Health – Page 12 – Forty, Flirty & Fabulous

Don’t Forget To Enter My Go SMiLE Giveaway!

Hi All! I announced this amazing giveaway valued at $150.00 on Monday February 21st and have not received many entries. Just leave a comment telling me that you want to enter on any of my blog posts. Good Luck! The products are:

1.      NEW Speed Whitening System ($99.00 USD): Speed Whitening System is the latest GO SMiLE home teeth whitening innovation – a two-step “prime-and-whiten” application that cuts whitening time in half! The secret is our exclusive patent-pending Pre-Whitening Gel – a clear, flavorless first coat that accelerates the release of stain-fighting oxygen ions in our patented whitening ampoules, while virtually eliminating tooth sensitivity. This dual-action system is clinically proven to whiten up to 8 shades in 4 days!
2.      NEW Green Apple Luxury Toothpaste ($16.00 USD): GO SMiLE Green Apple Luxury Toothpaste is a delicious way to keep your teeth white and healthy. A luscious twist on your everyday ritual, Green Apple Toothpaste will invigorate your day with refreshing flavor. With whitening and cavity protection, plus a delicious aromatherapy blend, it’s specially formulated to keep teeth bright and give your smile a refreshing sensory experience!
3.      Touch Up® Ampoules in Green Apple ($35.00 USD for 30): Once you’ve whitened your teeth, use smile perfecting Touch Up ampoules to help polish teeth and keep them white. Just Flip, Pop, Touch Up™ after eating and drinking to help keep stains from setting on teeth. These portable, single-dose ampoules work like a mid-day brush, specifically targeting the bacteria that cause bad breath and refreshing the entire mouth, no sink required.

I have been using all of these products and really love them. The Speed Whitening System was easy to use, tastes good (not bleachy) and didn’t irritate my teeth and gums. It really whitened, too. The Green Apple toothpaste is pretty yummy and keeps teeth white. The Touch Up ampoules are fun to use and great for after lunch, at work or at any time! You can purchase these at www.gosmile.com.

To win ALL THREE of these products worth a combined value of $150.00 leave a comment on my blog telling me that you would love to try GO SMiLE. For an extra entry, like GO SMiLE on Facebook or follow them on Twitter, then email me at lorena.emerson@gmail.com to let me know. I will be drawing a winner on Friday, March 4, 2011. Good Luck!

Smashbox Cosmetics In Bloom Collection

I love spring makeup because of its ability to freshen and brighten my pale winter skin. The colors this season are romantic and much softer than the bold winter hues.

A fab collection that embodies the new lovely spring colors is the In Bloom collection from Smashbox Cosmetics. The look on the spring runways were delicate and girly –from radiant, lit-from-within skin to hazy, neutral eyes and glossy nude pouts. With light, luminous looks for eyes, cheeks, lips and skin, In Bloom is your ultimate spring beauty update.

The In Bloom Collection includes:

IN BLOOM EYE SHADOW PALETTE & BRUSH ($48.00 USD value $180.00 )-ballet pink, lavender grey, golden pink, warm taupe, bone, soft violet, marine blue, shimmering copper, moss, nude — Spring beauty is in full bloom with this ten shade palette of ultra-luxe shimmers and wearable mattes, arranged vertically in duos for effortless customization. Apply with the included eye shadow brush for a flawless finish.

CREAM CHEEK DUO in BLUSHING/PEONY ($26.00 USD) -soft pink/bright pink — This duo of creamy, rose shades offers a sheer natural flush to cheeks and lips anytime, anywhere. Wear alone or pair together for a rush of custom color. Apply with fingertips or a Foundation Brush and blend.

SOFT FOCUS POWDER EYE LINER ($22.00 USD each) -heather grey or dark brown — This innovative powder formula creates a soft smoldering look in seconds. Before using, shake well and tap off any excess powder before lining the lashline.

LIMITLESS LONG WEAR LIP GLOSS WITH SPF 15 ($21.00 USD each)-Timeless (soft pink) or Endless Kiss(coral pink) — Get juicy color and long-lasting shine with added pout protection from SPF 15. Packed with vitamins and minerals, this unique formula benefits and boosts lips. Apply to bare lips or layer over your favorite Smashbox lipstick for gorgeous color and shine that lasts up to six hours.

ARTIFICIAL LIGHT LUMINIZING POWDER ($20.00 USD) -shimmering soft nude — Inspired by top-selling Artificial Light Luminizing Lotion, this soft shimmering powder highlights and brightens for a radiant glow. Apply to inner corners of eyes, down the bridge of nose, above brows and to the tops of cheekbones with the targeted applicator. It can also be mixed with body lotion and applied to arms, legs and décolleté for a subtle shimmer.

I have tested the Timeless lip gloss and the cheek duo. Both products give beautiful color. The lip gloss is sheer and so pretty on. It is a bit sticky, but does last a long time and is moisturizing on dry lips. I also love that it includes SPF, which is perfect for sunny spring and summer days. The cheek duo looks brighter in the pan then on the face. It is so soft and pretty on. I love the glow that cream blush gives, plus you can put it on your lips for a pretty monochromatic look.

WHERE TO FIND IT: Smashbox.com, Sephora, Sephora inside JCPenny, Ulta, Nordstrom, Beauty.com, and select Macy’s — Enjoy!

New GO SMiLE Products Plus a Fantastic Giveaway!

White teeth is a fairly easy way to polish a look. But unless you want to have your teeth professionally whitened (which is very expensive), it can be messy and painful to whiten at home.

That’s why I was excited to try the following GO SMiLE products. They are very easy to use and didn’t irritate my extremely sensitive teeth. Plus, big news, I am giving away a package of these three products to one of my amazing readers! Here are the descriptions of the products:

d.j.v beautenizer Volume Lash

: d.j.v beautenizer Volume Lash

If you have been reading my blog for a while, you will know that I love reviewing new mascaras. My favorites are ones that lengthen, volumize and do not smudge. A tall order? Perhaps, but I think I found a mascara that provides all three.

It is d.j.v. beautenizer Volume Lash mascara ($24.00). This mascara, available in Pure Black, claims that it volumizes, conditions and smudge-proofs each and every lash. Volume Lash’s versatile volume sculpting brush is designed to hold plenty of its new, 3D film-coating formula to cover and condition all your lashes with nourishing oils. This quick dry formula prevents lashes from clumping while giving you an all day smudge-free look. Of course, when you’re ready to remove Volume Lash at the end of the day, all you need is warm water. It’s fuss-free.

I love that this mascara does volumize plus lengthen. It also doesn’t smear, but flakes a bit at the end of the day. Removal is a bit tough, you need lots of water to get it all off. Makeup wipes do not work on it. But, if you want a dramatic look, this product delivers!

This is available exclusively in Sephora, Sephora inside JCPenney and Sephora Canada.

NEW StriVectin-SD® for Sensitive Skin

: NEW StriVectin-SD® for Sensitive Skin

Strangely enough, I find that as my skin ages, it becomes more sensitive. I was excited to try a new sensitive skin cream from StriVectin hoping that it would address some of my anti-aging concerns without making it red and uncomfortable.

The product is called StriVectin-SD^® for Sensitive Skin Intensive Concentrate for Stretch Marks & Wrinkles ($79.00 USD). A mouthful, I know, but a really great product. The claim is that it is, “is an anti-aging powerhouse, developed exclusively for sensitive skin. 100% of StriVectin’s collagen-building, wrinkle-reducing, anti-aging power. And none of the oils or fragrances that cause irritation and leave sensitive skin vulnerable to accelerated aging.”

This cream is for the 49% of women 25+ with sensitive skin who are battling the signs of aging. When using conventional products, they are prone to redness, dryness, flare-ups, burning and stinging. It includes the benefits of collagen building, wrinkle-reducing, anti-aging power with no oils or fragrances. Through NIA-114™, it strengthens skin’s protective layer so wrinkles diminish, tone evens and texture smoothes. Sensitive skin feels less sensitive.

StriVectin-SD^® for Sensitive Skin is fragrance-free, oil-free, paraben-free, allergen-free, and artificial dye-free. This soothing formula contains Nia-114, active peptides, rose & cucumber extracts, and oat kernel extract to deliver powerful results in a gentle way.

What I think: The very first time I used this product, I noticed immediate smoothing and brightening of my skin. It was very surprising. So many face creams make my skin red at first, before the benefits kick in, so I am not used to such fast results.

I have now been using the cream twice a day for a few weeks and love using it. It hydrates my dry, winter skin leaving it feeling soft and nourished. My skin looks noticeably younger because of the glow and smoothness it imparts.

I highly recommend the StriVectin-SD^® for Sensitive Skin Intensive Concentrate for Stretch Marks & Wrinkles for the face. I haven’t tried it on my stretch marks, but I bet it would help. You can purchase this at www.strivectin.com and www.sephora.com

Cricket Friction Free Paddle Brush

Cricket's Friction Free Paddle Brush — Cricket’s Friction Free Paddle Brush

Flyaway hair driving you crazy this winter? Besides loading your hair down with product, you can tame that wayward hair with a friction free brush by Cricket. Cool huh?

Designed with comfort, performance and results in mind, this brush is crafted using a special blend of polymers to reduce friction caused by brushing, combing and styling hair. Friction makes locks lose their shine. Bristles are ion-infused with tourmaline to impart moisture into the hair, reducing static electricity and creating incredibly smooth shine.

What I think: This brush instantly detangles mine and my daughters’ hair — it glides right through without pulling. I also notice that when I use the brush my hair it is smoother and less static-y. Very nice!

The Friction Free Paddle Brush ($9.95 — $12.99)is available at www.amazon.com and other beauty supply stores.

Dry Skin Driving You Crazy This Winter? Soothe It With New Products for Hands and Body

When the weather gets cold and dry (and blizzards like it did in Kansas City this week), skin and nails really need to be nourished. My hands and feet especially have been cracked and my cuticles are peeling. I have taken this opportunity to try new products (or ones that are new to me) to get my skin feeling soft and hydrated.

Cures by Avance Hydrating Body Silk ($26.00 USD) is a weightless body milk which claims to transform the skin. I like to use this after a shower to lock in the moisture. My skin feels silky and soft afer use. To purchase, visit www.curesbyavance.com

It’s a known fact that winter air completely zaps the essential natural oils found in skin and hair but unfortunately, attention to the nails has long been neglected. Due to the sub-zero effects outside and the bone-dry heat that is pumped indoors, the nails take a real beating – quickly becoming dry and brittle which results in cracks, painful splits and very short-lived manicures (the shame!)

In order to prevent and combat these harsh effects, protect nails with Perfect Formula’s Daily Moisture ($29.00 USD)– a tried and true treatment that keeps nails long, strong and healthy. Formulated with Keratin, the main protein that makes up nails, Jojoba Oil, an excellent moisturizer that is similar to the natural lubricant of skin, and Vitamin E, this product instantly nourishes and strengthens dry, thirsty nails even in the most treacherous conditions.

To use, simply brush Daily Moisture on top of nails, under nails and on cuticles daily. Can be used on polished or natural nails. purchase at http://www.perfectformulas.com or QVC.com.

Caudalie Vine Body Butter ($36.00 USD) is deeply hydrating, with a delicious light scent and velvety texture melts into skin and provides all the therapeutic benefits and efficiency of Vinothérapie Spas. This lotion is perfect for anyone with very dry to damaged skin wanting an ultra nourishing, repairing and luxurious treatment. Apply morning and evening, massage gently into skin in upward motions.

I love the scent of this lotion, it is a bit fruity and is very refreshing. I like to apply it to my hands, feet and legs after shaving. Visit www.caudalie-usa.com to purchase.

Enjoy your hydrated skin!

Get Healthy Hair Naturally with Redken Nature’s Rescue

With a growing demand for natural products, and 55% of consumers using natural products in addition to their other hair care products, Redken introduces NEW Nature’s Rescue, a collection of paraben-free, sulfate-free and silicone-free hair care essentials. Inspired by the ocean and enriched with plant and marine extracts, Nature’s Rescue thoroughly cleanses to remove impurities and buildup while helping nourish and refine the hair.

“In my salons, some clients are looking for more natural hair care products,” states Rodney Cutler, Redken Brand Ambassador and owner of Cutler/Redken Salons. “Nature’s Rescue is ideal for these clients as it’s formulated for all hair types, safe for color-treated hair, and can be used daily, weekly or on alternate days with a favorite Redken hair care regimen for a complete, healthy-looking hair solution.”

“Redken has always used its advanced technology to target specific hair needs with simple solutions,” states Jenny Corless, Director of Global Marketing for Redken. “With Nature’s Rescue, we are using our technological expertise to answer a market need for more natural hair care products. Nature’s Rescue features the nutrient-rich Sea-Algae Hydracomplex with sea algae, soy protein and aloe vera to protect and moisturize the hair. The star products include the Refining Sea Polish, which gently exfoliates with pumice to remove impurities and refine hair’s surface leaving it smooth and shiny.   The Radiant Sea Spray is a lightweight and multifunctional spray that adds texture while time-touch fragrance capsules release bursts of oceanic scent when hair is touched.”

Nature’s Rescue includes four products formulated with water-fresh fragrances, cooling sensations and ocean-inspired textures that provide the perfect balance of moisture:
·         Step 1: Detox with Nature’s Rescue Refreshing Detox Shampoo
·         Step 2: Refine with Nature’s Rescue Refining Sea Polish
·         Step 3: Replenish with Nature’s Rescue Cooling Deep Conditioner
·         Step 4: Uplift with Nature’s Rescue Radiant Sea Spray

I love the clean feeling that these products leave in my hair. The shampoo and deep conditioner impart a coolness to my hair and scalp in the shower. I love the Sea Polish, it seems to really scrub my hair and scalp clean. The Sea Spray is a neat idea, my hair is scented all day, especially when touched.

To locate a Redken salon to purchase, please log on to Redken.com. Enjoy!

Love QVC? Love tarte? Check Out These Exclusive Products!

Love QVC and tarte? QVC is lucky to carry select tarte products before they are available anywhere else. I tried a couple of fun tarte eye makeup products recently — the smooth operator™ Amazonian clay eye base and the emphasEYES™ aqua-gel eyeliner in indigo shimmer.

I have recently become a fan of eye base. A good one smooths the eyelid and increase the staying power of eye shadows. Tarte’s smooth operator™ Amazonian clay eye bas is naturally brightening and utilizes the intuitive power of Amazonian clay to balance oily lids and hydrate dry areas around the eye. The waterproof primer leaves your lids soft and smooth, allowing shadow to remain truer to color and last all day.

skinvigorating™ ingredients:
·         beeswax: is used as a waterproofing agent, and creates a natural protective barrier between the skin and the environment
·         Vitamins A: antioxidant that helps remove free radicals, promotes collagen production and retains moisture
·         Vitamin C: inhibits melanin oxidation which improves skin’s brightness and clarity
·         Vitamin E: natural preservative that also acts as an anti-inflammatory emollient and protects against free radical damage
·         Amazonian Clay: this nutrient rich clay is extracted from the banks of the Amazon River where the nutrients are at their highest concentration. As nature’s most perfect ingredient this multitasking and total skin balancing clay has been known to:
o    Remove surface oil to mattify lid area
o    Hydrate dry area around the eyes
o    Give skin area around the eyes an overall smooth and even appearance
o    Reduce the appearance of dryness and flakiness
o    Improve the appearance of skin clarity and texture

I love the matte finish of this primer. If you are in a hurry, applying this then a little eyeliner and mascara well get you out of the house quick and looking great! But if you do apply shadows over it, they will last all day long!

The revolutionary emphasEYES™ aqua-gel eyeliner has been around for awhile now. It claims to capture the high pigment concentration and staying power of a gel pot in an effortless pencil, no brush required! Even more unique is the proprietary formula which encapsulates rich mineral pigments in a 50% water concentration. By a process of hydrous pigmentation, cooling and refreshing pure water absorbs into skin to hydrate and replenish the delicate eye area, leaving behind an intense, long-wearing and pigment-rich color. Fortified with vitamin E, cucumber and aloe this soothing aqua-gel eyeliner maintains moisture balance in the skin while treating with healing free radical fighters.

Skinvigorating™ benefits:
Water: pure water delivers and retains moisture to replenish and hydrate skin
Aloe leaf extract: soothing, healing and antiseptic properties help maintain moisture balance in the skin
Cucumber extract: rich in vitamins A &C and helps soothe skin
Mineral pigments: colors and dyes derived from natural minerals soothe and soften the skin
Vitamin E: natural preservative acts as an anti-inflammatory emollient and fights free radical damage
Due to this unique formula:
DO NOT over advance the pencil tip. Due to the soft nature of this formula breakage may occur of pencil tip is over-advanced.
ALWAYS secure cap tightly after use to prevent drying.

Indigo shimmer is the new color exclusive to QVC. It is very dark, almost a black-blue with a little bit of shimmer. Very dramatic. I love rimming my eyes with this pencil before going out. The only thing is that the formula is so soft that you have to apply it very lightly. I have broken off the tip a couple of times. But the pigment pay-off and smoothness of application is worth it.

Both product are formulated without:
parabens
mineral oil
petrolatum
phthalates
sodium lauryl sulfate
synthetic dye
synthetic fragrance

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

Soften Your Dry Winter Skin With Caudalie Hand And Nail Cream

I seem to be slathering on hand cream constantly in this cold, dry, winter air. I have been looking for a hydrating, but not greasy, hand cream that smells great. And I have found it! Caudalie Hand And Nail Cream ($19.00 USD) is my new favorite winter hand cream.

Why? Because is it nourishing for both hand and nails and it is also anti-aging. It contains patented grapevine polyphenols, organic shea butter from equitable trade, grape-seed oil, avocado extract, Vinolevure® and plant-derived glycerin. It is also infused with a sweet orange fragrance that smells fantastic!

Visit www.caudalie-usa.com to learn more and to purchase. Enjoy!