Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Skin Care and Beauty Blog Made it to the Top!

Just discovered that Skin Care and Beauty Blog made it to the Top 100 Beauty Blogs carefully selected by skincare-news.com editors.

Yay! Thanks for selecting my blog for this awesome list of best beauty blogs! I am really flattered :-)

I recommend all beauty fans check out this list for blogs in your area of interest: guys at skincare-news.com spent a lot of time browsing through, reading and reviewing beauty blogs for their top 100 list. Wow, great job!
Oh, and if you have a favorite beauty blog that is not on the list, you are welcome to send it in for consideration!

Looking For Holiday Makeup Inspiration

This year I didn’t have time to blog about all the holiday make up collections out there. And they are as always lovely!
Today I was looking through this year’s collections searching for some inspiration for my holiday makeup. Here are some looks that attracted my attention…






I really like Dior’s look in light purple! I have to confess, I just love all the shades of purple. I have quite a collection of them from various brands. However in terms of Christmas and New Years I still gravitate to red and gold as the colors of choice for the holiday evening look. Funny but even my Christmas tree is decorated in red and gold! So I guess that’s why my favorites would be Estee Lauder’s Ultimate Red and Clarins’ Palazzo D’Oro.

Beauty Shopping: What Beauty Products Are on Your Christmas Wish List?

This Christmas as always my hubby inquired sweetly what I would like to see among the presents under the Christmas tree. I didn’t tell him I have been dreaming about trying an SK II product and am very curious in giving a try to Galvanic SPA from Nu Skin. I think I’ll reserve these for anniversaries or something like that. But there are 2 products currently on my wish list: Guerlain eye cream – Success Eye Tech Up-Lifting Wrinkle Reducer (Eye Cellular Amber) and Dior Svelte Reversal Body Contouring and Firming Concentrate. Actually, I just realized that Guerlain’s eye cream is extremely expensive. As I can see in online stores it is around 100$ so maybe it was a bit too much to ask for :-)

If you read my blog you know that I am constantly in search for an effective eye cream to keep eye puffiness and wrinkles at bay. I need to upgrade from my favorite Guerlain Happylogy to something a bit stronger. So I am constantly asking for samples of eye creams whnever I buy a skin care product. I’ve tested a lot of eye creams some of which were really great and showed great result, like Bio Performance by Shiseido, for example. But I am sensitive to most of them and get irritated red eyes as a reaction. Guerlain’s Success Eye Tech seemed to work ok for me so I want to try and make a switch.

As for Dior’s Svelte Concentrate, I’ve been curious about it since summer. I tested Clinique’s High Definition Body Lift which was ok. I know winter is not the high season for contouring your body but I personally try to stay fit and keep skin smooth all year round! So now I would really love to try Dior’s product.

So are there any beauty products on your list?

Makeup Tip: Give Your Eyes an Immediate Lift – 3 Quick and Easy Tricks

How to get more open bright younger looking eyes with the help of makeup? If you don’t know yet these tricks, you will be surprised how easy it is!

Arch! Create an arch by shaping and combing up your brows. Brow’s importance in defining the eye area is often underestimated. I tend to ignore my brows so often – big mistake! By shaping and creating a nice arch, you will visually lift up the whole eye area and get a younger look. Determine a brow shape that works for you using the three point technique (see a very short video below). Pluck your eye brows, brush them up and fix with eye brow gel. You can also use some hair spray on an eye brow brush to brush brows up.

Highlight! Create a highlight. Apply some light shadow or highlighter right under the brow starting from the arch and toward the outer edge. Blend well. This will give immediate lifting effect.

Curl! Curl your lashes – twice! First try to get as close to the lash line as possible then curl again in the middle. As a result your eyes will look more open and bigger.

Beauty Find: Clothes Help to Fight Acne

Can you imagine: clothes that's not only stylish but has SPF and also fights acne! Unbelievable but true! A smart company SunSoul created a line of clothes “blumod” that, as they claim, will help blemished skin. How? With the help of “professional light treatment technology”! SunSoul specializes in clothing made from what they call Fluorescent Therapeutic Materials. The latter provides protection from the damaging UV rays and uses sun light to benefit your skin.

So the type of material used in the blumod line turns broad-spectrum light into a narrow wavelength of blue light which kills bacteria and this way helps to fight acne. Obviously it treats acne only on the parts of the body it covers. Blumod line offers men's and women's shirts, unisex shirts, hats and accessories.

I find this a very interesting idea. As a teenager I suffered from acne on my back which was so frustrating and embarrassing for me then. So I can really associate and understand a need for such clothes… I wonder if it really works… What do you think?

Beauty Ingredient: Syn-ake

Photo by Pedro Marinello Kairath at Flickr.com
What only cosmetic industry doesn’t resort to to provide us with the most modern effective anti-aging solutions. They even turn to snakes in search of inspiration! Syn-ake is a chemical modeled on the paralyzing snake venom of a southeast Asian temple viper. Syn-ake as you probably already guessed is actually meant to sound similar to “snake”. The chemical is used in skin care to achieve Botox-like muscle relaxing effect and is manufactured by a Swiss company Pentapharm. Syn-ake penetrates skin and blocks the nerve receptors bringing down the muscle movement.
Why resort to Botox if the same effect could be achieved with a topical product? Of course there are those who say that applying a muscle paralyzing product all over your face is extreme. And that does sound weird, doesn’t it? But I say, I would give it a try and see if it works. Here are a couple products containing Syn-ake that I found:
Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle Line
Z. Bigatti Rescue

Beauty Review: Clarins Stretch Mark Control

Promise:
Helps Reduce the Appearance of Stretch Marks, Promotes Skin Elasticity and Comfort

Product Profile in Short:
Three targeted actions help prevent and reduce the appearance of stretch marks while comforting skin during pregnancy or periods of weight fluctuation.

Close-up on Active Ingredients:

Aqua, Cyclomethicone, Catearyl Alcohol, Carpylic/ Capric Triglyceride, Isononyl Isononenoate, alcohol, hydrogenated coco-glycerides, Glycerin, Cetaryl Glucoside, Squalane, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Asiaticoside, Pluacrylamide, Dimethicone, Carbomer, Octyldodeceth-25, c13-14 Isoparafin, Disodium Edta, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydrozide, Sodium Cetearyl sulfate.

Experience:
Becoming a mom is the most exciting event of your life. I was really looking forward to this fulfilling experience. However motherhood comes with certain “side-effects”. Namely – stretch marks… Determined to do my best to minimize the imprint of pregnancy on my body and skin, I chose Clarins Stretch Mark Control to help prevent stretch marks. Read more about my experience below.

Texture: creamy, but not overly oily nor heavy
Smell: no fragrance

I liked the texture of this product. It is not too heavy but very moisturizing and nourishing. I used it mostly on my tummy and breasts. After massaging the cream in I could get dressed in about 3-5 minutes. It gets absorbed fairly quickly and leaves skin very soft and smooth. However you have to watch the amount you put on. I noticed that if you use too much it would turn into crumbs and would feel unpleasant, kind of itchy on the skin.

I didn’t have much problems with irritated itchy skin so cannot comment on weather Clarins Stretch Mark Control relieves itchiness from the stretching. But what I can say is that I had NO stretch marks after I gave birth! So either it is good genes, good luck or Clarins Stretch Mark Control works. Note, I was very diligent with applying this cream. I started early on at 2.5-3 months and from 4th month would apply it twice daily. And let me tell you, Clarins Stretch Mark Control was quite an investment. I would go through one tube in 1.5 months…

Price Tag:
49$

Bottom Line:
This is a very good product. However, no one will guarantee that it will work for you... but it worked for me so it’s worth trying!

Quick Fix: Sooth Red Irritated Skin

Be it a hot summer day or freezing winter weather, smokey bar or a peeling session gone wrong, but as a result you have a situation with red stressed skin. What can you do and what will work quick?! To sooth red irritated skin soak a cloth or a towel in cold milk and apply to your face. Repeat several times. Milk Protein has soothing effect on the skin. Cold constricts blood vessels and relieves redness and puffiness. Other soothing ingredients you can use instead of milk are Chamomile, Aloe Vera and Witch Hazel.

Beauty Review: Dove Nutrium Moisture Body Wash

Tagline:
Cares for surface skin ten layers deep

Promise:
Restores skin’s natural moisture while cleansing with body wash

Product Profile in Short:
• Repairs and maintains skin’s protective layer during cleansing
• Unlike moisturizers in other body washes, Dove Body Wash with NutriumMoisture™ penetrates surface skin deep down to replenish and nourish
• Clinically proven to significantly reduce dryness and improve moisturization


Experience:
Texture: creamy, similar to a body lotion
Smell: light warm feminine scent

Dove Nutrium Moisture line of body washes is available in Deep Moisture, Sensitive Skin and Gentle Exfoliating. Recently I have been using the Deep Moisture and my Mom, who seems to be allergic to everything and can use only unscented baby soap, has started a Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash. I have to say when it comes to indulging into a body care product, Dove is at the top of my list. Ever since I was a teenager I loved those moisturizing soaps by Dove and now I regularly use moisturizing and anti-aging skin care products like Dove Pro Age Neck Cream and Dove Silk Glow. That’s why Dove Nutrium Deep Moisture completely lived up to my expectations. It has creamy beautiful texture that makes it a pleasure to apply in a shower and nice light but not overwhelming scent. But don’t expect much of the lather it feels more like a creamy body lotion on the skin. Such texture and the smell just make you want to keep rubbing it on another extra minute… After washing it off my skin feels very soft and it has this nice warm feminine scent. Dove Body Wash does its job gently without causing dry skin. It actually contains some natural moisturizing ingredients such as soybean oil and sunflower seed oil so it not only cleanses your skin but helps to keep it moisturized.
Oh and my Mom is very happy about her Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash – she gets no allergies, only clean and soft skin!

Beauty Review: La Mer SPF 30 UV Protecting Fluid

Product Tag Line:
A treatment that is light years ahead of its time.

Promise:
this high-powered treatment utilizes a unique sunscreen blend to provide broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection while keeping skin soft, comfortable and hydrated

Product Profile in Short:
At http://www.cremedelamer.com I read:
- Tourmaline and malachite gemstones absorb light energy, transforming it into beneficial green light to enhance anti-oxidant activity.
- Exclusive photonic spheres capture light while diverting potentially damaging light from the skin.
- The SPF 30 UV Protecting Fluid utilizes smart seaweeds to keep skin comfortable, hydrated and soothed. These natural humectants attract moisture to the skin and create a protective, emollient barrier, helping to prevent dehydration.
- Luxurious and lightweight to the touch, this transparent fluid formula is an ideal makeup primer.


Close-up on Active Ingredients:
Water
Cyclopentasiloxane - silicone
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate - Emollient
Phenyl Trimethicone - silicone
Methyl Trimethicone - Skin-Conditioning Agent
Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate - Emollient
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Sislesquioxane Crosspolymer - VISCOSITY CONTROLLING
Butylene Glycol – Humectant, Emollient
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer - Film Former; Viscosity Increasing Agent
Glycerin - humectant
Dimethicone - Skin-Conditioning Agent - Occlusive
Chodnrus Crispus – Carrageenan Extract – Skin Conditioning Agent, Extract from Red Seaweed
Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract - Skin Conditioning Agent
Magensium Sulfate - VISCOSITY CONTROLLING
Crithmum Maritimum Extract – Sea Fennel Extract, tonic, skin conditioning
Pantethine
Yeast Extract
Malachite
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Ethylhexylglycerin
……
Tourmaline
…..
Fragrance
Geraniol
Hydroxycitronellal
Limonene
Linalool
Citonellol
Sporbic Acid
Phenoxyethanol
Green 5

I didn’t have enough patience to put down all of those long chemical names but I listed most of them. As you see the promised gems are in there! So that’s what we paid the high price for! There are several silicones and skin conditioning emollients at the beginning of the list and I see 2 humectants. All these ingredients should help to keep skin moisturized. Pay attention to several seaweeds extracts - look good!

Experience:
Texture: very thin and liquidy
Smell: light sweet fragrance

La Mer SPF 30 UV Protecting Fluid sounds mysterious and high-tech with gemstones that turn light energy into beneficial green light to enhance anti-oxidant activity. Usually such descriptions make me suspicious. But let’s remember the famous Crème de La Mer. The legend of how this product came to be is quite unbelievable plus nobody knows how it actually works, even its creator. However I really liked the results. So I decided to give La Mer Protecting Fluid a try.

In spite of my great respect for La Mer, I was not particularly happy with this product. First of all, even though it is the thinnest and “liquidest” sun protection I’ve ever used, it feels very oily on the skin. So even though La Mer says it is “light” I would disagree and call it heavy. I did not like the feeling of oil on my skin and would not recommend it for oily skin types. In addition, I could not find anywhere on the box or product description a mention that it is non comedogenic. Since I did get break outs several times when I was using La Mer SPF 30 Protecting Fluid and taking into consideration that it is oily and does have a couple silicones and occlusives on the list, I attribute the nasty spots to the use of La Mer SPF 30 Protecting Fluid.

Bottom Line:
I will not buy La Mer SPF 30 Protecting Fluid again. It has too many drawbacks for the high price tag. I guess the gems didn’t work for me! Better stick to wearing them in my earrings!


Price Time:
65-70$

Perricone Giveaway Winner!

Sorry it took me so long to announce a winner for the recent Giveaway for Perricone MD Eye Serum with Vitamin C Ester . The lucky winner is Wanda from California! Congratulations! The prize is already on its way! Enjoy this wonderful anti-aging product from Perricone MD!

Beauty Review: Celibre Antioxidant Serum

I’ve turned 30 this month. Applying makeup on the day of my actual birthday I noticed a line in the corner of my mouth. Well, I thought to myself, it’s kind of nice to get a first line from laughing and smiling and not from frowning... On the other hand, it’s time to step up the efforts of preventing and fighting the signs of aging. Now I have graduated into the anti-age group and can test and try anti-wrinkle treatments. This month I am testing Celibre Antioxidant Serum with TGF-B-1 Growth Factor.


Promise:
A unique serum that delivers skin enhancing benefits of 10% pure, stabilized L-Ascorbic Acid in combination with liposome encapsulated TFG-beta-1 growth factor.

Product Profile in Short:
- Stimulates collagen growth with Vitamin C and growth factor TGF-beta-1
- Improves skin texture and tone resulting in younger, healthier looking skin

Close-up on Active Ingredients:
Cyclomethicone, L-Ascorbic Acid, Silicone Polymer, Dimethicone, Purifed Water, Dimethicone Copolyol, Phopholipids, TGF-beta-1, Cimicifuga racemosa Extract.

Two central ingredients of Celibre Antioxidant Serum are Vitamin C and Human Growth Factor TGF Beta One. Products with Vitamin C are very beneficial for our skin. Vitamin C stimulates collagen production, provides anti-oxidant protection to skin cells and also increases cells turnover helping to achieve smoother, brighter and healthier looking skin. Human Growth Factor (HGF), according to cosmeticscop.com, is “a complex family of hormones that are produced by the body to control cell growth and cell division in skin, blood, bone, and nerve tissue”. Some research proves that HGF can be very effective in treating wrinkles. However cosmeticscop.com notes that there has not yet been enough research into “long-term risks or stability”.

Experience:
Texture: thick and creamy
Scent: not scented
My first impression of the serum was that it is very thick and rich. However when I pumped some on my fingertip and applied it on the skin I was surprised to see that it is not at all heavy. It almost immediately melts into the skin and I don’t really feel it at all. There is a warning on the package saying that people with sensitive skin may experience some “transient tingling sensation”. I did feel light stinging at the beginning and one time when I had a small cut on my cheek. But I experienced no irritation. I have to mention that this product has some bonus features of a primer. Upon application, right away my skin looks smooth, silky and matte. So this is a big plus! Already in a week I could see some positive changes in my skin’s tone and texture. It started to look smoother and had more glow to it.

Price Tag:
80$

Bottom Line:
Good anti-aging product that shows result in a matter of weeks!

Beauty Review: Skin MD Shielding Lotion

It’s definitely getting coooold outside. Brrrr… Is your skin also feeling the change of seasons? Of course it does! The cold air outdoors and drying air from heating indoors throw it completely out of balance and weaken its protective barrier. As a result you can have dryer and more sensitive skin in autumn and winter. That is what happens to me, unless I change my moisturizer from a light summer variant to a heavier (but non-comedogenic) winter one. Recently I have been testing Skin MD’s Shielding Lotion. Here is my review.

Product Tag Line:
Your Skin Has Rarely Felt or Looked So Good

Promise:
Exceptionally enhances your skin’s hydrating and protective abilities

Product Profile in Short:
- Far more effective than conventional moisturizers
- Promptly absorbs, transforming the outer layer of skin into a hydrating invisible shield
- Finest natural ingredients
- Regeneration is fully realized within a few days


Close-up on Active Ingredients:
Deionized water (Aqua)
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract (Aloe Vera) – has soothing and regenerating effect
Cyclopentasiloxane - silicone fluid
Dimethicone – silicone, occlusive
Methyl Gluceth-20 – emollient, humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E) - powerful antioxidant, produces anti-aging, regenerating effect
Arnica Montana Flower Extract (Arnica) - reduces inflammation
Symphytum Officinale Leaf Extract (Comfrey) – has soothing, healing, anti-bacterial properties
Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Extract (Chamomile) - healing, tonic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
Achillea Millefolium Extract (Yarrow) - anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer - thickener
1,2 Hexanediol - humectant
Caprylyl Glycol - humectant
Butylene Glycol- humectant
Aminomethyl Propanol – thickener and PH-adjuster
Phenoxyethanol - preservative

As you see, there are many humectants. These ingredients are responsible for attracting water to the skin. I can see one occlusive ingredient (Dimethicone) that helps to lock the moisture in but still allows the Sheilding Lotion to have wonderfully light texture. There are also many soothing and healing ingredients that help skin to regenerate and function at its best. You can actually find a very detailed information about each ingredient at the Skin MD website

Experience:
Texture: light lotion
Smell: very subtle natural scent

Skin MD Shielding Lotion won a point with me before I even tried it and as soon as I read the ingredient list. I love products that are not artificially perfumed. So often I get allergic to perfumed products that I am getting frustrated with the whole idea of scenting a skin care product. I can put on a perfume when I want to! Back to the Shielding Lotion... It won another point when I tested its texture… The texture of The Shielding Lotion is very light, not heavy or oily. It is super light and absorbs fast. Leaves no residue on the skin. Light texture for a product that helps to rebuild skin’s barrier is a big advantage, trust me! Such products usually tend to have very occlusive heavy feel to them.
Skin MD Shielding Lotion says it is for face, hands and body. This made me a bit skeptical because I am a great believer in a separate jar for each body part! :-) I would never put anything on my face that is supposed to be used for hands as I think that skin on face and hands is quite different so its needs would be different as well. However I did “take the risk” and used Shielding Lotion as a facial moisturizer. How surprised I was when not only I didn’t break out but my skin became smoother, brighter and healthier looking. I applied Shielding Lotion morning and evening and I didn’t have to reapply it during the day. My skin felt well moisturized and very comfortable.

Price Tag:
18$
Bottom Line:
Good product for a good price!