Beauty Controversy: Sperm Has Anti-Aging Effect On The Skin

Photo by Sperm Art at flickr.com
What only won’t you slather on your skin in the hope of becoming younger and more beautiful, right!? Oops, wait! Maybe there are limits to the weird stuff we put on our faces. What about recent discoveries revealing that sperm can effectively fight free radicals and have an anti-aging effect on the skin. Some time ago I came across an article in Cosmo (May 2010) talking about the new “wonder drug”. Scientists call it Spermidine – we call it just sperm. It appears, that in addition to semen being effective against depression when absorbed through the walls of vagina, it also increases lifespan of human immune cells. Studies also show that it acts as a powerful antioxidant protecting your skin from destructive free radicals. Guess what… a couple spas are already offering spermidine facials. Thanks God the sperm is not donated by guys from the street but is created synthetically. Finally, according to Cosmo there are already spermidine creams available on the market. Really? Any examples?

Would you use a spermidine moisturizer?

Beauty Review and Giveaway: Dove Ultimate Anti-Perspirant Deodorant

If you remember, recently I made a post on how to get lighter and softer skin under your arms. A couple tips included rubbing in whitening lotion and frequently replacing your shaver… Well, just about a week later I was surprised to learn that Dove actually came out with a new line of deodorants developed specially to take care, moisturize and protect the very area of armpits! That’s a really good idea, taking into account that with all the care you need to take of other parts of our bodies we tend to ignore the needs of underarms skin. We think it needs no care whatsoever, even though we subject the delicate skin in this area to daily shaving which, in fact, thins out the top layer of the skin by as much as 20% and as a result often leads to irritation, discoloration and dryness.

Deodorants in Dove’s New Ultimate line are developed based on a tri-moisturizing system and contain ingredients that provide occlusive, humectant and nourishing effects on the skin. Here is how it works: Humectant draws water to the skin, occlusive keeps the water locked in and the nourishing moisturizer of natural sunflower oil softens and boosts the skin's natural moisture barrier. As a result skin is moisturized and conditioned, soothed and protected and is beautiful, soft and smooth.

Dove contacted me and asked if I would like to try out this new product. Of course, I would! I got so curious! So I’ve tested the Sheer Silk and Light Radiance deodorants. Here is my honest opinion. I usually avoid anti-perspirants with fragrance because my skin tends to get irritated and I just prefer to wear my favorite perfume alone :-). In case with Dove Ultimate Sheer Silk deodorant I had no problem with either irritation or fragrance which is so very subtle and tender… It just has this very very light pleasant floral smell of cleanliness! Light Radiance has a more pronounced fragrance with wooden and floral notes. As far as the texture goes, Dove Ultimate is a solid deodorant but when you apply it to the skin, it feels like a silky cream. The skin definitely feels softer and moisturized. And even though I can’t get into a habit of frequently replacing my razor for a sharper one I had no problem with irritation after shaving whatsoever…

And for the end of my review I saved a couple tips for an at-home spa treatment for your armpits!!! Dove came up with a special treatment and with a special name for a procedure to pamper underarm skin - PitiCure (analogical with pedicure!). First, exfoliate underarm skin with a washcloth, shave under the shower to soften the skin and make sure to use a shaving cream, pat dry and apply Dove Ultimate to soften and moisturize. I guess here is all you need to know to have smooth and soft underarms! :-)

Want to try Dove Ultimate Deodorant for yourself? Leave a comment and tell us what you think of the PitiCure and Dove Ultimate Deodorants. And d0n't forget to let me know your email. The winner will get Dove Ultimate Anti-Perspirant Deodorant in Light Radiance and one more chosen deodorant from the Ultimate line:

Ultimate Beauty Care (NEW Light Radiance, NEW Sheer Silk, Smooth Cashmere, Original Clean)

Ultimate Sensitive Care

Ultimate Visibly Smooth

Ultimate go fresh (NEW Revive – pomegranate and lemon verbena); Burst (nectarine and white ginger); Energize ( grapefruit and lemongrass); Cool Essentials ( cucumber and green tea)

The winner will be chosen randomly. The giveaway is for US residents only and is open till 20 June 2010!

FTC Disclaimer: The author received a free product for this review.

Beauty Find: Personalized Approach to Beauty Shopping at BeautyFix.com

Today I want to share a new beauty discovery. This time it’s not a product, it’s a website with a very unusual but smart concept. Have you heard of www.beautyfix.com? The idea of this site is to provide personalized approach to beauty. BeautyFix.com gives you a chance to use beauty products specially selected matching your profile and your skin’s needs. How does it work? When you become a member you fill out a questionnaire which reflects your skin type, skin issues, age etc. A panel of beauty experts chooses best products each season. Not only do they select their favorites, they also put together a list of products best for you based on your profile. Each season you get a kit of 8 products at the price of 49.9 USD. And as a recent member of beautyfix.com I can confirm that these are really good products by well known brands like 3 Lab and Perricone MD…


Curious? So here is what happens when you become a part of beautyfix community. First I filled out a short survey in which I answered various questions starting with my main skin concerns and finishing with the color of my eyes… then I entered a product area at which point I felt like a kid at a toy store! I’ve put together my kit of 8 products + a makeup bag and now it is on its way! But listen, it gets even more interesting. Members are encouraged to review the products they select and for filling out 2 or more surveys they get a 25$ gift card for glow.com. Wow! Reviewing product has never been so much fun! :-)

My kit has recently arrived and I was really impressed. It is a great deal even though 2 products were not full size. For example, 3 Lab M Lift Cream and Perricone MD Firming Neck Therapy look too small to be full size, they look more like delux samples. But just take a look at all the other products in my kit: IQ Derma Firming Body Gel, Chella Enzyme Exfoliating Mask, 3 Lab Perfect Cleanisng Foam, Pur-Lisse Lip Balm, SPA Face Neroli Water, and beautiful stylish makeup bags. It's still abolutely impossible to buy all the products in the kit for 49.9 USD. It's an amazing deal!


Check out BeautyFix!


Disclaimer: The author of this blog received a sample product for this post.

Beauty Find: Obagi Medical Products

Recently browsing internet in search of some effective serious skin care line I came across information about Obagi Medical and I got curious about a skin care line that’s available only through dermatologists. Hey, that’s serious, right!? Here is what I found out. Obagi Medical though news to me, is not at all new… it has actually been founded in 1990s by Zein Obagi, MD, a dermatologist. His approach to skin care has been criticized by some and loved by others. Today Obagi Medical is a well known popular skin care brand.

What is special about Obagi products is that they offer a multi-step system approach to treating various skin issues like signs of aging, hyperpigmentation, acne etc. Obagi skin care systems allow to adjust treatments depending on the patient’s response to products as well as to adjust intensity as the treatment progresses.

Obagi offers several lines. For example, Nu-Derm system is a corrective system and addresses signs of photodamage. Condition and Enhance System works to prevent future damage. ClenziDerm System fights acne.

I found Obagi products’ concept very logical and would like to try it myself. What about you? Have you ever used Obagi products?

Sources:
Obagi.com
Obagi products
Obagi review by dermstore.com

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.