Beauty Inspiration: Sarah Jessica Parker

With the Sex and The City Movie 2 coming out in just a couple days I decided it was the time for a post on Sarah Jessica Parker, beauty and glamour inspiration to millions of fans around the world.
Born March 25, 1965 , SJP is a successful television and theater actress and a producer. Though she is mostly known for her role as Carrie Bradshaw she starred in many movies, just a couple resent examples include State and Main (2000), The Family Stone (2005), Smart People (2008), and Did You Hear About the Morgans? (2009).
But still for me SJP is all about Sex and the City. For her role as Carrie Sarah Jessica Parker got several awards: she won four Golden Globe Awards, three Screen Actors Guild Awards and two Emmy Awards. Her success as Carrie Bradshaw also helped her to break into fashion and model industry: she became the face of many of the world's biggest fashion brands, she designed and launched her own clothing line Bitten and released several of her own fragrances. Sarah Jessica Parker is also combining an amazing career as a successful actress, fashionista and entrepreneur with being a wife and Mom. She is just awesome and is a role model for many women!


Isn’t it amazing, the charm and power that this woman has! I was just wondering what is it about her that we like so much!? I love her charm, she simply combines uncombinable - she is glamorous, stylish, sexy and at the same time shy, open-hearted, friendly and has this girl-next-door feel to her. She is a dream girlfriend!


I have to say, to me Sarah Jessica Parker looks perfect on the screen, her every gesture, how she walks, holds a purse, tries on shoes is just perfect! I also admire how fit she is. Damn, SJP has a beautiful lean body. Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever come across a mention of her work-out routine: is it Pilates or Yoga or just great genes? Or maybe it’s the ballet training she got as a young girl?
You know what else is inspiring? How damn great she looks for her age!


More about Sarah Jessica Parker
Images source: Fanpop.com

Beauty Shopping: Shiseido Benefiance Eye Treatment Mask and Make Up Forever

Lucky me! Again shopping! This time I came over a sale... This beauty focused store was celebrating some kind of anniversary and everything was 20% off. Well... what do I need I ask myself... I am actually currently again in search of a moisturizer for the summer with highest spf possible (in a mosturizer) and suitable for sensitive skin... they did not have anything to suggest except from Clinique's Superdefense... Sounds interesting... I requested a sample of this to test. However when there is such a sale, you just have to buy something... So I got Shiseido Benefiance Eye Treatment Mask.

I always need a good eye mask and I tried Shiseido's eye masks with Retinol which were very good! And I also finally got myself a good soft gold eye pencil. Yay! It is by Make Up Forever and is exactly what I have been looking for for a long time!

Reviews will follow!

Beauty Shopping: Dior Svelte Body Contouring And Firming Concentrate

Yes, I finally laid my hands on this product. After so much talking and changing my plans I finally got it. I am not at all satisfied with the results I got with Colistar’s intensive cellulite treatment. Before pronouncing that anti-cellulite products just don’t work I am going to give Dior’s product a chance. In addition to helping combat cellulite Dior promises tightening and contouring effects. Dior’s Svelte Concentrate looks and sounds impressing. Let’s see how it works! Don’t miss my review.




More on Christian Dior beauty products.

Beauty Tip: Smoother Lighter Armpits

Have you noticed that skin of your armpits is darker than the rest of your body? Here is a beauty tip I came across in Cosmo Febr. 2010) some time ago but have not yet tried.
Friction from clothes, rubbing and shaving causes inflammation and creates these brown or gray patches on your armpit skin. This problem can be solved with a help of a whitening lotion that contains hydroquinone. Other recommendations include using a new razor every three shaves and slipping on a tee before a sweater.

Beauty Review: Guerlain Success Eye Tech

Promise:
The eye area loses its heaviness, eyelids seem recontoured, wrinkles and f ine lines appear smoothed, dark circles and puffiness are reduced.

Product Profile in Short:
this eye cream has been specifically designed to help tone up the skin-support network and fight sagging.

Contains:
Eye Cellular Amber
Tensotrophin

Close-up on Active Ingredients:
Water
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Butylene Glycol
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
Glycerin
Cetearyl Isononanoate
Aluminum starch octenylsuccinate
Pentylene Glycol
Steareth-21
Glyceryl Hydroxystearate
Cetyl Alcohol
Stearyl Alcohol
Amber Powder
Phenoxyethanol
Stearalkonium hectorite
Steareth-2
Palmitic Acid
Stearic Acid
Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract
Silica
Dimethicone
Polyacrylamide
Propylene Carbonate
Tetrasodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
Xanthan Gum
………


Experience:
Texture: thick, not oily
Fragrance: no fragrance

I just love Guerlain’s Happylogy eye cream but recently I’ve been noticing that maybe it is becoming too light for me so, hoping to find another favorite, I decided to try other eye products by Guerlain.

I have mixed feelings about Success Eye Tech. On the positive side, it seems to work. It does temporarily reduce puffiness and provides lifting effect. You actually almost feel your skin getting tighter. Do not expect the puffiness to be completely gone. But your eyes will look more awake and fresh. It also seems to be nicely moisturizing as it nicely smoothes out lines around the eyes. Another plus for me was that I was not allergic to this cream. Sensitivity is often a problem with eye products. I also liked the texture because it did not feel oily or heavy on the skin. There was only one negative point. Though it is a single flaw, it’s quite important. Success Eye Tech has some occlusives that just “sit” on top of your skin. So it is not a very good base for makeup. When I apply concealer over it, I end up with a crumbly mess. However I noticed that if I apply very little of the Success Eye Tech cream it solves the problem. But then the question is weather such a small quantity provides the needed moisture and what about the puffiness…

Price Tag:
100-120$

Bottom Line:
It’s a shame that such an expensive product “crumbs” on the skin. However, since eye puffiness is a problem for me I would consider investing into Success Eye Tech. Maybe I would have some light cream to go under makeup and Success Eye Tech to treat puffiness.

Here is more information on Guerlain skin care products .

Off (Beauty) Topic: Footed PJs For Adults

I decided it could be refreshing and fun to post from time to time on topics not directly related to beauty. You may not be a beauty in these, but you might be a cutie

Today I decided to touch upon a controversial subject of onesies for adults! How do you like this? I know, I know, some of you will roll up their eyes and go: Oh My God! No! While others would think this is kind of cute and wouldn’t mind wearing footed PJs themselves. Well I belong to the kind-of-cute camp. Footed PJs is not anymore a kids only kinda thing. It actually seems quite a trend now among adults. Footed PJs is not about a fashion statement or glamour…They are cozy, warm and comfy. Not only do they keep you warm at night but are also cute and fun. There are many companies out there that offer quality adults’ onesies. For example, Jumpen Jammerz, Big Feet, Footzies, Hello Kitty etc. It could be hard to choose as PJs come with various options and models. They come with drop seats or no drop sits, buttons or zips, hoods and no slip feet, fleece, cotton etc… wow! What not! I got lost trying to choose one for me! But here is a fun guide to choosing footed pajamas for adults. Take a look at the list of celebs wearing footed PJs towards the middle of the page. And check this out. There are PJs for dogs too! Maybe one can get a matching set? Lol! I actually bought my onesies through this site all about adult footed pajamas
If you buy online, be careful about the sizes. My choice size S was too big for me. In fact, my husband could fit into them. My friend concluded it’s size S for giants. But I had no problem as they offered to change it.

Beauty Shopping: Shiseido Daily Bronze Moisturizing Emulsion

Today I restocked on Estee Lauder Anti-Stress Masks and I got something new – a bronzing daily moisturizer by Shiseido. Last summer I didn’t use anything of a kind. didn’t really care how pale my skin looked… I just gave birth and the only thing on my mind was how to survive on a couple hours sleep a day. Well I survived and this spring I feel I already want my skin to glow. So I didn’t actually do any inquiries or any research into what’s available out there. Just walked into a store talked to a sales girl and chose Shisedo based on the intensity of the color it provides which is very light, no smell and the added benefit of anti-oxidant protection.

Let’s see how it works for me!

In addition to my purchases I got a wonderful present: a cosmetic bag by Shiseido with a Perfect Rouge lipstick in RD 514 and a Smoothing Lip Pencil in RD 305, Shiseido Advanced Essential Energy Hand Nourishing Cream, Benefiance Pure Retinol Instant Treatment Eye Mask, Replenishing Body Cream and Refining Body Exfoliator. Lucky me! Looking forward to trying everything out.

More on Shiseido skin care products

Make Up Tip: Make Your Face Look Slimmer

The secret to making your face look thinner with makeup is contouring, enhancing the angles in your face. Here are a couple easy tips for those who have a round face and want to make it look slimmer.

*While applying blush smile and apply it to the front of your cheeks. This will make your face look thinner.

* Contour cheeks by applying pale brown face powder or bronzer (no shimmer!) in the hollows of your cheeks. Try making a fish face to better see where to apply. This trick will create a light shadow effect that will bring out your cheek bones and make your face look slimmer.

* Another trick I came accross online is to use 2 (or even 3) shades of blush to contour your cheeks. One light shade is applied in circular motions on the apples of your cheeks and the deeper shade is applied just below the cheekbones. Blend well! I have not tried this trick yet, so if you have, please let me know your impressions and opinions in comments to this post.


In this photo I used bronzer to accentuate the cheekbones. I also applied shimmery highlighter at the top of cheek apples. Actually now that I look at this photo I am thinking that it was a bit too much shimmer :-)

Check out tip on how to use makeup to look younger

Beauty Review: Payot Pate Grise Purifying Care

Promise:
Masks small blemishes and helps them disappear

Product Profile in Short:
Thanks to its active ingredients Pate Grise masks small blemishes and helps them disappear. Your face appears clear and blemish free.

Close-up on Active Ingredients:
Lanolin
Talc
Zinc Oxide
Paraffinum Liquidum (Mineral Oil)
Prunis Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil
Petrolatum
Ichtamol
Aqua (water)


Experience:
Texture: resembles and ointment
Smell: no perfume, sort of medical
Payot’s Pate Grise is one of my all time favorite skin care products. It is my secret weapon against break outs! Yes, it is a bit smelly and yes, it looks funny but the most important thing is that it works!!! When I see the first signs of a pimple I run over to get my Pate Grise jar. I apply it on the spot and often the next day it disappears. Sometimes if it persists I apply Pate Grise over the night. To ensure it doesn’t end up on my pillow before it has a chance to do its magic, I put a piece of Band-Aid over the spot. You don’t need much of the product because you need to apply it only on the affected spot. What else needs to be said: it lasts forever and it really works. It’s a great product!

Price Tag:
30$

Bottom Line:
It’s not easy to find a product that fights against acne as effectively as Pate Grise. I’m happy I discovered Pate Grise and will definitely stick to it to keep my skin “ spotless”!

Beauty Talk: Cellulite Treatments (Continued)

Celulite Treatments continued... see previous post here

Exercise: Any form of exercise makes skin tighter, firmer and cellulite less apparent.

*Water (Aqua) Aerobics does not only make you fit but also seems to firm up your skin and provide a toned lifting effect. This effect could be due to the water massaging your skin during exercise. Tried myself!

*Pilates, in particular, prevents fluid build up, creates longer leaner muscles.

*Hypoxi Training
This is something like a combination of an exercise bike and a vacuum machine As you pedal, machine around your hips and thigh area sucks and releases air increasing both blood supply and circulation. As a result it claims to help to breakdown fatty deposits in the problem areas, tone up skin and make cellulite less noticeable. Curious? Take a look at Hypoxi traning site for more info

Camouflage: Use a self-tanner for a bronzed look. Cellulite is less noticeable on darker skin.

In-Office Treatments:
Fillers- injecting hyaluronic acid based Restylane into cellulite affected areas helps to plump up skin and make it look smoother The effect can last up to 6 months.

Lasers: Nowadays a number of special laser treatments are available to treat cellulite. They help to melt fat and to stimulate collagen which results in reduced volume and tightened skin.

Make Up Tip: Get Full Sensuous Lips

Here are a couple easy tips on how to get your lips to look fuller
* apply highlighter or balm into a bow of your upper lip and into the corners of the mouth. This will make your lips stand out and look fuller
* a little secret, if you have thin lips you may prefer to use a pencil with a bit dull tip to line them. Hard thin edges make lips look smaller. Or just make sure to blend your lip liner.
* apply lipliner a bit outside of the natural lip line. Be very careful here, a bit too far and it will look unnatural. You don’t want to look like a drag queen, right?
* want a full pout - avoid matte lipstick that will only make your lips look smaller. Stick with shimmer and gloss.
* to create an illusion of a full mouth after applying lipstick add a touch of lighter shade lipstick or gloss in the middle of the lower lip. You may leave it at this but I add just a tiny touch of the same color in the middle of the upper one as well.

Beauty Talk: Cellulite Treatments

Before reading this post you may want to read about cellulite and its causes in my previous post. So now let's bring out the weapon! What Cellulite Treatments are out there to help us?

The bad news is that some dermatologists say that there is no treatment for cellulite. Ok... ok! You cannot treat it completely but you can at least improve condition and the overall look of your skin. Let’s see how we can get those thighs smooth!

Topical Treatments:

* Retinol: retinol containing creams stimulate collagen and strengthens skin so that cellulite is much less apparent.

* Caffeine: helps to temporarily smooth skin by reducing water retention. Cellulite patches with caffeine are great! Tried myself and can recommend. I liked Nivea's Good-Bye Cellulite Patches. The effect on my lower stomach was as if I lost some weight overnight.

* Heat and Hydration: Take a hot bath with hydrating oils: heat increases blood flow and hydration plumps up skin so it looks smoother.

* Exfoliation: Exfoliation not only gets rid of dry skin and stimulates circulation, it also improves penetration of topical anti-cellulite treatments.

Deep Massage: Massage stimulates blood flow to the skin surface and lymph circulation, this again improves the overall condition of your skin, helps it to detoxify and makes it healthier and smoother. The same effect can be achieved with Endermology – a machine that rolls and sucks skin.

To be continued...

Beauty Review: La Prairie Light Fantastic Cellular Concealing Brightening Eye Treatment

Promise (laprairie.com):
...refreshes and illuminates your eye zone while concealing imperfections such as puffiness and dark under-eye circles...

Product Profile in Short (laprairie.com):
Combining both cosmetic and skincare properties, it effectively minimizes signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles, while adding a touch of radiance.


Contains:
Ginseng Root Ectract, Papaya Extract, Camomile etc.

Close-up on Active Ingredients:
Water
Cyclopentasiloxane
Isononyl Isononanoate
Cyclohexasiloxane
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Glycerin
Diisopropyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Butylene Glycol
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Talc
C18-36 Acid Trigluceride
Sodium Chloride
Glycoproteins
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail) Extract
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Carica Papaya Leaf Extract
Aesculus Hippocastanum (Horse Chesnut) Seed Extract
Glycosaminoglycans
Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile) Flower Extract
Lauryl Mathacrylateb / Glycol DimethacrylateCrosspolymer
….

My Experience and Impressions:
When I was buying this concealer, I wasn’t even aware of its double purpose as makeup and skincare. Later on, when I looked at the ingredients more carefully and read up on it, I realized that La Prairie Light Fantastic is a multi-tasker. Great! I appreciate such products!!!
I liked its texture from the moment I tried it at the counter! I liked how smoothly it went onto the skin and how it looked on it – just seemed to melt into the skin. I got the lightest shade #10. It was the best choice for my medium-fair skin. However, to tell you the truth the first several times I applied it I felt a bit allergic. Maybe it was just me focusing my attention on my sensations too much. Later on I did not notice any reaction.
Of course using La Prairie Light Fantastic I was all the time comparing it to the genius YSL Touche Eclat. The first difference between YSL and La Prairie concealers is their texture. La Prairie Light Fantastic has a very creamy texture. It feels like a rich eye cream - not makeup. The concealing powers differ as well. La Prairie Light Fantastic doesn’t offer intense coverage but seems to look more natural as it doesn’t at all get into lines. Everyone knows concealer gathering in fine lines is way worse than wearing no concealer at all! So it’s a huge plus for La Prairie Light Fantastic! However you can’t really build up coverage with Laprairie Light Fantastic. Yes, it is subtle but this has its benefits as well - apply it as much as you want and you won't end up with those weird white circles around your eyes.

I do not use La Prairie Light Fantastic as I used to use YSL to brighten up the face and lift up eye brow. Because of the texture and the subtle color it just doesn’t feel right to use it for this purpose. I apply La Prairie Light Fantastic concealer with an applicator brush under my eyes and pat it lightly into the skin – it blends perfectly and looks very natural…


Price Tag:
70$

Bottom Line:
I like this product! The texture is great and the fact that it has double purpose is wonderful. I think the price is good because you get a refill as well! However if you need stronger coverage I would go with YSL Touche Eclat.

Beauty Tip: Sleep On Your Back

Like to sleep on your side? May not be so good for your skin. Sleeping on the side can lead to creases forming on the cleavage from physical force of skin on skin. That’s why it’s better to sleep on your back. Sleeping on your back will not only give you a crease free cleavage but also will help to avoid some facial wrinkles. For instance, did you know that nosolabial folds form deeper on the favorite sleeping side? In fact sleeping on your side can eventually interfere with the whole symmetry of your facial features.

Beauty Talk: Cellulite - Identifying the Enemy!

The first days of spring are here and though it’s still quite long before we bare it all on the beach, it is time to take action to make sure that what we bare is smooth and toned. So I thought it would be good to take a closer look at the cellulite issue. Are you familiar with the orange peel syndrome or as it’s also called cottage cheese skin? For several years I thought I had cellulite but I was one of the many women who see problem where there is none. But this year I do have a slight problem! After giving birth my body changed and now I can definitely see some dimples on my thighs. Time to take measures.

Identifying the Enemy: what is cellulite?

It is a cosmetic condition where the skin becomes dimpled due to the fat forming and “bulging” near the skin surface. Cellulite rarely occurs in males, mostly we, women, are blessed with this condition. In fact it is very common and as many as 90% of women develop cellulite after their puberty!


Focus On The Problem: Cellulite Causes

Causes of cellulite are not completely clear. It definitely has something to do with hormones, genes and metabolism. Estrogen seems to be the “culprit” initiating and aggravating cellulite.

Here comes sort of good news: diet doesn’t seem to have any influence on developing cellulite. Anybody can have this problem: thin, medium and heavy gals, all can get cottage cheese skin. Such factors as lymphatic and circulatory insufficiency, distribution of fat and some other factors out of our controll, such as race for example, are linked to development of cellulite.

Coming soon: Pull Out The Weapon: Cellulite Treatments!