Product Preview: Regenerist Night Elixir

Now that I'm trying to get back on the beauty blogging bandwagon, I'm starting to give more consideration about my beauty products and skin care routine.  While I was off of the blogging habit, I just used the same old products without much thought. Now that I'm back to blogging, I'm trying new things.  Yay, me!

I'm in my mid-30s, and I'm finding that I'm in a weird position: I want products that will help me fight the aging battle, but I also need to consider annoying things like breakouts.  There are plenty of products on the market that do both, but lately I'm finding that I need to focus most on the anti-aging products.

I've seen plenty of ads for Olay's new Night Resurfacing Serum and I was intrigued; so intrigued that I picked it up at Costco on a recent outing (bonus: I had a coupon so I saved a good deal of cash!).

Olay promises that this product will, "Resurface skin while you sleep for tighter, smoother skin when you wake. Professional medium or deep chemical peels work quickly to resurface skin, but these fast-acting treatments can be harsh, causing severe flaking or prolonged redness. While not the same results, Olay Regenerist Night Resurfacing Elixir works each night to help gently resurface skin while you sleep for tighter, smoother skin when you wake without the risk of harsh side effects associated with a professional chemical peel. When applied each night, the non-greasy, fast-absorbing formula with glycolic acid works over a normal sleep cycle to give you uninterrupted exfoliation while antioxidants and moisturizers continuously provide soothing hydration to tighten skin's surface. Light glycolic peel resurfaces skin nightly for tighter, smoother skin."

Sounds good to me!  User reviews of this product are overwhelmingly positive, and Olay usually has decent skin care products.

I've been using the elixir for about a week now.  After a few more weeks, I'll report back with my thoughts. 

Have you tried this product yet?  What do you think?

Age-Busting Tips from Women's Health

For many of us, a new year means undergoing a lot of personal assessments.  We think about ways we want to improve our bodies, our finances, our lives, and our looks.  Even if we're not planning huge changes, we often want, at least, to rejuvenate our looks for a fresh, new start.

The first step is to kick signs of aging—many that can be surprisingly unexpected. Women’s Health magazine highlights four under-the-radar areas women should treat early to radiate youth.  Take a glance and enjoy!

Yellow Teeth and Receding Gums: Bacteria and dark drinks cause enamel stains, while plaque results in receding gums. Bring back a younger smile with a timeless trick: floss daily, no excuses! Also, keep your pearly whites glowing by keeping disposable toothbrushes on hand and using whitening strips every six months.

Thin Hair: Hormonal changes, diet, and inadequate levels of iron in the bloodstream thin out hair with age. Save your locks’ thickness and shine by taking multivitamins rich in amino acids and B vitamins. Last resort options like a Rogaine prescription or precision laser hair therapy also boost hair growth.

Sparse, Brittle Eyelashes: Eyelashes grow sparse with age, whether through excessive rubbing or naturally slower growth. Invest in eyelash enhancing serums offered at drugstores to improve resiliency. Old mascara also lends to weak, brittle ends— replace mascara every 90 days and remove eye makeup at night.

Dry, Rough Nails and Damaged Cuticles: Age, frequent hand washing, and overexposure to cold temperatures rob skin and nails of moisture—especially as women age. Hydrate hands with petroleum-based creams and massage cuticle oils into the nail beds to prevent breakage.

Get to Know: Lierac

This year I've tried out several products from Lierac.  Lierac is a company from France that makes tons of skin care products.  Their stuff is available at CVS, and there's bound to be something for you to help your specific skin type or condition.  Their products are not cheap, but they are effective and well worth checking out.

Here are three of my favorites--I've been trying out samples of these products and they've been a welcomed addition to my skincare routine:

• Microabrasion Exfoliating Smoothing Cream, $38: this product buffs away all the old, dead skin cells that make skin look blah.  It is only used once or twice a week, but man does it do a good job!  It makes my skin feel so much smoother and look more radiant.  It's like a wake-up call for tired out skin. 
• Coherence Nuit Age-Defense Firming Night Cream, $64: this product is designed for more mature skin, but now that I'm in my mid-30s, I figure it's time I get serious about battling the signs of aging.  (An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, right?)  This product helps to lift and firm up the face.  Applied nightly, it helps to repair the skin and diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, making skin more supple and moisturized.
• Diopticreme Intense Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream, $34: Also designed for more mature skin, this product is a wrinkle fighter.  It helps to improve firmness and elasticity around the eye area, making sure the entire area is perfectly moisturized.  I like that it goes over the entire eye area, not just the undereye region that most products target.  This one seems like it will really tackle crow's feet (which I don't really have yet and hope not to get!).

Lierac products are very high quality and it's awesome that you can get them easily from CVS.  I've also tried out their Bust Lift product earlier in the year and liked it.  I appreciate that Lierac has products for body, face, sun protection, and men.  They really do seem to have something for everyone!

Product Preview: Vitamin C+ Pure Radiance Line

If you've read my blog for any length of time, you may have noticed that I am a big fan of Lumene products.  If you haven't tried anything from Lumene, you should consider trying them out.  They're from Finland and use a lot of natural ingredients like cloudberries and blueberries in the skin care and cosmetics products.

Lumene has a new dynamic duo designed to help brighten skin and fight the signs of aging.  You could use these two products seperately, but together, they go the extra distance to improve the look of your skin.  According to Lumene's research, 89% of users agreed that their skin was instantly brightened and more radiant when these two products were used together.  Further, 74% noticed instant pore minimizing when this one-two punch was delivered to the skin.

Let's meet each product, shall we?

Lumene Vitamin C+ Bright Skin Radiance Nectar, $21.99
Containing cloudberry nectar, this bright orange serum helps strengthen the fluid and micro circulation of the skin, resulting in minimized pores and a more smooth surface. Apply this to clean skin morning and night before moving on to the next product, below.

Lumene Pure Radiance 24h Lotion, $19.99
Containing mega-doses of Vitamin C and cloudberry nectar, this product uses plant sterols to improve the skin's moisture balance.  Antioxidants work to protect the skin against the signs of aging.  Used with the Radiance Nectar, this should make the skin look and feel more invigorated and balanced.

Initial Impressions:
I tried both of these products last night before bed, and my skin felt moisturized and protected without feeling greasy.  I did notice that my face looked a little less dull after applying both products, but that could have been from exfoliating before using these Lumene goodies---we'll see!  I do like the way both of these products feel and smell--they have a slightly citrus-y scent and feel very light going on.  It seems that a little goes a long way with both products--just a tiny amount provided a great deal of coverage.

So....we'll see how it goes.  I love Lumene products and I sure could use products that brighten up my skin.  I'll let you know how it goes!

Give Away! Perricone Concentrated Restorative Treatment

I'm very excited about today's post!  The folks over at Perricone are sponsoring an awesome giveaway to Kiss & Makeup readers, so please keep reading for all the important details.

There are a ton of anti-aging products on the market, but I've been seeing a lot of great press about  Perricone products.  I've heard that Dr. Perricone No Foundation Foundation provides killer results in the form of dewy, flawless skin without layers of makeup.  Celebs swear by this stuff!  Similarly, Dr. Perricone Deep Wrinkle Serum can reduce deep lines and renew elasticity.  It seems like no matter what Perricone product you try, you're going to get amazing results. 

Perricone's Concentrated Restorative Treatment contains mega-doses of Vitamin C Ester, which restores the skin's texture and helps improve tone.  I'm (only) in my mid-30s, but I need to start stepping it up with my anti-aging regime.  Perricone's Concentrated Restorative Treatment seems like a powerful tool in the battle against wrinkles, discoloration, and saggy skin.

If YOU want to try Perricone's Concentrated Restorative Treatment for yourself, you're in luck!  Perricone is offering one reader a full-sized jar of this customer favorite.  If you want to win (and trust me, you do!), just leave a comment and tell me WHY you want (or need!) to try this product.  Please be sure to leave your comment by noon PST on Monday, August 2rd.  Sorry!  This contest is open to readers in the U.S. and Canada only.

Thanks and good luck!

Look Better...Feel Better

Right before Mother's Day, my mother was lamenting her looks. She said she had dark circles under her eyes, her skin wasn't looking great, and her hair seemed dull. It was sad to hear my mom get down on the way she looks, and I knew I had to help her out.

My mom is funny. She won't spend money on herself and wouldn't be open to having me take her over to Sephora to throw down a bunch of money on products. So I did it for her. Here's what I got to help make my momma feel better about her looks:

• Clinique All About Eyes ($28.50): I've been using a sample of this product and I really like it. It's lightweight and good for sensitive skin. Plus it helps depuff and reduce the appearance of fine lines. According to one of the Sephora ladies, you can also use it on your lips. Makes sense, since the skin around our eyes is similar to the delicate, thin skin on our lips.
• Mini Advanced Makeup Optional Kit from Philosophy ($50): This kit includes products for day (Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash, When Hope is Not Enough Facial Serum, and Hope in a Jar SPF 20) and for night (Purity Made Simple face wash, When Hope is Not Enough Facial Serum, and Help Me Retinol Night Treatment). I've used Purity Made Simple for ages and love it. I think Philosophy products are nice--they seem good for sensitive skin, plus they're effective and relatively reasonably priced. The early word from my mom is that she's liking the products, especially the serum. There's also a full-sized version of this kit that sells for just under $100.
• Purple shampoo: My mom has a lot of gray in her hair (she loves her gray!) and to shine it up, I suggested that she should use the same purple shampoo I use for my platinum blonde. She didn't seem interested at first, so I just gave her a sample from my stash. She's used it a few times now--we'll see if I can convert her!
  

What anti-aging products do you love? Let me know if there's a product out there I absolutely MUST try.

Introducing: Cosmetique (Giveaway!)

I am always on the lookout for great places to buy interesting beauty products, and I was recently introduced to Cosmetique.

Cosmetique sells over 20 brands of skin care products ranging from the exclusive skin care line Energie Vitale, to the handmade luxury of organic Faraya Skin Care, to the proven results of Murad. Cosmetique is also filled with makeup, body and fragrance brands to discover, with all the fun of experimenting with the latest beauty trends. They have quality mineral makeup from Pur Minerals, the excitement of Too Faced cosmetics – and so much more.

Over the next two weeks, I am going to introduce you to a few of their products and I'll be giving them away so you can try them yourself. Today I'm starting with skin care products. Next week I'll feature beauty products. Read about the products on my site, then leave a comment to enter.

Here's what I'm featuring this week from Cosmetique:

Cadette Hand and Cuticle Repair Cream: protect and beautify your hands with just a dab of this herbal-scented Hand and Cuticle Repair Cream. Massage gently into your hands and cuticles for quick-penetrating moisture that conditions your cuticles, provides a soothing, protective layer to guard against dryness, and helps make your hands look and feel touchably softPrincess Livia Bee Pollen Nectar Face Cream: formulated with precious Bee Pollen Extract, Princess Livia Bee Pollen Nectar Face Cream is true to the ancient beauty secrets from which it is derived. It can help your skin's natural resiliency, texture and coloring, while it nourishes and moisturizes. Apply this luxurious cream sparingly to face and neck, morning and night. Use gentle upward, curving motions to help keep skin firm and minimize fine lines
Energie Vitale Anti-Aging Eye Serum: a fast-absorbing, hydrating gel that targets fine lines and wrinkles, helps to diminish dark circles, and lessens puffiness around your eyes. Apply a small amount under the lower lashes and across your brow bones morning and night to keep the delicate tissue around the eyes healthy and radiant.
Diandra Emergency Stick: provides your skin a refreshing touch of moisture wherever little telltale stress lines are beginning to form. Lavished with rich emollients - Vitamin E, Aloe Vera and Jojoba Oil - it helps soothe, refine and protect your skin.

Be sure to check out all the products over at Cosmetique. And be sure to leave a comment and enter to win. One winner will get all four of these products (winner announced next Wednesday)! I'll be featuring Cosmetique's makeup next week...and I'll be doing another giveaway, so be sure to check that out!

Sephora's Winning Lineup!

The Super Bowl may have come and gone, but Sephora still has top beauty brands’ MVP and Rookie must-haves. Proven all-stars show off in the MVP category – but don’t let the rookies fool you. They have some cool new moves that will make you want to change your game plan.

Sephora’s 2010 MVP Roster:

• Dior DiorShow Mascara ($24) – A cult-classic that leaves lashes thick, long and curled, making it Sephora’s MVP – most valuable product, that is!
• Philosophy Hope In A Jar ($38) – No games played here, this long-loved moisturizer provides soft, healthy and glowing results.
• NARS Blush in Orgasm ($25) – A five-year-long Sephora winner, this beauty editors’ favorite is a universally flattering shade of pinky-peach.
  
• Kinerase Intensive Eye Cream ($62) – A “lineman” of wrinkle fighting cream that works to minimize flaws and maximize the tone and texture around your eye area.
  
• Marc Jacobs Daisy Gift Set ($84 Value, $65) – This set has the spirit of a playful innocence with its fresh and feminine kick. Perfect for the tomboy in you.

Sephora’s 2010 Rookie Lineup:

• Dior DiorShow Extase Mascara ($28) – Plump up your lashes, inside and out! With built-in treatment benefits and twisted wand layers for strong, high-impact lashes, it’s hard to believe this mascara is new to the game!
  
• Philosophy Miracle Worker Miraculous Anti-Aging Moisturizer ($55) – New to the team, but packing a punch, this age-fighting hydrator will balance, nourish and soften your skin.
  
• NARS Orgasm Illuminator ($29) – Joining the NARS Orgasm family in a must have, an illuminator! Get an instantly refreshed, radiant and glowing look with a new twist of the brand’s most beloved shade.
  
• Kinerase Restructure Firming Eye Cream ($55) – A rookie formula with the results of a seasoned veteran, this revolutionary elastin-strengthening, firming hydrator will lift and smooth!
  
• Marc Jacobs Lola Gift Set ($70, $107 Value!) – Treat yourself to this trophy-worthy trio! With a spray, lotion and gel, your skin will smell sweet and sexy.

Week of Beauty Products (1): One Essential

What is it? Dior's Capture Totale One Essential Skin Boosting Serum is Dior's "most advanced, scientifically proven skincare to help maximize the results of all age-defying skincare routines. One Essential Skin Boosting Super Serum helps to detoxify skin cells to powerfully correct all visible signs of aging and renew skin's youthful appearance. Applied before any other skincare products, One Essential boosts their effectiveness and extends the benefits over time. The skin regains its vitality, becomes more luminous, smoother and visibly younger-looking." Available where Dior skincare products are found (high-end department stores like Nordstrom's) for $95.

What did you think? Let me first say that I did not pay for this product. I received a sample from the Dior folks and have been using the product for about a month. $95 is a lot of money...I am very much aware of that.

I used this product twice a day--morning and night--before using any of my other products. It goes on lightly and has a pleasant, delicate scent. I only used a small amount of the product each time, and it absorbed well into my skin. I didn't feel like I was over-moisturized or greasy feeling.

My skin seemed smoother and more balanced after this product. I don't have tons of wrinkles yet (emphasis on the yet!) but I did notice that my areas of concern (I have a crease above my nose, and my eyes and mouth area are always a concern!) seemed smoother, tighter.

The final verdict? I think I need to continue to use the product to fully get the benefit. I do like the product, but I really don't like the idea of spending $95 on one skin product. It's effective, it's a pleasure to use, but I do think it's cost prohibitive.

Beauty Product of the Week: SkinRise Bionic Tonic

What is it? Exuviance SkinRise Bionic Tonic is "an intense moisturizing, antioxidant tonic with PHA anti-aging benefits. This powerful toning, moisturizing, antioxidant and anti-aging product will awaken your skin, spirit and senses. Will result in revealing a healthy, radiant complexion, with enhanced clarity, smoothness and youthful glow. Contains Vitamins A, C and E and green tea extracts to help protect the skin from the damaging effects of free radicals and harmful environmental factors. For stressed skin, use in place of your daily toner. Packaged in convenient single use pads. Follow with moisturizing sunscreen SPF 15. For all skin types. (Made of a) blend of Polyhydroxys including Gluconolactone, Glucoheptonolactone and Lactobionic Acid Marine botanicals (that) help moisturize and condition the skin; eucalyptus and cucumber refine and stimulate; grapefruit and peppermint extracts refresh and purify. Oil-free, Alcohol-free" Available for online for $40.

What did you think? When I first got this product in the mail to try, I tried it in the morning. Big mistake! My skin was way too shiny and felt too tight. But when I used it at night I really liked it.

You just wipe the pad over your clean face and let the product do it's job. I really felt like one pad coated my skin well. It was almost like I had a face mask on! It made my skin not only feel coated, but slightly shimmery and tacky. I felt well hydrated. In the morning, my skin feels soft and well moisturized.

The pads remind me of Oxy pads I used when I was a kid to battle zits. The product has a very fresh though somewhat strong smell. I get the grapefruit but not the peppermint. Either way, when I swipe it over my skin, it makes my face feel a bit tingly--and I like that!

The final verdict? I've been using this product for a few weeks now and, like I said, it does make my skin feel soft. I'm not sure it's doing much else that I can see, but it is pleasant and easy enough to use. Also, I've been using it about every other day since it does feel so hydrating. That means I can stretch the pads out longer, which is a good thing since each pad costs more than $1.00.

Lumene Puts the Science in Beauty

I've tried several Lumene skin care products in the past and I've really liked them. They made the surface of my face feel smoother and evened out my skin tone. Now, the Scandinavian skin care company is launching two new anti-aging products that claim that 100% of women who tried it saw a reduction in the appearance of wrinkles. 100%? Really? Wow! Let's check out the products:

Lumene ExCELLent Future Deep Repairing Cream with Natural Cell Technology
Containing 85% natural ingredients, this cream helps prevent aging and delay damage to the surface of the skin. It combines modern cell technology with organic ingredients like Arctic white peat Applexcell to help skin repair itself.

Lumene ExCELLent Future Deep Repairing Serum with Natural Cell Technology
Meant to be used underneath the Repairing Cream, this keeps skin looking youthful and reduce the depth of already existing wrinkles.

Both products are available at CVS for $29.99 each.

I've been trying them both out for a few weeks now and they do make my skin feel better--hydrated and evened out. I'm not sure I've used both products long enough to see all the anti-aging benefits, but I'll report back in the new year.

Disclosure: A press sample was received.

Do You Show Your Age?

Stress, diet, exercise, sun exposure, genetics, and bad habits take their toll on us in many ways. No one wants to look older, but it's not always easy to take care of your skin or to know what effect your current bad habits may have on the overall aging process.

I don't know about you, but I love taking online quizzes. Now, get an idea of how you're aging, Women's Health magazine has put together a quick test that will tell you how old your skin looks. Click here to take the test.

Regardless of your score, the Women's Health editors have put together a book called Age Erasers for Women (available for sale here) that contains tips galore on how to not look (or feel!) your age.

Here are some highlights on how to care for your eyes that we can all benefit from:

Dark Circles

• To Repair: Scientists are targeting raccoon eyes with high-tech toning and tightening ingredients which prevent stray blood cells from leaking out of under-eye vessels. Try SkinMedica TNS Illuminating Eye Cream, with NouriCel-MD.
  
• To Prevent: Retinol, a vitamin A derivative, can mask circles by thickening the thin skin under eyes making it less transparent. For prevention of dark circles, we recommend Jan Marini Factor-A Eyes for Dark Circles.
  

Puffiness

• To Repair: Researchers have found that peptides stimulate collagen production, boosting in skin firmness forces fluids out from under eyes. We recommend Kinerase Under Eye Rescue to repair puffiness.
  
• To Prevent: Skin-care brand Vichy conducted a study of 41 women who used their Vichy Oligo 25 Eyes Anti-Fatigue Cooling Effect Stick and found that it reduced the appearance of under eye bags by 25 percent. Try it!
  

Crow’s Feet

• To Repair: Scientists have found that amino acids can block the nerve signals that cause muscles to contract working similarly to Botox. Try Freeze 24-1 Anti-Aging Eye Serum or Dermadoctor Immobile Lines for your crow’s feet troubles.
  
• To Prevent: A powerful antioxidant called idebenone gobbles up cell-damaging free radicals to keep wrinkles from forming. We recommend BeingTrue Anti-Aging I-Lift Eye Countour Concentrate or Prevage Eye Anti-Aging Moisturizing Treatment

If you take the test and are brave enough to share your results, leave me a comment! I took it and I'm happy to report that my skin apparently only looks 23...awesome considering I'm 33! Nice.

Beauty Product of the Week: DNA Superstructure UV Cream

What is it? Olay Regenerist DNA Superstructure UV Cream SPF 25, "helps block direct DNA damaging rays to help protect skin and maintain collagen's structural integrity. Hydrates to help rebuild cellular surface structure & restore firmness. This new anti-aging formula hydrates to help rebuild cellular surface structure and restore firmness, regenerating a more youthful appearance.

SPF 25 helps block direct DNA damaging rays to help protect skin and maintain collagen's structural integrity. Powerful anti-oxidants help protect the skin's surface from free radical damage.

Premium skin feel, suitable for daily use. Create the perfect skin care solution for you with the Regenerist line of advanced anti-aging products." Available at drugstores and big box stores for $30 or less (Olay is almost always on sale somewhere!).

What did you think? I have no clue if this cream is really doing what Olay says it will as far as rebuilding collegen goes, but I do know that it leaves my skin feeling very moisturized. Plus it give me the SPF bonus, which I appreciate.

The cream itself is very light and goes on easily. It also smells amazingly good! This cream is in a pump applicator bottle. I've experimented with how much product to use, and for me, it seems as though half a pump is all I need. A full pump leaves my skin a bit greasy, but a half pump of cream absorbs easily and quickly into my skin. If you buy this product, you'll have to take a few times to figure out how much works best for you.

The final verdict? I love Olay products. I've used Olay moisturizers as long as I have been using moisturizers. My mom got me hooked, and I've enjoyed all the upgrades Olay has made to their line in recent years. Since it's an Olay moisturizer, I instantly liked this product. My only word of caution is to use a light hand (or should I say a light pump!) when applying. A little really goes a long way, and too much product will make your face a little too moisturized--at least if your skin is anything like mine!

Guest Blogger Review: Olay Regenerist 14 Day Skin Intervention

And now for something completely different here on Kiss and Make-up, my first ever Guest Blogger review of a product.

Let's meet our guest blogger, shall we? Her name is Michelle and she's a Kiss and Make-up reader.

Michelle is 32 years old and peacefully lives in Poway, California with her 2 cats (Aoife and Fionn) and her horse Whisper (affectionately known as: Mu). Being a full time student and working full time results in having to come up with amusing and cheap ways to beautify herself. Usually combing through drugstores from Mitzuwa, Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens, Sally Beauty and RiteAid. Testing new products on herself and seeing what happens. This has caused varied results between surprisingly chipper to completely unamused. No animals, except Michelle, have been tested on while using these products.

Welcome, Michelle! And now, on to the product review:

What is it? Olay Regenerist 14 Day Skin Intervention. Here is how Olay markets this product: Help reclaim the lifted look of your youth in just 14 days. 14 individual doses for an intensive intervention to your normal skincare routine. Includes 7 tubes of each phase plus 1 mask.

Looking reclaim the lifted look of your youth? Some women resort to drastic procedures like a face lift, but you don't have to go to a doctor to get a significantly lifted look. It's time for an intervention with New Olay Regenerist 14 Day Skin Intervention. While it won't give you the same results as a surgical face lift, you will experience a lifted look in just 14 days.

This concentrated formula with peptide-B3 complex penetrates and hydrates to significantly firm and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. In just 14 days you will experience a stronger skin structure as the intensely hydrating system improves skin's moisture barrier.

Renew your lifted look throughout the year with an intensive intervention every three months.

Phase 1
Days 1-7 of this intervention are specially formulated to ignite the cellular regeneration within skin's surface, infusing your skin with repairing moisture and an Olay peptide - B3 complex.

Phase 2
Days 8 -14 contain a high concentration of an Olay peptide - B3 complex. Wrinkles are filled with polishing micro-powders and hydrating moisture improves skin's structure as you experience a lifted look to your skin.

Price: $ 26.99

What did you think? I felt slimy.It was utterly gross. Like I had this synthetic oily spill on my face 12 hours after I washed it off. I did notice the skin around my eyes appeared to be plumper but there was no other evidence of firmer skin. I was chugging water like mad in 100 degree weather and I did get a shock of plumpness. But I don't think it was result of this product but the result of water weight from obsessive water drinking.

There was also a mask included. Basically after your done, use the mask to wrap everything up. It was white and brawny paper towel like. It had 2 slits for eyes, 1 for nose and mouth. The instructions said to put it on and lay down for 15 minutes and relax. I probably spent that 15 minutes alone try to adhere that thing to my face. I think they only had one type of nose structure in mind because, not that I have schnoz like Barbara Streisand, but I had to 'alter' the mask by separating nose piece in order to get the mask to lay flat on my skin. Once on I looked like Leonardo DiCaprio from 'The man in the iron mask' and I sat patiently for another 15 minutes while watching the TV. The instructions said no need to wash product off, to let the remaining product soak into skin. Skin was not fresh, tight or pink. It was gooped down and oily. When I scrubbed the remaining product off with a facial scrub, I had noticed a softer smoother side to my skin.But you really had to scrub to see what the product was doing underneath. I would recommend that if you really want to try this product and have skin that is under the age of 35 go every other night, not ever night to decrease insane product overload.

The final verdict? Save your money! I was not impressed. I saw little improvement. The skin around my eyes appeared tighter, not so crepe. But I still see some discoloration on my cheeks and jawline and pore size was still obvious. Actually my pores appeared larger which as the result of the product overload. Other than slight blemishes and greasy skin I was concerned by the packaging. You obviously could not over dose on the product by the individual tubes Olay provided but I couldn't help but wonder about the waste that was piling up form using individual tubes of serum. Couldn't they just give you two tubes of product good for 7 days each and tell you how much to pump out? I did not find the packaging very eco friendly.Then they had this large plastic tray to hold the tubes in.I can see how it is a nice display but this huge piece of plastic will most likely end up in a landfill if the user doesn't bother to recycle. I would say that if you are spending $26.99 I would bet half of it was based off of packaging.

Olay Regenerisit 14 day skin recovery grade: D

Note from Lydia:
I tried this product out when it first appeared on the market, and I liked it. It made my skin feel smooth, soft, and "lifted". I did notice that the amount of product seemed generous, but I just made sure to put the excess on my neck and chest. Click here for my 2008 review of the product. The mask must be very new...I've used this several times in the past and there was no mask included.

Another note from Lydia:
If YOU are interested in sending me your thoughts about a beauty product and acting as a Guest Blogger, please send me an email. Or if you follow me on Twitter, DM me!

Can You Keep A Secret?

In this crappy economy, we can't all get away to exclusive hotels or pricey day spas. But that doesn't mean we can't deny ourselves of a few life's luxuries.

If you're looking for a way to pamper yourself and treat your skin well, check out Malibu Secret and their anti-aging body cream.

Malibu Secret is a body cream that designed to replenish and repair the skin by using good-for-you botanicals, anti-oxidants, natural butters, and plenty of vitamins. The result? Skin that is more supple, that has an improved texture, and that is intensely hydrated and moisturized.

I've been using my sample of Malibu Secret for about a week now and my skin is noticeably softer. The cream is light, absorbs quickly into the skin, and doesn't feel overly greasy like some products can. The scent is subtle, but it reminds me of summers on the beach--fitting since it is Malibu Secret! It's no wonder that Tori Spelling, Heather Locklear, Kevin Sorbo (yes, as in Hercules!) and a host of other celebs are devotees of Malibu Secret.

A tube of this skin-loving product will set you back $25...much less than a salon treatment or night at a five-star salon. Click here for more info about this product or here to order.

Bustin' Out!

I was flipping through the May issue of Allure and came across one of their little snippets of information about something near and dear to our hearts: cleavage.

According to Allure, a study was done by a university in Wisconsin to see, as their study was titled, "Does Cleavage Work at Work?". And their answer to this question: "essentially--but not entirely--no."

In the study, men and women viewed four videos of a saleswoman pitching a phony allergy medication. The spokeswomen was either showing off cleavage or completely buttoned up, and she was hyping a product that was either "clearly effective or decidedly weak."

According to the findings in the study, showing off cleavage had no effect on her pitch of the product. Men in the study found that "using cleavage is effective when selling a weak product but counterproductive when selling a strong product."

Hmmm....very interesting!

Whether or not showing cleavage gives us more or less credibility, I'm sure we all show off our girls from time to time. And, if you're like most of us, the skin around your cleavage and neckline might need a little help to look it's best.

Because the skin on our decolletage is thin--much like the skin on the backs of our hands--it is more prone to showing the signs of aging and sun damage. So what can you do to keep your cleavage looking great?

• Avoid the sun! If you go out during the day and have any amount of skin showing, be sure to wear a strong sunblock, one that contains antioxidants to get the most out of your protection. Be sure to reapply your sunblock regularly--the longer you're out under the sun, the greater the risk of damage.
• Don't go to a tanning booth. Ever. I know many people who go, thinking they're getting their much needed Vitamin D. And in getting their "healthy" dose of D, they're also destroying their skin. Why pay to age yourself? The best bet is to stay away.
• Try a microdermabrasion. This will remove all the nasty dead skin cells that dull your skin. Do an at-home microderm treatment regularly (a few times a week) to get your decolletage glowing.
• Seek professional help. A dermatologist can analyze how much sun damage has been done to your skin, and may be able to prescribe Retin-A...a strong, proven anti-ager. They may also recommend a treatment like Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) to remove brown spots, or fix blotchy skin.

Now, strap on your favorite push-up and show the world what you've got!

Try It....You'll Like It!

I've been testing out an awesome skin care product for the past week+, and I must say: I am liking the results so far.

So what is it? It's Lumene's Vitamin C+ Energizing Cocktail Intensive Care, a serum that contains products like Arctic Cloudberry and cranberry seed oil. Cloudberry...ah...I love the name of that ingredient! Cloudberry! It sounds like some sort of magical Elvin-Viking fruit. I'd love to eat something called a Cloudberry!

Anyway...according to the product description, Lumene's Vitamin C+ Energizing Cocktail Intensive Care provides optimal care from nature against the first signs of aging. A quick shake and small pump of this serum not only instantly delivers softer and smoother skin, but it keeps skin flexible and prevents the formation of wrinkles. Highly effective and antioxidant cranberry seed oil combats the first signs of aging while cloudberry infuses a power-pack of Vitamin C. Smooth some over skin any time of day to feel energized and ready to glow!

What I like is that this product goes on underneath my normal moisturizer. I've been using it both morning and night, and my skin feels smoother and more velvety because of it. It provides a great deal of radiance without shine, and a better overall texture. Not bad...especially for $21.99 (available at CVS). I wholly recommend adding this to your normal skin care routine!

The Horror on Faces of Beautiful You

As I mentioned last week, HSN is highlighting two new products in it's latest Faces of Beautiful You webisode. In Episode 6, the girls freak themselves out by watching scary movies, and then tackle scary skin care issues with two featured products:

ICE ELEMENTS 2-MINUTE MIRACLE EXFOLIATING GEL
Available for $19.95, this gel dramatically renews the look and feel of your skin. The non-granular exfoliating gel offers exclusive technology that lets you see a visible difference in just one use. You'll enjoy an intensive, deep cleansing beauty treatment with soothing botanical extracts.

I tried it, and my skin felt softer and more evenly textured. The gel is a funny shade of purple and almost looks like hair gel, which is initially off-putting. But it is easy to use and doesn't include any harsh grains. At first I was skeptical that a gel could properly exfoliate my skin, but I was pleasantly surprised with the results.
M. ASAM PEEL OFF MASK
Also available for $19.95, this mask is imported from Germany and will cleanse your complexion and indulge your senses. Formulated with grape seed oil, this aromatic mask helps leave your skin feeling silky smooth and supple.

Peel off masks are, admittedly, not my favorite skin care product. They always take too forever to dry and they get caught in the hair around my scalp line. However, this product did make my skin feel refreshed once I peeled it off. It has a very fresh scent and it left my face feeling tighter....not bad. It does take some time to dry, but it peels off better than most masks I've used. If you like peel offs, you'll love this one!

Head over to HSN to check these products out. And don't forget: you can save on shipping, but you have to act fast!

Seek Professional Help!

If you've read my blog for any length of time, you'll know that I am left-leaning politically speaking, and that I do not support our former President's "preemptive" war on terror. However, I am currently waging my very own preemptive war...a war against wrinkles and other signs of aging. And I'm opting for the big guns. I'm using the new line of Olay Professional Pro-X products. These products are available this month, so be on the lookout for them at your favorite store (places like Target, drugstores, and other locations where you usually buy Olay products).

Here are the products I'm using:

Olay Professional Pro-X Age Repair Lotion with SPF 30: a daily full-face UVB and UVA
moisturizer that was designed by the Olay Professional Alliance for Skin Care Innovation, a
group of renowned dermatologists and Olay Scientists, and was subject to rigorous development
and clinical testing. Olay Professional Pro-X Age Repair Lotion with SPF 30 provides
broad spectrum sun protection, moisturization and anti-aging benefits. $42.00 for 2.5 oz.

Olay Professional Pro-X Deep Wrinkle Treatment: a targeted treatment for the deepest
wrinkles, containing the highest concentration of Pro-retinol and niacinamide available
through Olay. It utilizes a multiple-technology approach to penetrate deep into the
skin’s surface, combating the appearance of wrinkles and intensely hydrating to allow the natural production of collagen. $42.00 for 1 oz.

Olay Professional Pro-X Wrinkle Smoothing Cream: a nighttime full-face moisturizer
that is professionally designed to help improve skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines
and wrinkles. It utilizes a multiple-technology approach to smooth uneven texture
and strengthen skin’s stratum corneum with moisture, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. $42.00 for 1.7 oz.

Olay's Professional line also includes a Hydra Firming Cream, a Discoloration Fighting Concentration, and an Eye Restoration Complex.

So far, I am very impressed with this line of products. They make my skin feel very smooth, very hydrated, and very touchable. I like that the lotions have almost no fragrance and don't include any weird dyes. As an added bonus, the daytime age repair lotion includes SPF 30...a must since we all know that the sun is a dreaded source of the signs of premature aging.

I've trusted Olay products for years now, and their Professional line of products are impressive. You don't need to buy super-expensive products or go to an exclusive spa to get great results. All you need to do is check out Olay and use their products regularly. You'll be happy you did! Oh, and be sure to check out their website for valuable savings!

Wishing You a Beautiful 2009!

This will be my last post in 2008. The next time I write will be in 2009. Ah, a new year. A fresh start. While I am not a fan of making resolutions, there are a few beauty related things I am going to do with the start of the new year. Among these are:

• Starting Olay's 14-Day Skin Intervention on January 1st. I've used the 14-day system in the past and liked the results. Ideally, I should be doing this once a quarter...but time goes by and I forget. The start of a new year seems to be the perfect time for giving my skin a little more attention than usual.
  
  
• Cleaning all my makeup brushes. Again, this is something I should be doing more frequently. But like many of you, I put this task off and the next thing I know, it's been ages since my brushes have been thoroughly cleaned. I'll be following my own advice (here) and take the time this week to clean my brushes and beauty tools so I am ready for a new year.
  
  
• Cleaning out my makeup cases. We all do it and we know better. We keep tons of old makeup products around because we just might use them one day. I'm especially bad. I get so many samples and products to try out that my many makeup cases are filled to the brim. I think now is the time to tidy things up a bit!

In the coming year, I think I'll be paying more attention to the foundations of beauty and will be devoting my time and money to taking care of my skin (and trying to fight off the signs of aging!), keeping my hair in top condition, and making sure my nails look healthy and lovely. If these foundations are sound, I can play with all the fun trends that are sure to come my way.

I'll be back in no time with tons of beauty news. Until then, if you have any big resolutions or plans for 2009, I'd love to hear them, so leave a comment. Here's to a happy and healthy 2009!