SkinStore Blog
Top 10 Holiday Gifts For Her
November 30, 2010  |  at 8:00 am  |  At Home Tools,Skin Care  

‘Tis the season of giving! Show your wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, cousin, girlfriend, friend and even a special little girl how much you care for her. The women in your life do a lot for you so we think it’s sweet of you to do something nice in return for them. Here’s a list of our top 10 girly faves for this year’s gift-giving.

Clarisonic Skin Care System in Pink is always a top seller for holidays. The Clarisonic system is 2x more effective than manual cleansing, and removes 6x more makeup. Clarisonic will help to remove dead skin cells therefore increasing treatment product absorption, it helps to reduce oily areas, dry skin patches and blemishes.

Pevonia Luxurious Gift Box is a gift for the most chic and luxury-loving lady in your life. Pamper her with a caviar-enriched cleanser, toner, serum and cream that’ll ensure a healthy glow in elegant packaging. High concentration of caviar and escutox improve the skin’s texture and elasticity, resulting in a tighter, finer, resurfaced skin with an undeniable youthful radiance.

Philosophy Amazing Grace Fragrance and Lotion Gift Set is a fragrant gift for the amazing gal who loves to smell like a slice of heaven. This infinitely feminine set includes a two ounce Amazing Grace fragrance and an eight ounce multi-tasking Amazing Grace perfumed body emulsion that are perfect for layering.

StriVectin SD Gift of Results Kit is a lovely gift for a woman that loves results. A new and improved Strivectin reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while the retexturizing scrub brightens dull skin. The Eye Concentrate for Wrinkles is the cherry on top that visibly diminish lines, creases, dark circles and puffiness.

L’Occitane Almond Enchantment Gift Set is a lovely choice for the naturalist. Gift her with softening, firming and smoothing properties of almond. The shower oil, milk concentrate, exfoliating paste, and almond soap transform any bathroom into the south of France with their indulgent fragrance and feel.

Frederic Fekkai Shine Shine Shine Gift Set is THE kit for a girl that loves her luscious locks. Fekkai’s legendary shine collection infuses encapsulated shine-release complex in its winning olive oil formula to renew the hair and boost shine, bounce and manageability.

Harajuku Lovers – G Eau de Toilette! is the perfect gift for the little cutie in your life. This little fragrance is quirky, unique and undeniably cool. Plus! It smells like the tropics- a great little getaway in the middle of winter!

Elemis Everyday Beauty Essentials is a great gift for the girl that loves a bit of everything. Creamy, nourishing and luxurious face, body and hand products in a smart clutch that she’ll enjoy now and in the warmer months too!

Laura Geller Baked and Beautiful Kit is a marvelous kit for the makeup maven. Five gorgeous pieces to take anyone from drab to fab in minutes! Fantastic for natural beauties and daring divas alike!

And of course who can forget Philosophy’s seasonal shower gels and holiday gift packs! There are TONS to choose from but some of our faves are Philosophy Gingerbread Girl Foaming Bubble Bath and Shower Gel, Philosophy Peppermint Bark Holiday Gift Set and Philosophy I’m Dreaming of…White Peach Shampoo, Shower Gel and Bubble Bath. These will surely make any mouth water!

Now that you have our 10 hottest gift picks, you can warm her heart through this chilly holiday season! So tell us, what’s under your Christmas tree this year?

Save 20% at SkinStore now thru Dec 1. Use code CYBER20 at checkout.

Certain items are excluded from offers. Each product detail page indicates if the promotion does not apply. Promo codes may not apply to already discounted items.

Booty Camp
November 29, 2010  |  at 8:00 am  |  Bath, Body & Fragrance  

Has Thanksgiving dinner taken a toll on your figure? Feeling guilty for going back for seconds or maybe even thirds? If your bum is not quite as perky and round as it used to be, we’ve got a few tips to whip your butt back into shape before New Years Eve rolls around.

First of all, there’s no magical lotion or potion that can give you a perfect derrière with no exercise or dieting involved. Everything in life worth having takes some effort to achieve. Same goes for your tush! Products can help smooth and firm the skin, but not the actual shape and size. Using a stimulating product like Bliss Fat Girl Sleep with potent ingredients that stimulate lymphatic drainage is helpful to reduce the appearance of dimpled skin. This product also has moisturizers that smooth and firm the skin.

To see dramatic results, sweat and modifications to your diet are essential. Eating healthy, well balanced meals will benefit not only your booty, but your overall health. Here are a few key exercises that will help create that perky, round shape you’re looking for.

Bent-Knee Deadlift: (Repeat 3 sets of 15)
Stand with feet shoulder width apart, holding a 5 pound weight in each hand at inner thighs. Bend knees to a shallow squat (about 30 degrees). Keeping your back straight, lower the weights toward the ground, squeeze glutes and slowly stand up. Repeat.

Single Leg Bridge: (Repeat 3 sets of 15)
Lie with your back on the floor and place your feet hip width apart on a couch or bench, knees bent 70 to 90 degrees. Extend left leg, keeping your toes pointed. Press into your right foot and lift hips toward the ceiling. Repeat on opposite side.

Lateral Step Extension (Repeat 3 sets of 15)
Stand with your right side facing a step bench, holding a 5 pound weight in each hand in front of your thighs. Step up sideways onto the bench with your right foot, then lift your left leg 45 degrees to the side, toes pointed. Hold for 3 counts. Step down and repeat. Switch sides.

Stay consistent with the booty camp routine and you’ll see results in no time!

Source: FitnessMagazine

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Effective and Affordable Zit Zapping Products
November 24, 2010  |  at 8:00 am  |  Skin Care  

Having trouble with breakouts? Want something to zap those pesky zits without breaking the bank? Here are our Top 5 picks to treat those blemishes.

1. Zeno Hot Spot Pink – This handy little device uses thermal-based ClearPoint™ technology to kill the blemish-causing bacteria on the skin.

2. SAMPAR Prodigal Pen Blemish Corrector – This pocket-sized pen is power packed with eight detoxifying, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory essential oils including sage, clove and lavender.

3. Bremenn Research Labs Emergency Zit Stick – With 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide, this concentrated spot treatment works instantly to heal blemishes and reduce any uncomfortable swelling and associated redness.

4. La Roche Posay Effaclar AI Intensive Acne Spot Treatment – This powerful spot treatment battles troublesome zits with a one-two punch combining two of the most popular and effective blemish fighting ingredients on the market, Salicylic Acid and Benzoyl Peroxide.

5. Ole Henriksen Roll On Blemish Attack – Combining Benzoyl Peroxide, Salicylic Acid and Zinc, this triple threat really does attack those blemishes without overdrying or irritating the skin in the process.

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Top 5 Holiday Gifts under $35
November 23, 2010  |  at 8:00 am  |  Bath, Body & Fragrance  

Tis the season for gift giving and this year we have the nicest gift ideas for everyone. Holiday gift giving is made easy from beauty to relaxation with our wide variety of gifts. These holiday gifts offer luxury with a touch of holiday spirit and are budget friendly too.

L’Occitane Hand Indulgences: This luxury hand cream set makes the perfect gift for anyone. You can enjoy a vanilla, winter rose and shea hand cream that will leave hands soft and smooth with a touch of beautiful fragrance.

Too Faced Glamour To Go Fairy Edition. This beauty kit is a must have for any girl’s stocking this year. You can customize your look with 8 eye shadows, a bronzer, blush, and gloss. It will last all day, and is portable for on the go touch ups. The price is so amazing you will want to pick one up for yourself!

Calvin Klein Women’s Holiday Coffret Set: This wonderful set of Calvin Klein’s most popular fragrances will be a great gift for any woman this year. This collection features four different scents you can wear alone or layer for a signature scent. Sets are a great way to try out different fragrances and the little bottles look so adorable displayed on your vanity!

Philosophy The Gingerbread Man Scrub: It wouldn’t be Christmas without Philosophy’s holiday collections to delight our senses. This ginger spiced scrub will exfoliate and polish your dry winter skin. The sea salts heat up as you rub them in, this warming sensation creates an at home full body spa experience that will be the perfect gift for anyone.

H20 Plus Bath Basics Shower Gel Favorites: This enticing collection features 6 travel- ready shower gels that are infused with fruit extracts and soothing marine botanicals. This is the perfect gift for anyone that needs a little relaxation and pampering. Take a little extra time and use the gels for a luxurious bubble bath.

With all these wonderful choices it’s hard to pick just one; maybe you can get all five and share with a friend or two. We have you covered this year from head to toe so go on and find that perfect gift!

Save 20% at SkinStore for a limited time!

Certain items are excluded from offers. Each product detail page indicates if the promotion does not apply. Promo codes may not apply to already discounted items.

Best of Bust
November 22, 2010  |  at 8:00 am  |  Bath, Body & Fragrance,Skin Care  

Whether you are small chested like Kate Hudson or have an ample bust like Pamela Anderson it’s likely that you already know the importance of taking care of your “girls” to keep them looking their best, no matter their size.

A perky, smooth bust resonates youth and good health. Unfortunately, gravity, sun damage, breast feeding, and hormonal changes can all take their toll. But you don’t have to be pregnant or in menopause to start taking care of your tata’s! It’s never too early to start taking preventative measures, and it’s never too late to use corrective products!

Skincare shouldn’t stop at the neck. That’s why you should use high-quality products on your chest area. Decleor Aroma Sculpt Bust Beautifying Toning Gel is a natural formula that contains an exclusive cocktail of eight active essential oils and Phyto-Firm Complex to promote a toning and tightening effect while leaving a luminous iridescence. It’s great for gals in their 20’s that are taking preventative measures and looking to achieve a pretty glow.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Lifting Treatment for Neck and Bust is an outstanding two for one product that provides firming and lifting benefits to both the neck and décolleté areas. Best for mature skin types, Elemis Pro-Collagen Lifting Treatment’s clinical trials claim the following results: reduction is skin crepiness by up to 33%, increase in skin firmness by up to 17%, and increase in skin elasticity by 14%. That’s a lot of bang for your buck!

Lierac Paris Bust Lift Creme Firming Anti-Brown Spots Cream is a great choice for those that have crepiness and sun damage like brown spots or freckles due to too much sun exposure. Hydration, firmness, reduction of hyperpigmentation are a result of using this miracle in a jar. Lierac Paris Bust Lift Spray Treatment for Bust and Décolleté can be layered under the cream for even better results.

Are you a new mom? Are you expecting? Mustela Specific Support Bust is an amazing product to use pre, during and post pregnancy. It helps promote firmness, prevent loss of elasticity, and relieve tension. It soothes breast tenderness and stretching sensations of the skin and it’s an elegant formula that soaks quickly into the skin so you can get on with your busy baby-filled day!

And what about cup size? What if you’re unhappy with yours? Before you look into augmentation try a product that’s sure to fill out your bra without the pain or the cost of surgery. Rodial Boob Job “blocks” fat into the area where the product has been applied. When applied to the bust area, Boob Job will gradually increase cup size and will provide an instant lifting and firming effect.

Whether you’re young or mature, small or large breasted there’s a décolleté product for you. Remember that your neck and chest can give your age away, even when your face looks amazing. So take care of your décolleté and breasts to keep your chest looking youthful and you feeling oh-so-good and confident!

Top Five Neck Creams
November 19, 2010  |  at 8:00 am  |  Skin Care  

Turkey neck. Neck rings. “Chicken skin”. Sagging. Drooping. Unsightly and unnecessary aging of the neck area. While most of us take really great care of our faces, we often leave our necks out of the anti-aging regimen. Thank goodness for neck creams! Here are our top five picks to get your neck in tip top shape, whether you’re working on correcting already existing damage, or looking to prevent those unpleasant neck troubles later on.

Cellex-C Advanced C Neck Firming Cream $127
This outstanding formulation contains 15% vitamin C which provides antioxidant and lightening benefits while stimulating the production of collagen. It also contains resveratrol, which is an exceptional free-radical scavenger extracted from grapes. Clinical studies show that resveratrol protects by inhibiting enzymes that degrade collagen. It contains other active ingredients like grape seed extract, L-ergothioneine and triglycerides to promote antioxidant and anti aging benefits.

Perricone MD Firming Neck Therapy $95
Perricone MD Firming Neck Therapy helps improve skin firmness and elasticity and reduces the appearance of lines, wrinkles and neck skin creases. With consistent applications, Firming Neck Therapy will help tone, tighten and form a barrier to increase the appearance of skin’s overall elasticity and thickness. It nourishes and hydrates the skin to help minimize developing lines, wrinkles and crepiness.It is odorless, non-greasy, non-staining and easily absorbs into the skin.

StriVectin Neck Cream $90
An amazing formula for ‘turkey neck’ StriVectin Neck Cream dramatically lifts, shapes and refines the skin, producing a smoother, younger-looking contour. It’s a formula that’s best for those that are experiencing loss of elasticity or desire a neck lift effect without going under the knife. This miraculous product contains botanical extracts and lab-engineered cosmeceutical ingredients to revitalize the neck area.

Alchimie Forever Alexandrite Firming Gel for Neck and Bust $55
This lightweight quick absorbing gel helps to lift and tighten the neck and bust area with its green tea and rosemary complex. Also helps to lighten sun damage and brighten the skin’s appearance to restore an even-toned youthful and firm neck and décolletage.

Dermelect Self Esteem Neck Firming Lift $45
Antioxidants and hydrators in Dermelect’s Self-Esteem Neck Firming Lift help to increase the elasticity and resiliency of the skin while working to nourish and tone the appearance of sagging facial contours around sensitive areas of the neck and jaw line.

So there you have it! Our neck favorites! Did we leave your favorite out of our top? Let us know which neck cream you love, and why you love it! We’d love to hear!

Spice Up Your Skincare
November 18, 2010  |  at 8:00 am  |  Skin Care  

Spices are not just for cooking, many skincare companies utilize spices, or the oils obtained from them, in the formulation of their products. Here are just a few with notable skincare benefits.

• Fennel – Fennel’s ability to decrease irritation and redness make it a great ingredient for sensitive skin. It also has the capability to tone and tighten making it a useful tool for mature skin and a great addition to an eye cream. The Obagi Nu-Derm Eye Cream contains fennel. With its ability to stimulate lymphatic drainage and reduce puffiness, Fennel is a useful firming agent.

• Cloves – These little evergreen tree buds have been used all over the world for centuries. Clove oil is an effective antimicrobial agent and is often added to acne treatment products such as the Boscia Clear Complexion Treatment. Additionally, cloves are rich in Vitamins A and C, two very effective antioxidants.

• Cinnamon – Individuals with oily or acne-prone skin will benefit from this yummy ingredient due to its antibacterial and naturally astringent properties. Korres Cinnamon and Natural Clay Deep Cleansing Mask is a great product that makes use of its benefits. Cinnamon is also well known for its warming effect and is commonly found in body products such as soaks and scrubs to help boost circulation. Melvita Cinnamon Orange Cream Soap and Kings and Queens Queen Isabella Cinnamon Orange Body Scrub are some of our favorites.

• Pepper – Pepper is a popular ingredient in body products due to its ability to boost circulation. Bliss Blood Orange and White Pepper Sugar Scrub also have analgesic properties and can be used to soothe muscle aches. Aromatherapy Associates De-Stress Muscle Gel is another great muscle soother.

• Turmeric – This is a popular ingredient because of its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric is also a powerful antioxidant and can help with the lightening of hyperpigmentation. For a more in-depth look on Turmeric, see our previous blog. [“Hot Ingredient – Turmeric”]

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Ashley Greene – Celeb Inspired Look
November 17, 2010  |  at 8:00 am  |  Cosmetics  

11.4 million viewers tuned in to watch the 2010 VMA’s on September 12th, myself included. I was glued to my TV drooling all over myself as I watched all the gorgeous celebrities strut their stuff up and down the “white” carpet. Some stunning and some…. well shocking… cough cough (Lady Gaga!) cough. Gotta’ love her though! There was one person in particular that stood out to me, Ashley Greene. Beauty just radiated from her that night, therefore, inspiring this celebrity tutorial.

Setting the Stage

Apply a medium to full coverage foundation to conceal any flaws. Stila One Step Makeup Foundation works as a primer foundation and concealer all in one step.

Set with a natural mineral powder like Amazing Cosmetics Velvet Mineral Powder Foundation for a naturally flawless finish.

The Main Production

To highlight apply a shimmering subtle white under the brow bone. Stila Eye Shadow Pan – Moonlight is an excellent choice.

Next, apply a soft sliver shadow all over the rest of the lid

Apply your deep navy color along the lash line and in the outer corners of you lid. Then continue to carry the shadow into the natural crease of your eye to add definition, Stila Eye Shadow in Azure  is a great color for this step.

On the inner corners on your eyes, apply a shimmering neutral Gray and blend into the crease.

Now for the eyeliner. Ashley has a dark, thick and slightly smoky liner, use one that smudges easy to create that sexy smoky look. bareMinerals Big and Bright Eyeliner Pencil Black works perfectly for this step. Apply the liner in and above the lash line, make sure to get in the water line on both the upper and lower lid and in between your lashes really well.

Smudge the bottom liner to soften the look and then go over the bottom with the soft sliver shadow and in the inner corners to add highlight.

Lastly, load on the mascara. Too Faced Lash Injection in Pitch Black comes in handy to help pump and darken lashes.

The Supporting Role

Her brows are kept natural and understated as in to not upstage her eyes. To keep it soft, use a buildable powder for the brows. This way you’re able to gauge how little or how much to use. Billion Dollar Brows Brow Babe Kit comes with everything a brow queen would need.

Keeping with the theme of her brows, her cheeks have just a healthy, natural hint to them. bareMinerals Blush in Dusk is great for this job. Apply on the apples of the cheeks and sweep upward to the temple.

And last but not least the lips! To stay with consistency, the lip color follows suit with the rest of the supporting roles. Natural, nude, soft hint of subtle rose, Too Faced Lip of Luxury in Celebrity Meltdown is perfect for this part.

Like this blog and share it with your friends on Facebook! Or leave us a comment, questions, or feedback – if you have a question, one of our estheticians will respond to you directly when you supply your email address in your response, remember, email addresses are not posted with your comment.

Top 5 Tool Gifts
November 16, 2010  |  at 8:00 am  |  At Home Tools  

If Mom wrote a wish list to Santa it would most likely include our Top 5 Tools! These devices are the latest advancements in skincare technology. Her eyes will surely light up if she’s lucky enough to have one waiting for her under the tree!

Clarisonic Opal Sonic Infusion System is the newest tool added to Clarisonic’s lineup. The Opal’s soothing sonic action gently infuses eye serum into the top layer of skin refreshing and renewing the appearance of skin around the eye area. Eyes will appear brighter and firmer with improved elasticity. Fine lines, under-eye puffiness and dark circles are also reduced.

Silk’n SensEpil Hair Removal Device is the next best thing to professional laser hair removal treatments at a fraction of the price! Silk’n uses pulsed light technology for safe long-term hair removal. The results are comparable to laser technology used in physician’s offices after just s few sessions. Full leg treatments are completed in as little as 30 minutes. Waxing and tedious shaving will just be banished for good.

Clarisonic Plus Skin Care System with Spot Treatment kicks the cleansing and exfoliation process into overdrive! In addition to the face brush, the plus system also includes a body attachment. Troublesome areas such as the décolleté, knees, elbows, and feet are easily tackled with the body brush attachment. With continual use your skin will be firmer, softer and have improved texture.

Baby Quasar Power Pack is the ultimate skin care tool that addresses anti-aging concerns while simultaneously battling hormonal acne. When blue and red infrared lights are used in conjunction, the results are astonishing! The blue light eradicates blemish causing bacteria Propionibacterium acnes, also known as P. acne bacteria while the red light stimulates collagen and elastin production, shrinks pore size, and reduces sebum production. It’s a one, two combo that dramatically improves your complexion.

DDF Revolve 400X Micro-Polishing System is an at home microdermabrasion device that is as effective as professional spa treatments. The unique rotating motion polishes away skin imperfections with 400 rotations per minute. The device greatly reduces the appearance of pore size and fine lines with continual use. Skin texture is also improved revealing a smoother more radiant complexion.

What’s on your wish list? We’d love to know which tool you’re dying to try!

Flower Power
November 15, 2010  |  at 8:00 am  |  Skin Care  

Elegant and delicate are just a couple of words to describe some of nature’s most beautiful botanicals; flowers. Just like they add beauty to life, they are being used in different skin care products to enhance the natural beauty of our skin.

Throughout time flowers and their extracts have been used to create products to prevent and treat certain skin concerns. Each one however can differ entirely on the benefits it has to offer. Here are some of the types used and the benefits they can offer your skin.

Power of the Rose- The most known flower around the world symbolized by its enchanting beauty and smell, it offers many different benefits that range from emotional, to psychological and medicinal. Specific to skin care the rose can be used to hydrate skin, reduce redness, heal, tone/firm, and even prevent infection. No wonder the rose is the queen of all flowers! Try Decleor Aroma Night Rose D’Orient Soothing Night Balm.  

Power of the Lotus- Asian in origin, this flower is rich in vitamins B & C. That means that on top of offering great antioxidant protection it can be used to reduce brown spots, firm, and reduce fines lines/ wrinkles. It is also used to hydrate dry skin.

Power of the Hibiscus- One of the most exotic and tantalizing flowers of the tropics, it offers many different benefits. The flower is rich in AHA and amino acids. It helps to exfoliate, firm, tone, hydrate, and reduce excess oil production. It is also used in different anti-cellulite products and hair care products. Try the NUXE Aroma Vaillance Moisturizing Deep Wrinkle Emulsion, which has Hibiscus extract.

Power of Lavender- Due to the fresh clean aroma it provides, lavender is also named Lavare. The name is Latin for “to wash”. It offers to treat different inflammatory concerns such as acne, wrinkles, psoriasis, and will also help heal wounds, cuts, or burns. For sensitive/ oily skin types it will help control oil production for a maintained ph balance. It has been used for other concerns including stress relief and sleep aid.

Power of the Orchid- This unique and ravishing flower holds both protective and regenerative properties. While offering to protect from different environmental hazards, it also assists in hydrating the skin. Certain parts of the orchid are supposed to have water-holding capabilities. These properties alone are enough to aid in faster skin renewal!

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