Skin Care :The Fashionable Gal

Clarisonic & Arcona Kit Exclusively for Beauty.com

July 9th, 2010 by Laney

Available exclusively at Beauty.com, Clarisonic and Arcona partner to create a must-have kit for the skincare junkie in us all. Combining Clarisonic’s professional sonic cleansing technology with the leading holistic spa and skincare brand, Arcona, discover the secret to silky-smooth, radiantly fresh skin. The set retails for $149 ($207 value) and just launched on Beauty.com.

I already have a Clarisonic, and love the Gentle Hydro Cleanser that it came with. It’s the perfect cleanser to pair with the Clarisonic, as it’s gentle and creamy enough to work really well with the cleansing bristles of the Clarisonic. Some cleansers are too thin and make the brush head feel a bit scratchy, but that’s not the case with the Hydro Cleanser. As I already own most of the kit, the generous people from Beauty.com sent me the Arcona product duo to try out.

The Arcona products included are Booster Defense Serum and Magic White Ice. I’ve used Arcona products before and always had a positive experience, so I was expecting the same with these two – and of course, I wasn’t disappointed. It’s unsurprising that Clarisonic would have chosen fabulous products to pair with their miracle tool!

The first thing I noticed about both products is that they smell amazing. It’s a delicious, fruity scent that serves as a great pick me up in the morning. White Ice is a light, hydrating gel that works to moisturize, clarify, and neutralize free radicals. It leaves skin glowing and soothed, while addressing many skin concerns at once. The Booster Defense Serum is an “antioxidant cocktail” that regenerates at a deep, cellular level. It works to make skim firmer, stronger, and better protected against environmental stressors.

Both products are perfect for the summer, as they’re light and gentle. Overly creamy or goopy products will weigh your skin down, but these hydrate without overdoing it. And the smell! Seriously, the smell is reason enough for me to keep using them. They’ve been a great pick me up for my skin, and of course, work in perfect harmony with the Clarisonic!

CLARISONIC Exclusive Clarisonic Mia Arcona Set

Posted in Skin Care Related Topics: arcona, arcona and clarisonic, arcona booster defense serum, arcona magic white ice, clarisonic beauty.com exclusive, clarisonic gentle hydro cleanser, clarisonic mia

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New Favorite: H20 Anti-Acne Calming Corrector

July 5th, 2010 by Laney

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Turn To The Sea To See Results

An innovative daily multi-tasking serum and/or spot treatment, the new Anti-Acne Calming Corrector uses an exclusive complex of sea-derived Algin and Zinc Sulfate to reduce redness, absorb excess oil and diminishes surface shine while soothing irritated skin. And it doesn’t stop there: gentle versions of Salicylic and Glycolic acids banish pore-clogging impurities while keeping new ones from breaking out.

H20 sent me their Anti-Acne Calming Corrector for review in the Spring. Fortunately for me (but unfortunately for the review), my skin has been pretty calm since then. I’ve had a few whiteheads, but didn’t really find this to be the right product to treat them.

Last weekend, however, I woke up and my entire chin was hard. I don’t know what happened while I was sleeping, but there was a huge area that was about to erupt into massive acne. Immediately, I knew I needed to start treating the problem before there was a full on breakout. The product I reached for was H20′s Anti-Acne Calming Corrector, which I promptly slathered on.

Combined with a anti-targeting mask, thorough washing, and frequent reapplication of the H20 serum, inflammation and redness was reduced by about 50% by that night. So even though the issue wasn’t completely gone, it had become significantly reduced, rather than developing into a larger issue. Three days later, the redness and swelling is unnoticeable (except to me, when I scrutinize it in a magnifying mirror). This type of problem normally would have taken me at least a week to handle, but with the help of H20′s Calming Corrector, it’s just about gone already. I’m so happy, and glad I had this product on hand!

H20′s Anti-Acne Calmning Corrector is available from Ulta, or online from H20 Plus.

Posted in Skin Care Related Topics: acne corrector, best acne treatments, h20, h20 acne line, h20 acne treatment, h20 anti-acne calming corrector, h20 skincare, skin calming serum

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New at Mama Mio: Your Bikini Confidence Travel Kit

July 1st, 2010 by Laney

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Hip Hip Hooray – It’s Holiday time!

We have made a sweet little kit for you to pack on your travels. Your Bikini Confidence Travel Kit.

3 cute dinky tubes of our big performance bikini products – Get Waisted, Shrink To Fit, and Boob Tube. The perfect travel sized kit to pop in your bag and take your bikini confidence with you!

Contains:

Get Waisted Body Shaper 9 actives to flatten, firm and tighten tummy flab.30ml /1 fl oz

Boob Tube Bust & Neck Firmer for dive-in cleavage with a smooth, firm neck.30ml /1 fl oz

Shrink To Fit Cellulite Cream voted BEST cellulite cream by Elle Magazine.30ml /1 fl oz

The Bikini Confidence Travel Kit retails for an affordable $39 and is available online. The Fashionable Housewife and I both love Mama Mio products, so I highly recommend checking out this adorable little set!

Posted in Skin Care Related Topics: cellulite cream, Mama Mio, mama mio bikini confidence travel kit, mama mio body products, Mama Mio Boob Tube, mama mio cellulite cream, mama mio get waisted, mama mio shrink to fit, mama mio skincare, mama mio your bikini confidence travel kit

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Guest Article: Sun Safe Summer Skincare

June 30th, 2010 by Laney

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July has been dubbed The American Cancer Society’s “UV Safety Month.” Since beach weather (thankfully) doesn’t wait until July, you should know that you can have your cake and eat it too when it comes to a golden glow without the risks.

We all know by now that we need SPF, and with many makeup and face creams including at least SPF 15 already built in, that’s already a step in the right direction for many of us. I actually took a look around on my last shopping trip, and realized that it was almost harder to specifically find foundation or tinted moisturizer containing zero sun protection.

Now, if you’re not one to wear makeup to the beach or say, for an outdoor jog, you really must get familiar with a good facial sun block (in addition to one for body). Alba Botanica’s sun care line is a great choice for both, offering non-chemical protection up to SPF 45, and is loved by shoppers who choose natural products either for green reasons or skin sensitivity issues.

So what about the newer SPF 90+ lotions out there? While those with very fair, sun sensitive skin may want/need to go high with SPF, Dr. Edward Lack (Chicago rhinoplasty, dermatology) warns that this can become more of a marketing gimmick to make you feel like you need a higher and higher number whenever its available. Reapplying to keep that protection barrier on your skin strong is key, and will do a much better job than applying an extremely high SPF once and allowing it to wear off.

“Ideally you put on sunscreen an hour before going outside, then reapply it just before exposure. If you will maintain direct exposure as on the golf course or on a boat put the sunscreen on again every 2 hours,” Dr. Lack advises as a general rule.

Now that you are refreshed on staying adequately protected, we mustn’t forget the sunless tanner. If you’re a recovering sunbathing addict and haven’t tried one yet, now is the time; and sticking to some cult favorites will ensure a seamless transition into a faux glow with no looking back. Lavera’s sunless lotion is THE organic choice, while the entire Clarins’ line is highly recommendable- a favorite being the Self Tanning Instant Gel for a fast dash of color with no mess as you walk out the door in the morning. What’s not to love?

Written by Joseph Snyder, on behalf of MetropolitanMD, a Chicago liposuction, facial rejuvenation, and cosmetic surgery center.

Posted in Skin Care Related Topics: about sunscreen, alba botanica suncare line, best sunless tanner, clarins, clarins self tanning instant gel, clarins sun protection, guide to spf, joseph snyder, lavera sunless lotion, metropolitanMD, skin protection, summer skin protection, sunscreen guidelines

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Latest in Skincare: Bambola Beauty (GIVEAWAY – ARV $75)

June 28th, 2010 by Laney

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Faith Zelenko’s beauty obsession started at the age of 18 when she attended beauty school. In her later years, she developed an interest in aromatherapy and essential oils which lead to a regiment of using natural skincare products. She worked for a cosmetic manufacturing company, was a retail beauty consultant and most recently worked with a QVC beauty maven. Faith passed her passion down to her only daughter, Kristine, who would graduate college and enter the world of beauty by landing a job at one of the largest cosmetic companies in the world.

Faith and her daughter have combined their years of unique experience to fulfill their lifelong dream. Their dream has resulted in the launch of skincare brand Bambola Beauty, which combines a “strategy of blending natural and botanical elements with science to create a full line of natural skincare products for every skin type.” They worked tirelessly with a team of chemists and skincare professionals, and the result is a line of exclusive products that deliver big results.

I love the story of how Bambola Beauty was launched. My passion for makeup started watching my mom getting ready to go out. We still love to shop for cosmetics, discuss the products I’m reviewing, and give each other beauty related gifts. In fact, one of my greatest pleasures in reviewing products is getting to take handfuls of shiny new “toys” to my mom when I visit her. Because of this, I’m endeared to Bambola Beauty before I even began checking out their products!

Faith Zelenko contacted me and offered me the opportunity to review Bambola’s “Get Acquainted Kit” (an $89 value that retails for $75). I’m constantly on the search for the Next Big Thing in skincare, so I was excited to check out this selection of fresh on the market products. The Get Acquainted Kit contains basically every product that the average woman needs in her skincare routine.

- CoEnzyme Repair Night Creme .25 fl. oz. (can be used for daytime)
- Mango Moisturizing Mask .25 fl. oz.
- Volcanic Mineral Scrub .5 fl. oz.
- Nourishing Apricot Cleansing Creme 2 fl. oz.
- Vitamin C Extreme Serum .25 fl. oz.
- Pomegranate Soothing Toner 2 fl. oz.
- Intensive Eye Creme 2g

It comes in a cute clear plastic case with a card that explains all of the products (instructions for use and ingredients). The kit is intended for Normal to Dry skin, which I had to keep in mind while using it on my combination skin.

The Nourishing Apricot Cleansing Creme was the first product I tried – you’ve gotta start with a clean face! The first thing I noticed was the heavenly apricot scent. The smell wasn’t artificial or overwhelming; rather, it was a light, natural fruity scent that made the cleanser a pleasure to use. I found that the cleanser worked best on the days where my skin was drier, but didn’t cut through the grime completely on very oily days (remember that this IS meant for normal/dry skin).

The Vitamin C Extreme Serum and Pomegranate Soothing Toner were great follow ups. The Vitamin C Serum caused a gentle, pleasant tingling when I applied it. The serum has “substantial anti-oxidant benefits this serum hydrates and replenishes dehydrated, mature or sun damaged skin” and it “combats visible premature aging by fighting destructive free radicals.” These are important benefits, particularly for older skin. The toner lives up to its title of being “soothing” – it helps calm my skin after a shower and cleans away any remaining bits of product. The smell is equally wonderful to that of the Cleansing Creme as well.

The CoEnzyme Repair Night Creme didn’t work extremely well for my skin. It tends to get more oily as the day progresses, so a cleanser that leans towards drier skin isn’t quite what I’m looking for. It works better for me in the morning when I wake up with dehydrated skin – and once again, I love the smell! The colors in this kit are very pretty, in a range of citrus shades, that make them visually appealing.

The Intensive Eye Creme comes in a tear-top envelop, which isn’t my favorite thing ever. I don’t like using products that can’t be resealed, so while this may have lasted a whole week, I only used it twice. The Intensive Eye Creme addresses the special needs of the “Eye Zone,” which is prone to visible signs of aging. It includes ingredients like Organic Marshmallow Extract, which increases circulation and reduces dark circles around the eye. Calming ingredients like Organic Calendula, Sea Buckthorn, and Organic Sunflower that refresh and encourage elasticity and smoothness.

The Volcanic Mineral Scrub and Mango Moisturizing Mask are the special treatment products included in the kit. I love scrubs – they work really well when I’ve been wearing I’m inordinate amounts of makeup or have been testing heavy products. Plus, they cut through that oil I keep mentioning! The Volcanic Mineral Scrub is no exception, and has definitely earned its place in my shower. The Mango Moisturizing Mask “revitalizes while enhancing skin condition and restoring natural suppleness, elasticity and softness.” It features Mango Butter, which is rich in Vitamin C, and Seaweed Extract. The combination rejuvenates and gently moisturizes dry, devitalized skin. It also contains Salicylic Acid, which gently exfoliates dead skin cells and reveals the fresh, healthy skin underneath.

Overall, I really enjoyed this kits. The products were visually appealing, smelled great, and had a definite positive impact on my skin. The Get Acquainted Kit is a wonderful way to sample Bambola Beauty’s products and discover which work best for you. Bambola Beauty is generously providing one of you ladies with a Get Acquainted Kit of your own, so you can see how Bambola works for you!

Contest Info: This contest will run until July 5th, 2010, 11:59 PM EST. You MUST complete the Mandatory Entry for all extra entries to count. Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry.

MANDATORY ENTRY: Visit Bambola Beauty and tell me a product you’d like to try that’s NOT included in the Get Acquainted Kit!

EXTRA ENTRIES:

Subscribe to Bambola’s Mailing List – 1 Entry

Subscribe to my mailing list (top sidebar) – 1 Entry

Follow @BambolaBeauty on Twitter – 1 Entry

Follow @FashionableGal on Twitter – 1 Entry

Fan Bambola Beauty on Facebook – 1 Entry

Fan The Fashionable Gal on Facebook – 1 Entry

Share any way you can think of (i.e. Facebook, Digg, Stumble) – 1 Entry per Location

Blog this Giveaway (leave a direct link) – 3 Entries

Tweet using the text below (max 2/day, min 2 hours apart) – 1 Entry per Tweet

#Win a @BambolaBeauty Get Acquainted Complete Skincare Kit (ARV $75) from @fashionablegal http://wp.me/pbj1u-1Xh

Posted in Contests & Giveaways, Skin Care Related Topics: bambola beauty, bambola beauty get acquainted kit, bambola beauty giveway, bambola skincare, faith zelenko, natural skincare

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ABC’s of Detecting a Bad Mole

May 14th, 2010 by Laney

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A huge perk of summer weather is basking in the warm sun for a sun-kissed glow (we’re all guilty!). Problem is, the harmful rays (both UVA and UVB) can cause irregularities which could lead to skin cancer. Once fall hits and our tan slowly fade, we notice newborn moles that never existed before!

The good news is that such moles are easily removed, and easily detected. A few pointers to avoid potentially harmful irregularities are to use sunscreen on a daily basis (even on a rainy day) and to check your body on a monthly basis to monitor changes. Taking these simple precautionary measures may reap significant benefits.

If you’re curious as to how to monitor changes on your skin, follow the ABCD rule to determine which moles may need to be evaluated by an expert.

Asymmetry

Border Irregularity

Color Changes

Diameters Bigger than 5 Millimeters

If you notice changes or are skeptical about an irregular mole, it’s best to seek a dermatologist for an expert opinion. If a harmful mole is discovered, it can be removed on the spot.

Many Summer magazines have detailed guides to detecting a bad mole, complete with photos – the kind that make you want to stay inside, or at least under a big umbrella! I did not write the article above, but wanted to share it with you ladies on behalf of the PR agency that sent it to me!

Posted in Health & Fitness, Skin Care Related Topics: abc's of detecting a bad mole, cancerous moles, detecting bad mole, how to detect a bad mole, how to spot a bad mole, how to spot a cancerous mole, unhealthy mole

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Dove Difference Challenges & Nourishment Kit Giveaway! CLOSED

May 3rd, 2010 by Laney

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Since summer is the best time to show off your perfect, healthy-looking skin, you need to make sure you’re doing all you can to take care of it! The easiest way to do so is replacing the products you already use with ones that work harder for you. Dove has added their patent-pending Nutrium Moisture technology to all of their body washes, in order to help skin replenish its natural moisturizer. All you have to do for healthy, moisturized skin is take a shower? Sign me up.

And, well, Dove did. They sent me a bottle of their Go Fresh Cool Moisture Body Wash in Cucumber & Green Tea, which is now reformulated with the Nutrium Moisture. I love the scent and the creamy formula. My skin has a definite glow, and is left feeling extremely clean after each use – almost as if I washed with soap. It’s a great wash for hot summer days, where you may be washing off a build up of sweat and dirt.

Dove’s so excited about their new Nutrium Moisture packed body washes, they want one of you Fashionable Gals to try it for yourself – on them! The winner will also receive a special Dove branded item in their prize as well.

Want more ways to win? Check out Dove’s “Dove Difference Challenges”, happening until October of this year. Visit them online for details on the challenge and more.

Contest Info: One lucky gal will win a Dove body wash and Dove branded item. This contest is open to the US & Canada and will run until 11:59 PM EST, May 10, 2010. You must complete the Mandatory Entry to be eligible, and for all extra entries to count. Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry.

Mandatory Entry:

Share a trick or secret you have for keeping your skin in great shape. Spill it, ladies!

Extra Entries:

Follow @fashionablegal on Twitter – 1 Entry

Follow @Dove on Twitter – 1 Entry

Fan The Fashionable Gal on FB – 1 Entry

Fan Dove on FB – 1 Entry

Subscribe to my newsletter – 1 Entry

Blog about this giveaway (leave a direct link) – 3 Entries

Add me to your Blog Roll – 3 Entries

Tweet this giveaway (use the text below) – 1 Entry per Tweet, 2 Per Day

Win a new Nutrium Moisture hydrating body wash + a surprise Dove item from @Dove & @fashionablegal http://wp.me/pbj1u-1Kr

Posted in Contests & Giveaways, Skin Care Related Topics: dove, dove body wash, dove difference challenge, dove giveaway, dove moisturizing body wash, dove nutrium moisture, dove nutrium moisture body wash, dove nutrium moisture giveaway, nutrium moisture

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The Cast of 24 Loves Votre Vu Skincare!

May 1st, 2010 by Laney

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Shop Votre Vu products now!

Posted in Celebrities, Skin Care Related Topics: cast of 24, cast of 24 skincare, celebrity skincare, votre vu, votre vu skincare

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Naturopathica: New Site, 15% Discount

April 28th, 2010 by Laney

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Naturopathica has undertaken a re-branding evolution: ECOCERT certification, new packaging, an upcoming renovation of their signature Hamptons spa, indulgent new products – and a new site, designed to “be a destination for consumers to achieve ‘a better beauty.’”

The new site gives visitors a place to research ingredients, learn wellness rituals, and more. One of my favorite new features of the site is that you can shop by classification, and visit detailed categories (which include gluten-free, vegan, and more). This makes it much easier for people with specific needs and concerns to find products that are just right for them, without hours of guessing and Googling. You can also sort my skin type and best sellers, which provide another great layer of depth to your shopping experience.

Equally as enjoyable as the shopping platform, the site also includes a detailed “Learn” section. Naturopathica was founded by Barbara Close, a clinical esthetician, herbalist, aromatherapist, message therapist, and author – so you know she’s qualified to be dishing out advice. Her belief in attainable well-being and wellness education spurned the learn section, which teaches easy DIY wellness rituals and much, much more. Some of the current tutorials include a range of hydrotherapy techniques, such as detoxifying showers, bath cures to de-stres and promote sleep, and muscle recovery baths.

I was given the opportunity to review one of the repackaged Naturopathica products, and I eagerly chose the Aloe Cleansing Gel ($28/5 oz). It’s described as “a foaming sulfate-free cleanser with a refreshing blend of Aloe Vera and Lavender that gently clarifies the skin while maintaining natural moisture,” perfect for normal to oily skin (that’s me!). It’s main ingredient is Aloe Vera, which “helps to prevent immune suppression caused by UVB rays by repairing damage to the Langerhans cells.”

Naturopathica’s Aloe Cleansing Gel has a great texture – it’s like a thick soap, without being overly creamy and exacerbating my oily skin. It strips the oil and dirt off my skin without being drying, and also has a great lather. It’s a favorite to use with my Clarisonic, and after a week of using the two together, my skin has been significantly clearer and smoother. The only aspect I’m not in love with is the smell – I find it a tad overpowering. However, if you enjoy the scent of lavender than I’m sure you’ll find it enjoyable.

I intend to check out more of Naturopathica‘s products in the near future. I recommend that you look into them as well – and as an added bonus, if you use code “ABETTERBEAUTY” you’ll receive 15% off your order!

Posted in Beauty Products, Skin Care Related Topics: a better beauty, aloe skincare, barbara close, gluten free beauty products, natural skincare, naturopathic products, naturopathica, naturopathica aloe cleansing gel, naturopathica rebranding evolution, naturopathica skincare, vegan beauty products

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Prepping Pretty Spring Skin

April 27th, 2010 by Laney

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When the sun finally begins to warm our faces again, and the world slowly looks a little greener, we always feel the need to freshen up our looks a bit. In an enthusiastic hurry to apply this season’s bright makeup colors, we may forget to stop and realize that the most important step is good skincare for a clean, smooth base. After the cold wind, dry heating systems, and dark days are done with our faces, most of us go into springtime looking a little dull.

To bring your face back to life, there are some basics that always help whether you’re at a spa or your bathroom sink. Firstly, be sure to exfoliate: it can be as simple as adding salt (for oily skin) or sugar (for dry skin) to your face wash or buying one with exfoliating beads (like Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash) in it. It always helps to add a product with something like fruit enzymes (such as Jurlique Fruit Enzyme Exfoliator) or hydroxy acids (like DDF Glycolic Exfoliating Wash 5%) into your regimen for added results. Going to get microdermabrasion at a local spa is a great choice for deep exfoliation that will be noticed right away. Any of these options will reveal fresh skin that is glowing and smooth.

Second, you need to continuously moisturize to have skin perfect for makeup application. If you’re getting a facial at a spa, that’s great because they will both exfoliate and moisture your skin while you’re there. At home, be sure you’re using a formula appropriate for your skin type, like a gel for oily skin (my fave is Kate Somerville Gentle Daily Wash), a thicker cream for dry (try Philosophy Purity Made Simple), or something in between. Some of the face lotions with radiance/skin brightening ingredients (Clarins Bright Plus HP Brightening Hydrating Day Lotion SPF 20 for example) are perfect for dewy spring skin, and are a nice boost for any look.

If we just take a little extra care in reviving skin at this time of year, the reward will be a complexion that’s more awake and well-textured. Your face will look flawless all season long!

Content provided by Sarah Logan on behalf of Aesthetic Science Institute (ASI). ASI is a beauty school for new students interested in a career in aesthetics and licensed aestheticians interested in advanced aesthetics training and certification.

Product recommendations provided by The Fashionable Gal.