Blog Archives
Four Favorites: Multi-Purpose Balm
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More concentrated than most creams or lotions, these versatile salves can tackle two or more problems at once. Great to keep on your nightstand or in your handbag/gymbag these multi-purpose balms will cure – honestly – whatever ails you… soothe cracked heels, chapped knuckles, sunburn, windburn, minor scrapes, post-peel irritation, skin irritation, chafing, chapped nose, scratches, dry elbows, rough cuticles, between toes, post-wax skin, post-shave skin, dry patches, earlobes, blisters, ring fingers, tattoos, hairline prior to coloring, stretch marks. extra dewiness, tame flyaways, rebellious eyebrows, makeup mistakes and split ends. Whew!
Here are my current four favorites:
Rodial Glam Balm MULTI: A brilliant multi-use anti-aging balm that feels luxurious and solves all manner of beauty woes from flaking skin to dry knees. This cult product has been ordained “The Swiss Army Knife of Beauty Products,” for it’s wide variety of uses. The new formula “MULTI” has added the anti-aging benefits of 3D Hyaluronic Filling Spheres to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Favorite use: In-flight moisturizing mask. FULL REVIEW OF RODIAL GLAM BALM: HERE
Egyptian Magic: Living up to it’s namesake, this olive oil and honey-based balm works magic on elbows, knees and everything in between. Formulated with all-natural ingredients this magical balm has been used for centuries to care for and nourish the skin. Favorite use: a moisturizer to help extend your summer tan. FULL REVIEW OF EGYPTIAN MAGIC: HERE
Dr. Lipp Original Nipple Balm for Lips: (Yes, you read that right…) Recommended by midwives, this balm was originally designed to relieve the dry, painful nipples associated with breastfeeding. Makeup artists discovered many other uses: hydrating skin and lips on the fly/highlighting cheek bones/eye gloss – and it soon became an industry secret. Formulated with 100% medical-grade lanolin, this balm reduces skin roughness by up to 40% in an hour. It also acts as a barrier to prevent any moisture from escaping or bacteria from entering. Favorite use: Eye cream.
The Balm – By Nieves: This concentrated balm is made with all-natural ingredients that moisturize, heal and soothe the skin; softening coconut oil, antioxidant-rich sesame oil, calming virginia cedar, healing lavender and balancing ylang ylang. Orange extract releases an uplifting and zesty aroma and provides a healthy glow to the skin and hair. The buttery texture melts effortlessly into the skin restoring softness and elasticity immediately. Great for both man and woman, The Balm is safe to use anywhere on the body. Favorite use: Moisturize dry ends and fix fly-aways.
Tips & Tricks: Perfect Summer Glow
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I have spent the last couple months aggressively testing the best self-tanning products on the market. From sprays to mousse, wipes to lotions, I have discovered some great formulas and techniques. (Reviews to follow)
Along the way, I have picked up some tips and tricks to get the perfect summer glow:
PREP:
☀ Do a patch test: Skin may be sensitive to DHA (a sugar derivative) or other ingredients in the product.
☀ Wax 24 hours in advance. Shave 12 hours in advance.
☀ Exfoliate! To get the smoothest, streak-free color possible, apply self-tanner immediately after exfoliating. The outer layer of the epidermis, which is what the self-tanner interacts with, is composed of dead skin cells that last only 7 to 10 days before they shed. You want to make sure you have an even layer of dead skin cells so that they all tan and slough off together. If you don’t properly exfoliate some of the skin will begin peeling in a day or two, which can result in a splotchy tan job.
☀ Apply a light body lotion to dry areas such as knees, elbows and heels. Body lotion will prevent the tanner from saturating these areas.
☀ Choose your favorite self-tanning formula: Aerosols are easy to apply and dry very fast. Mousse has quick-drying power and gives you more control. Wipes are great for on-the-go. Lotions are the most hydrating and will generally last the longest.
APPLICATION:
☀ 99% of the time you will end up with a streaky or uneven tan because of lack of product. Always work with enough product so you are able to glide it over the skin freely. Your skin will only absorb a certain amount of product so it is better to follow the “more is better” rule.
☀ With many application methods to choose from: gloves, mitts, brushes… I believe the best device is your hands. To prevent tan-palms, do not wait until the end to wash your hands. Scrub hands after each section of the body is completed.
☀ Apply product section by section. Always start at the bottom, so you won’t crease the color as you bend over. Start with feet: Apply product to a cotton round and blend on the tops of feet, toes and ankle area. This is my biggest problem area and have found this technique to be the best.
☀ Continue to apply over the shin and calf of a leg. Then apply tanner to your thigh from front to back, using the excess to cover your knee. Repeat on your other leg. For the final step, apply tanner to your hips, stomach and torso, following with your shoulders and arms.
☀ For application to the back area – your best bet is have someone do it for you. Otherwise, use an aerosol formula for an easier reach.
☀ Hands – same technique as feet. After applying product to the body. Wash hands vigorously. Add product to a cotton round and smooth over the backs of hands and lightly on the fingers, blending down onto the wrist area.
☀ An easy way to soften or slow down the absorption of self-tanner on areas that tend to grab a lot of product such as the elbows, knees and heels is to use a dry wash cloth to gently buff these areas after application. It will pick up some of the excess self-tanner and prevent them from getting too dark.
☀ Ever notice that areas like sunspots, melasma or old scars tend to get darker and more noticeable when you’ve slathered on self-tanner? Once you apply self-tanner to the area, take a slightly damp Q-Tip and gently wipe off the self-tanner from the areas where the dark spots are most prevalent. If it still grabs to the spot – try dipping Q-Tip into some rubbing alcohol. This will minimize the chance of the area getting darker and create a more even tone to the skin.
☀ Wait at least 15 minutes before dressing.
EXTENDING YOUR TAN:
☀ Moisturize! Try to moisturize the skin a couple times a day.
☀ Try a gradual tanner. This will not only extend your tan but will even it out as well.
Increasing Awareness: Parabens
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Parabens are compounds used as preservatives in many cosmetics and beauty products. Many of these compounds are mild and safe to use on an everyday basis. However, there is one that I look-out for when purchasing cosmetics.
Methylparaben is an anti-fungal and preservative that may be found in many products including food, drugs, cosmetics and skin cream. It is used to kill unwanted bacteria, fungi and microbes that might grow in products and may be potentially harmful.
The October 3, 2006, issue of Toxicology published a study that shows when skin treated with creams that contain methylparaben were exposed to the sun’s UVB rays, the skin cells died and there was considerable oxidative stress on the skin’s tissue.
There is reason to be mindful of these chemicals but not to have an all-consuming concern. Always check the ingredients list before purchasing a product and become knowledgeable of what the ingredients are. Be observant of the products applied to skin that will be exposed to the sun. There are many products on the market that are paraben-free and I imagine more will be made available.
Glow-T Gift Guide: Skincare
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Glow-T Gift Guide continues with skincare. Every girl loves to pamper themselves with luxurious skincare. Holiday sets are a great way to try new brands and different products to find a routine that works for you. From high-tech solutions to all-natural skincare, here are a few gift ideas for the holidays.
Sephora ~ Kate Somerville Ageless Solutions Kit: $75.00
Sephora ~ Clarisonic Mia Skin Cleansing System: $129.00
Space NK ~ Eve Lom Daily Collection: $85.00
DermStore ~ La Roche-Posay Winter Skin Solution Kit: $55.00
REN: Combination Skin Kit: $30.00
Glow-T 