Scientific Serum: Oscar Blandi Hair Lift

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The quest for thick, voluminous hair is one of women’s ‘mane’ concerns. Look no further than Oscar Blandi Hair Lift. This weightless styling aid has a whipped, gel-like consistency that binds to the hair, providing fullness and body.

It can be overwhelming, thanks in part to the many root-lifters, thickening shampoos, circulation-boosting exfoliators, and scalp elixirs on the market, each promising to create thicker, fuller hair.

Hair Lift is clinically proven to:

• Thicken hair up to 47%
• Strengthen hair instantly
• Improve elasticity & body

In a series of rigorous clinical trials, hair measured thicker, fuller and stronger by up to 47%. The key to such unprecedented results is a breakthrough moisturizing system that infuses sodium hyaluronate derivatives into each strand. Hair is scientifically proven to look, feel and stay full.

Other key ingredients:

• Rice Starch Powder absorbs excess oils in the hair to naturally plump the hair shaft.
• Brown & red algae marine complex coats hair in a sheer film which revitalizes limp, lifeless hair.
• Heat activated copolymers protect hair from the drying and damaging effects of heat styling.

My Experience: Oscar Blandi Hair Lift absolutely creates fuller, thicker hair. The heat-activated serum plumped every strand of hair providing more volume and fullness. However, in my experience, hair was left quite frizzy. Easy fix: The next application I applied a bit of hair oil after applying Hair Lift and frizz was gone. I – 100% – see and feel a difference in my hair. For example: when wearing hair in a ponytail – after Hair Lift – the elastic used to tie the ponytail is wrapped around 2-times less. For me and my hair type this is a big breakthrough.

Try for yourself and experiment with amount needed and what makes this product work for you. There is a personal science to each and every individual hair type – no matter how scientifically-proven the product might be.

Second Skin: Giorgio Armani Maestro Fusion Makeup

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After 8 years of research, Giorgio Armani has produced a new face-makeup category. Touted as a “complexion perfector” or “complexion enhancer,” Giorgio Armani Maestro Fusion Makeup was created to fulfill the seemingly impossible duality of transparency and coverage.

Armani says that traditional foundations are usually emulsions containing water in oil with fillers; according to cosmetics experts, those fillers can produce a visible masking effect. Maestro Fusion Makeup is created with patented Fusion Technology, consisting of ultra-fine oil-pigments that “fuse” to the skin, blurring imperfections with a no-makeup feel.

Giorgio Armani Maestro Fusion Makeup, was created with five distinct principles:

1. A water and powder-free base 

2. Totally non-comodogenic 

3. Five time-released oils evaporating gradually

4. Smart pigment technology

5. An easy, fast, fresh and flawless application

The product is dispensed through a dropper and has a very runny consistency. It feels extremely smooth and weightless on the skin. If you have ever used a dry oil, this is the feeling it resembles. The result is a light, whisper-thin formula that gently moisturizes the skin. The shades blend equisitly into the skin and might be the answer to those suffering with color-matching. The finish is extremely natural with a bit of luminosity that lasts all day.

Available in 12 shades, Giorgio Armani Maestro Fusion Makeup is a new generation of foundation. A “revolutionary complexion perfector” that looks and feels like second skin.

Glow-T’s Mineral Powder Foundation Awards

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Glow-T’s Mineral Powder Foundation Awards. 

Trust me, I have tried them all. I am a true fan of mineral powders for texture, coverage, finish and added benefits. To date, here are my picks:

BEST TEXTURE: Korres Wild Rose Mineral Foundation

This talc-free, loose powder foundation contains Korres signature Wild Rose Extract, a natural source of vitamin C that helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and skin discolorations. The texture is lightweight and feels like it allows the skin to breathe. It glides on the skin with a silky-smooth texture. The coverage is very sheer which makes this the perfect setting powder, for the brightening benefits and SPF 30.

BEST COVERAGE: Youngblood Natural Mineral Foundation

Originally developed with leading doctors and for use in a medical setting, Youngblood minerals are some of the finest available. The Natural Mineral Foundation is no joke. The ultra-fine powders provide the most full-coverage I have seen, yet still feels light on the skin. It produces a flawless, glowing complexion and covers any blemish or discoloration properly. Perfect for all skintypes, it is enriched with minerals that provide UVA/UVB protection and is completely free from talc, perfumes and chemical dyes.

BEST FINISH: Laura Mercier Mineral Powder SPF 15

This finely milled powder is composed completely of natural elements with 15 active amino acids. It helps to clear the skin of toxins, promote healthy skin-cell growth and fight the aging process. The real selling point is the amazing satin finish this product produces. It makes skin look incredibly youthful and luminous. While buffing this product into the skin, it almost feels like a cream and smooths over the skin effortlessly. The water-resistant powder is long-lasting and provides medium coverage and the shade selection is full of neutral tones that look natural on the skin.

BEST IN SHOW: PRIORI CoffeeBerry Perfecting Minerals

The All-In-One mineral powder foundation. Treat/Cover/Protect. The only mineral line that contains CoffeeBerry, a powerful antioxidant that fights free radicals and the causes of aging skin. This foundation feels weightless on the skin. It contains light-diffusing minerals that reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles producing a smoother more perfected complexion. It not only evens-out skintone and redness, but treats the underlying causes. Recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation, this is the best choice for broad spectrum UV protection: SPF 25, UVA 10, PA+++. When I wear this foundation, I think of it more as skincare than makeup. It gives me the perfect coverage and glow, in which I even feel comfortable wearing it to the gym. This is my pick for a Mineral Powder Foundation, it is truly in a category of it’s own.

Holy Grail: Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Mascara

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Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Mascara is currently the best mascara I have ever used. Coming from a lunatic that has tested every imaginable mascara, this says a lot. As seen in Glow-T’s Best of 2011 post – I wanted to wait until I thoroughly tested this product to give an honest review. 

Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Mascara is all of your favorite lengthening/separating/volumizing mascaras rolled into one. The formula is smooth, weightless and incredibly pigmented. One coat is all that is needed for full/thick lashes, however, the build-able formula is capable of overly dramatic lashes without clumping (statement based on two thick coats). The wand’s handle is weighted, giving support for easy application. The brush is nothing special and on the larger size, but delivers intensely thick, black lashes.

The only criticism I have is the price. A $30 dollar mascara is hard to swallow with so many cheaper products on the market. In consideration, I purchased this mascara in the beginning of November and it is still going strong; no traces of dryness or emptiness.

Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Mascara is currently on my holy grail list. At this point, you would think I would never need to acknowledge another mascara again… You would think…

Tried & Tested: Susan Posnick COLORFLO

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Susan Posnick COLORFLO

One of the first mineral foundations ever created is Susan Posnick’s COLORFLO. After she was diagnosed with skin cancer, Susan Posnick (celebrity makeup artist) developed a mineral foundation with natural sun protection. She wanted a foundation that had coverage but felt invisible on the skin.

COLORFLO Mineral Foundation is made with all natural ingredients. It lets skin breath and won’t clog pores or irritate skin. It feels weightless on the skin and creates flawless radiant skin.

This sheer coverage foundation is buildable. By layering the product, one can create a medium coverage foundation or use directly as a concealer. COLORFLO provides powerful and natural sun protection and is extremely gentle on the skin.

Packaging is easy and simplified with a built-in application brush. The self-dispensing brush is perfect for on-the-go touchups and fits nicely in any bag.

Let Loose! BECCA Fine Loose Finishing Powder

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Becca Fine Loose Finishing Powder

BECCA Fine Loose Finishing Powder is widely regarded as the finest powder in the world. It not only sets makeup but, helps creates flawless, radiant, glowing skin.

The exclusive formula is lightly pigmented and micro-milled for an ultra-sheer, natural-looking finish. It sets makeup all day and keeps skin looking impeccably fresh. The lightweight texture allows the skin’s natural oils to subtly shine-through ensuring a no-makeup-makeup-look.

Apply this loose powder with a big fluffy brush or for those with oily to combination skin, use a powder-puff. The powder will not settle into fine lines or look cakey. It feels weightless and silky on the skin and provides sheer coverage.

BECCA Fine Loose Finishing Powder is very unique because it creates a natural dewy finish to the skin, which is quite unusual when using powder-based products.

Correct & Protect: NIA24 Sun Damage Prevention 100% Mineral Sunscreen

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NIA24 Mineral Sunscreen

Due to the importance of sunscreen, I test a lot of them and am always on the hunt for a light, non-chalky version that is also beneficial to the skin.

NIA24 Sun Damage Prevention 100% Mineral Sunscreen receives high-marks for all search criteria. This sunscreen contains a blend of active sunscreens that help to protect the skin from UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays. It has a rating of PA+++, which is the highest grade of defense against aging rays.

NIA24 contains Pro-Niacin, a skin strengthening compound clinically shown to improve skin tone, texture and reduce hyper-pigmentation. It also contains ceramides, which promote vibrancy and mango butter to nourish the skin.

The super-absorbent formula feels weightless on the skin and does not leave it looking greasy. The advanced sheer formula leaves no white residue behind, is oil-free, non-comedogenic, dermatologist recommended and suitable for sensitive skin.

NIA24 Sun Damage Prevention 100% Mineral Sunscreen will correct, prevent and benefit.