I LOVE the following products because they all address aging problems and have the ingredients to fight them! 

Radiance Revealed Exfoliator ($9.99 USD) —  This light and gentle facial exfoliator deeply cleanses, removes dead skin cells and refines pores, leaving skin soft, smooth and glowing with health. With grapefruit and watercress to help purify, plus pro-vitamin B5 to hydrate the skin.

I love how this scrub leaves skin soft and very smooth. It should be used once or twice a week. Gently massage a small amount onto cleansed, damp skin. Wash away thoroughly with warm water.

Protect & Perfect Beauty Serum ($19.99 USD) — Reveal younger looking, beautifully refined skin with this powerful blend of caring and skin restoring ingredients. Light and non-greasy, it glides on instantly softening and smoothing your skin. Then, with regular use, it works to renew your complexion, restoring radiance and helping to reduce the appearance of pores, fine lines and wrinkles in just 4 weeks. With concentrated levels of unique antioxidant complex and skin-firming pro-retinol complex to boost and maintain skin’s elasticity.

This is a very popular anti-aging serum in the UK so I was very excited to use it — and it did not disappoint. It is so light and is absorbs quickly, then makes the skin so soft and silky. Use day and night to supplement a moisturizing regime. Apply a small amount of serum to the palms of the hands and smooth over the face, avoiding the eye area. Finish with moisturizer.

Intensive Line Filler ($17.99 USD) — This is a clever quick-fix that leaves skin looking softer, smoother and more youthful looking. With light-diffusing particles to blur away the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It’s been created to improve the appearance of deeper wrinkles too, with skin looking plumper and less lined in just 2 weeks. It’s all down to an exciting new development: hyaluronic acid spheres. They absorb water in the upper layers of the skin and inflate to many times their original size, appearing to push wrinkles up and away from within.

I love the instant lift to my skin’s texture that this gives. Plus, it gave my whole face a youthful plumping after just a few weeks uses. Smooth onto the places most vulnerable to expression lines: around your mouth and eyes, between your brows and across your forehead. Follow with No7 Time Resisting or Lifting and Firming moisturizers.

Visit www.us.boots.com or www.target.com to purchase. Enjoy!

I Scream For Eye Creams By AmorePacific, Boots No7 and Kate Somerville!

As an over-forty woman who tries a lot of eye cream, I know how indispensible this type of product is to make you look younger!  I do not go a day without using eye cream because I will not allow lines and wrinkles around my eyes.  Uh-uh. So finding the perfect eye cream is so important. Some really great new ones are:  

AmorePacific Rejuvenating Eye Treatment Gel ($85.00 USD) — This lightweight eye treatment infuses the delicate eye area with intense hydration, fortifying the skin against aging. Its exclusive Radiance Eye Complex™ brightens dark circles, reduces puffiness, and protects skin against aging and fatigue. The complex includes:

-Bamboo Sap: Provides moisturization and epidermal cell regeneration.
-Hesperidin: Provides dark-circle care by improving micro-circulation in skin.
-Lotus Extract: Provides enhancement of aquaporin (celluar water-channel) expression.
-Hydrolyzed Green Tea Extract: Provides enhancement of skin protection power by anti-oxidant synthesis.
 
What I think: I love the light, cooling gel texture of this cream. I have noticed that it immediately plumps up the skin and smoothes away roughness.  My skin looks soft and smooth and my eye circles have diminished. Visit www.amorepacific.com and www.sephora.com to learn more and purchase.
 
Boots No7 Protect and Perfect Eye Cream ($19.99 USD) Chase away dark shadows and puffiness and give skin a brightening boost. Created specifically for the delicate area around the eyes, this unique blend of protecting and renewing ingredients leaves skin soothed, smoothed and revitalized. With our patent pending next generation antioxidant complex, to help shield against free radical damage, plus our skin-firming pro-retinol complex containing lipo-peptides.
 
What I think: This cream is super-light and quickly soaks into the skin. You can apply it right before your makeup in the morning and still apply concealer if you need it. It does give the skin a little glow that really helps dark circles seem less noticeable. For a really great eye cream, it is also fairly affordable and easy to find since it is available at Target. Visit www.target.com or www.us.boots.com to learn more and purchase.

 

Kate Somerville CytoCell Dark Circle Corrective Eye Cream ($75.00 USD) — Revive your eyes with this ultimate eye cream that combines years of research and cutting-edge technology. Formulated with Peptide P-199, a revolutionary peptide that stimulates stem cell activity and restores the skin with new energized cells. CytoCell Dark Circle Corrective Eye Cream is clinically proven to treats all signs of aging around the delicate eye area. Claims and features are:

  • Reduces under eye dark circles by up to 60%*
  • Reduces puffiness around the eye area by up to 75%*
  • Diminishes fine lines and wrinkles around the eye area by up to 60%*
  • Helps to improve radiance, skin tone, and smoothness
  • Free of fragrance and parabens
  • Tested by dermatologists & ophthalmologists

*Based upon results from a 4-week clinical study.

What I Think: This is a very luxurious cream that plumps skin and makes your eye area look smooth and so young! I have noticed that after a few weeks of use, my dark circles look so much lighter. It is also non-irritating which my sensitive eyes appreciate. Visit www.katesomerville.com to purchase this great cream!

My tip is to apply it all around the eye bone (including under the eyebrow) because most eye creams lift and firm and this helps the upper lid from drooping!

Clarisonic Sonic Skin Cleansing System and the Opal Sonic Infusion System at LA Style Fashion Week

We all know that California girls have a golden glow, but what is their secret to gorgeous skin?  We’ll let you in on a little secret—they use Clarisonic!  On March 15-18th, Clarisonic participated backstage at Style Fashion Week Los Angeles, and treated busy models to mini facials with the Clarisonic Sonic Skin Cleansing System and the Opal Sonic Infusion System.

Keep reading for more backstage tidbits from these exciting events as well as trends from each show and tips from the Clarisonic aestheticians!

Time to Get Runway Ready!

Models arrived backstage at the Vibiana, a historic church in downtown Los Angeles, in the late afternoon.  They were thrilled to received Clarisonic Sonic Skin Cleansing System treatments, which removed makeup 6X better than manual cleansing.  Models were happy to hear that sunscreen and other topicals are absorbed 61% more effectively by the skin after using the Clarisonic.  They also learned that self-tanner goes on more evenly after using the Clarisonic PLUS Model on the arms, legs and décolleté—a must in Los Angeles!
(left, backstage at Stop Staring!)

Tighten and Brighten!
With a week full of shows and parties, it’s easy for a model to look tired. Thankfully the Opal Sonic Infusion System came to the rescue!  After providing facials with the Clarisonic Sonic Skin Cleansing System, Eva, Dottie and Jennifer used the Opal around the models’ eyes.  The Opal combines sonic micro-massage with proprietary anti-aging serum to work immediately on appearance of lines and wrinkles and also helps to depuff.

(right, backstage at Stop Staring!)

      Don’t Forget the Men!
Female models weren’t the only ones enjoying Clarisonic treatments.  Male models at the Future Heretics and Gypsy 05 shows loved them too! Most male models said that their skin had never felt as clean as it did after using the Clarisonic.  One male model came back for a second treatment because it was so relaxing!

Dottie and Jennifer used a Normal Brush Head instead of a Sensitive or Delicate Brush Head on the men’s skin since Normal is better at cleaning men’s skin, which is typically rougher and thicker than women’s skin.
(left, backstage at Future Heretics)

I am going to be reviewing a Clarisonic Mia in a few weeks, but all of the buzz is very good! To purchase, you can visit www.clarisonic.com or www.qvc.com.