Sunday, September 25, 2011

Exuviance Intensive Eye Treatment Pads: For Perfect Peepers


Your eyes need special care and special skin care products. If you think you can skimp on the eye care beauty routine........think again.

The skin around the eye area is thin, delicate, and drier. And when your eyes aren't getting the TLC they need, like moisture and strong anti-oxidants, you look tired and older.

That's why Exuviance has a super solution that refreshes, firms, and tones down the crow's feet. It's called Intensive Eye Treatment Pads ($22, for 4 applications), and worth every penny.

Remember the old TV commercial for the bubble bath, 'Calgon-----Take me away!'. Well, that's how you will feel, too. These Exiviance eye treatment pads let you relax and enoy a little 'me' time. This is the ultimate in eye care rejuvenation.

And we like the results---firmer, softer skin around the eyes, thanks to the gentle and effective Lactobionic acid formula.

So easy to use, too.

1. Cleanse and dry the area thoroughly.
2. Open the pouch and remove both eye pads.
3. Place one pad under or around the eye area, and smooth it onto the skin. Apply the second pad to the other eye area.
4. Now relax for 10-30 minutes.
5. Remove both eye pads and toss out. Smooth any excess solution into skin.

These Exuviance Intensive Eye Treatment Pads sound great for a big night out, when you have time to give your peepers some much needed TLC. And the pads are also nice to use before bedtime, so you awake to a brighter, more refreshed set of eyes.

The price for an eye treatment always seems to cost a bit more, but you are getting a product that is made specifically to battle the fine lines in the eye area, and as we keep reminding you, it's the toughest area to keep youthful. So let's remember today: All eyes need tender loving care.

For details, click here.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Applying Eye Shadow Under The Lower Lashes Takes Practice And Primer

The runway models always look amazing. And their makeup always appears perfect. Look at her, from an Oscar de la Renta show.

We LOVE her eye makeup, especially the gorgeous eyeshadow UNDER the lower lashes of the eyes. Not an easy makeup application to copy.

Of course, the model has a great professional makeup artist nearby. Not fair.

But there is a way to smudge some shadow UNDER the eyes without looking like a woman who's had a rough night.

We'll never forget when iconic model Cindy Crawford made an appearance years ago on the Late Show with David Letterman, it was actually back in 1996, and he poked fun at her heavy, dark under eye shadow, asking her who gave her the black eyes.

Ouch!

Cindy was said to be totally embarrassed and allegedly went home crying after the show.

Before you put on your eye shadow, you should prime the eye area with a good primer.

The beauty of a primer is its perfection at filling in fine lines and pores for a flawless finish BEFORE putting on foundation. Most primer fans love to create as smooth a complexion as they can, so that the next layer, that of foundation, glides over easily. And then when adding eye shadows and eyeliners, the primer prevents the eye makeup from heading south during the night. Colors adhere better with a primer.

We have found that darker shadows are more difficult to apply UNDER the lower lashes. The runway model in the photo is wearing green shadow. Trying to achieve the same look with a deep brown shadow, for instance, takes a steady and lighter hand.

You can try the new pointed Q-tips and dip one into your shadow and apply a thin line under the lashes.

You can also try a soft, angled eyeliner brush and apply the shadowas close to the lashes as possible, and smudge it.

Model Jaime King likes to use a jumbo eyeliner pencil as an eye shadow for both top and bottom lashes.

Good luck. We said it isn't easy.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Alpha Hydrox Retinol ResQ : Cheap & Effective


We cannot remember how we stumbled onto the Alpha Hydrox skin care brand, but we do know it's a very good one for 2 simple reasons:

It's cheap.
And it's effective.

And although we have had a tough time finding the full line of Alpha Hydrox products in the local drugstore, we CAN find them readily at beauty/skin care online stores. The Alpha Hydrox brand uses a bright red box for packaging. You can't miss it, when it's available on a store shelf.

One of our faves is the Alpha Hydrox 10% AHA Enhanced Lotion. Generally we see it for $12.99, but have found it on sale for $10.99. And although it is geared more for dry skin (our face=oily), we do apply it to our neck and decollete daily, and carefully under our eyes. We love it, and learned from skin expert Jan Marini, to use the 10% lotion as a super hand cream, also.

Today, we are looking at Alpha Hydrox's Retinol ResQ ($14.99, at neotericcosmetics.

We also believe this is an excellent skin care product for these reasons:

Anti-wrinkle, firming cream
* Oil-free
* Delivers pure-active Vitamin A
* Contains Vitamins C&E anti-oxidants
* Helps remove fine lines & wrinkles
* Tightens & firms skin
.

If your skin is very sensitive, then you might have to go very slowly while trying the Retinol ResQ. But trust us, Retin-A, the big sister to retinol, is even more potent and difficult to adjust to at first. So, this Alpha Hydrox product shouldn't be that hard to tolerate.

Retinol is an over-the-counter retinoid, a form of Vitamin A. And Vitamin A derivatives are key to maintaining beautiful skin, because they speed up cell turnover, brighten the complexion and even up skin tone, boost collagen production, and repair damaged skin.

So, in a sense, retinol really comes to the rescue. If you hate the idea of an expensive prescription Retin-A which is sometimes irritating to skin, then try gentler retinol for very good results.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

At-Home $40 Zeno Laser Device Aims To Zap Wrinkles


An at-home laser device for just $40?!

Could this really be effective?

According to the folks at Zeno, yes and yes.

It's called the Zeno Line Rewind Wrinkle Reduction Kit and you can find it at Walmart and Target and plenty of skin care boutiques, and the Zeno website.

The handheld beauty device runs on 2 AA batteries. And the kit also includes the Line Rewind serum, enriched with anti-oxidant Resveratrol, which is designed to work with the laser wrinkle zapper.

All it takes is just a few minutes a day on clean skin. You run the Zeno Line Rewind over your face and the vibrating device emits a warm beam of light. The red LED stimulates the production of collagen and elastin. In turn, your face feels firmer and smoother. Fine lines and wrinkles appear softer.

The Zeno Line Rewind is derm-approved and safe and effective for all skin types.

No, it isn't as great as a trip to the dermatologist's office for a genuine laser session. However, we will say, that the red LED technology in an at-home device is a good beauty breakthrough that can help prevent further new wrinkles from forming. And any product that encourages more collagen/elastin growth is fine by us.

If you can commit to a strict skin care routine with the Zeno Line Rewind, your complexion will thank you. If you're hoping to erase those deeper lines and sun damage, well, then a real laser procedure is your best bet.

But for just $40, this is a nice beauty device to have around.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Need A Nice New Neck Now? Botox Can Do It



A long, smooth, perfect neck.

Not easy to come by, unless you're the gorgeous woman in the photos, iconic model Iman. And at age 55, her neck still looks firm and smooth and youthful. Just lucky genes, diet, or other supermodel secrets?

If you're feeling lousy about your neck, and want to do something fast without all the downtime, you CAN avoid cosmetic surgery and smooth away those platysmal neck lines with a few injections of Botox cosmetic.

More and more dermatologists and plastic surgeons are offering their patients the quick fix. Results might not be as dramatic as a neck lift, but the bands in the neck can be relaxed effectively via the sting of the needle.

Experts say that a Botox neck procedure lasts about 4 months , and can cost anywhere from $300-$900, depending on how many injections are placed.

Remember to do your homework, and find a very good doctor. You need an experienced pro who knows exactly where to properly and carefully inject the Botox into the delicate neck region.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Green Eyeshadow Hot For Fall 2011: How To Wear It Like Jaime King




Green eyeshadow.

Many of you stay away from it, and stick to neutrals like brown or gray. It's not easy wearing a jewel-tone shadow like green. Let's be honest, green is BOLD. But sometimes, when it comes to beauty and fashion, it's okay to go strong.

Green is THE shadow for Fall 2011. So, maybe it's time you considered taking the leap. Check out model/actress Jaime King. She was already rockin' the trend at an InStyle dinner earlier this summer. Jaime is showing off an emerald eyeshadow she even matched to the bright green in her sexy Versace dress. Who says you should never match your eye makeup to your outfit?!

And even beautiful Jaime admits, it's not easy being green, so to speak. She said to InStyle magazine:

"The whole thing is just eye liner, which is a bold move. People are afraid to do it, but you've just got to go for it. I wanted to hit the trend of jewel tones."

You can wear the green eyeshadow trend just like Jaime. All you need is a great chubby crayon pencil to do the trick. We found one by NYX, the Jumbo Eye Pencil in Rocky Mountain Green ($4.50, at NYXcosmetics). This s a lovely emerald shade with a pearly finish. And the NYX Jumbo Pencil glides on nicely---no tugging. Its acts as an eyeliner or an eyeshadow. The blendability is fab. Resists creasing.

We think it's good to go green, in more ways than one!

Sunday, September 18, 2011

How To Get Ashley Olsen-Inspired Nude Lips



Today we are looking at fashion mogul Ashley Olsen and her signature makeup style of soft, nude lips.

You often will see the petite, blonde beauty with strong smoky eyes and a natural, neutral lip color. It's a makeup balance that works out perfectly. And you, too, can achieve a similar sexy glamour.

Many women stay away from nude lipsticks because they don't want to appear washed out or cosmetically un-finished. Finding the correct nude shade is an art in itself, and takes practice hunting down a good match for one's skin tone.

Although we cannot tell you which neutral lipstick or gloss goes with your individual complexion, we can tell you one that looks Ashley Olsen-inspired. And that lipstick is from Boots No7:

1. Boots No7 Stay Perfect Lipstick in Nude 15 ($9.99, at shopbootsusa.com. This is a nice, creamy neutral shade, and great for sensitive lips.

This is called cool glam and Ashley Olsen looks put-together. The makeup does not overwhelm her delicate features. We think she looks polished and pretty.