Take 10-15 minutes to yourself and fix your skin love! Travel can wreak havoc on our skin. Flying can over dry your skin…baggage claims can over stress your skin…and the ride in the taxi cab…well that is a whole other story. Whether in travel or not, sometimes we need a skin intervention to relieve the daily damage and stress that we put our skin through. Avene Soothing Moisture Mask is preservative-free, hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic. Help restore your skin’s barrier function and replenish the moisture in your thirsty skin. As an additional benefit, Avene Soothing Moisture Mask contains the Avene Thermal Spring Water clinically proven to calm, soothe and soften the skin while restoring skin’s natural balance. Yes, this is the same water used since 1743 in Avene’s Hydrotherapy Center to treat skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis.
Need and instant eye fix? De-puff, de-line and hydrate your eyes with the Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Eye Mask. With cucumber extract and Vitamin C, this eye mask can the tossed into the fridge for 5 minutes before application for even better de-puffing action! Use once per week or just as needed to help reduce the swelling of your puffy eyes.
Find this item and other great products at SkinStore!
Don’t scratch it! Grab ATOPALM MLE Cream instead. This wonder potion works fantastic on dry skin, itchiness, redness, bites, scratches, etcetera. This is a must have for every medicine cabinet. It is a multi-functional product that the whole family can benefit from.
The ATOPALM MLE Face Cream is also super soothing to dry irritated skin facial skin. Perfect for sensitive skin types including those with Rosacea and Eczema. Plus, ATOPALM MLE Face Cream contains antioxidants and Vitamins B and E to help protect your skin from free radical damage.
Visit SkinStore.com for all of your skin care needs. Be sure to check out the ATOPALM!
Need a fast solution to an embarrassing zit problem? For quick overnight treatment of a rogue pimple, try dabbing a spot of Astara Blue Flame Purification Mask onto your pimple just before bed. This product is fantastic for spot treating those rascally rogue pimples. Overnight, the redness and swelling are noticeably reduced. For ladies, dab on a little concealer the next morning, then even or smooth out by applying your powder or liquid foundation on top and be on your way. Use a second nightly spot treatment when necessary. This is a must have for your beauty emergency kit.
How do I know when my cosmetics products will expire? What is the expiration date of my face cream? The list of questions about when cosmetics and skin care will expire will continue to be on our top 10 list of common questions.
To answer this question, it is important to note that though the FDA requires manufactures to declare information regarding product ingredients, and proper labeling and/or packaging that does not mislead, currently no requirement exists for cosmetics or skin care manufacturers to supply expiration dates. There are a few exceptions such as, products containing sun protection factors, and certain over the counter treatment type ingredients that may be in some acne and hair care products.
Knowing that expiration dates are not required on skin care and cosmetic products is highly important. Now more than ever, consumer education becomes a critical element in making sure that the skin care products you use daily are safe, free from contaminates, and not spoiled. So how long is too long, one may ask? In the age of the recessionista, skin care and cosmetics is one area you will not want to be over conservative on, don’t fall into the snare of saving your old product to save money; it’s just not worth it.
Have you ever seen the label to the right? Do you know what it means? Take a look at some of your products; you may be surprised to see it on a large portion of them. Though not required here in the U.S. many manufacturers are adopting European Union’s system for regulating open product shelf life. In the example to the right, the symbol represents a guideline of a 12 month shelf life AFTER the product has been opened. Good to know! But there is a flaw, you still have to use your noodle when it comes to product safety, so if you share products, use your fingers in products, expose them to heat or any other contamination factors, you need to be aware that your products may need to be replaced sooner, the label is just a guideline.
From a skin care perspective, some products have a one-two year shelf life before they are opened and some even longer. Once a product has been opened, shelf life varies however; it is the contamination factor that becomes an area of concern. Cosmetics shelf life also varies and I would not recommend long term unopened storage for most cosmetics. Again, once opened, the clock starts ticking, don’t let it be a bacteria time bomb! As a general rule, common sense play’s a huge part in making sure that your products are safe, there are no hard fast rules, just merely smart guidelines and suggestions.
General safety guidelines:
Don’t share your products with friends (avoid testers, and don’t borrow any product either, you don’t know where that product has been, that is just gross)
Wash your hands before use, and always keep the outside of your containers clean (I used single application alcohol swabs for my containers)
Store product in a cool, dry, dark place
Securely replace product caps, lids, or other opening device after each use
If your products color, consistency, smell or texture changes, throw it out (product with Vitamin C will change color if exposed to oxygen or sunlight)
Don’t stick your fingers in your product jars, single use applicators like a sponge, cotton swab, or a cosmetic spatula are best (no double dipping)
Wash your brushes at least once per month and disinfect between uses
Don’t expose or store your product where temperatures can heat up like in your car for example.
Don’t add any water, or even worse, saliva to your products (again, that is just gross)
Never, never, never use products in multiple areas, for example, using an eye liner simultaneously as your lip liner (gross!) germs from your mouth can transfer to your eyes
If you get an eye infection, don’t use any eye products and make sure you promptly toss out all product you had used before you got the infection, better to be safe than sorry!
If you have acne, it is extremely important that you understand that using product can not only exacerbate your concern, but applicators can become loaded with bacteria which can further spread acne to other areas of your face. Never apply product to an open lesion and always use clean fresh applicators
Specifics:
Mascara: At least every 3 mos. Dropped it? Toss it!
Eyeliner (pencil): Sharpened daily, you can use for up to 18 mos.
Eyeliner (liquid): Up to 3-6 mos. Dropped it? Toss it!
Eye Shadow (cream): Up to 6 mos.
Eye Shadow (powder): Up to 18-24 mos.
Concealer: Up to 12 mos. (sooner if used up to the eye)
Foundation: Up to 12 mos.
Powder: Up to 18 mos.
Blush/Bronzer (powder): Up to 18 mos.
Blush (cream): Up to 6-12 mos.
Lip Liner: Up to 12 mos.
Lip Stick/Gloss: Up to 18 mos.
Remember, to save a little money is a good thing! But whatever you do, don’t take a chance on bad product! If it smells funky, changes color or texture, toss it! Product containing natural ingredients can spoil more quickly, but colors can also vary from batch to batch, just be aware of your purchase date and the date you opened the product. Products containing Vitamin C can change color to become more amber, this is natural, BUT if you have had the product open for an extended period of time, it may be time for a replacement. My final suggestion, use a sharpie to mark the purchase dates as well as the open dates on each of your products. In the end, it could save you more money, expense and pain by reducing your risk of infection or ugly side effects associated with putting bad product on your face.
So here we are at the beginning of another holiday season, with gift lists in hand, we are off to our favorite retail locations and websites to find all the right gifts for all of the special people in our life!
This year, many of us are choosing to slim down our holiday budget, but we still want to give gifts that are meaningful. As reported on the Today show, even Neiman Marcus has gotten into the spirit of savings by offering almost 50 percent of the items in their holiday catalog at $250 or less! With that being said, for those of us who will not be giving small aircraft or luxury cars as gifts this year, the gift of scent can be a perfect option.
Gentlemen, you should know that the woman in your life probably loves perfume, but she may not always want to purchase it herself. Surprise her! The Calvin Klein Woman’s Coffret Set offers a selection of half ounce or sample sizes of all the hottest scents. Euphoria, Eternity, Secret Obsession, CK One, and Obsession for Women, they are all included (supplies may be limited!).
Another option is the CLEAN Coffret Holiday Set. Get 1oz. size of each scent including the Original Eau de Parfum, Shower Fresh, Simply Soap, and Warm Cotton. CLEAN is a fresh smelling line of scent that is not over stated. The scents are soft and wear well through the day.
Ladies, you know you love it when your man smells super delicious! Kenneth Cole Black is a classic, it smells clean and fresh. The Kenneth Cole Black Gift Set includes the Black Eau de Toilette, travel size, after shave gel and the deodorant. This set is perfect for the man on the go and it smells Yummy!
Whether you are spending a little or a lot this year, fragrance can be the perfect gift of choice. Stop in at the SkinStore.com Fragrance department and check out all of the goodies. Even the teens and tweens will be happy; we have the Harajuku Lovers, 10 varieties to choose from!
So you don’t have time to hit the salon for a touch up on your roots? No worries Oscar Blandi has the solution for you. The Oscar Blandi Colore Pen is perfect for us ladies on the go who may be in need to a hair intervention but just do not have the time to hit the salon. The Oscar Blandi Colore Pen takes the stress out of our color treatment woes…it can be used anytime, anyplace and comes in six shades. It stays put until you wash it out. This is a must have for your box of beauty tricks!
It’s Saturday morning and you have to get the kids to soccer, baseball and ballet functions…time is of the essence right? The Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo is a quick fix solution when you have to run but don’t have extra time to wash your hair. With rice, oat, and tapioca starches excess oil and product can be absorbed quickly without weighing your hair down. Increase volume, refresh and recharge your hair pronto with this little beauty secret. It smells fantastic too! Just apply a small amount in your hand and massage into your scalp to experience a dry wash that will get you through your busy day. The Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo is a life saver! Plus it is an Allure Best of Beauty Award Winner. Be sure to add this to your hair care survival kit!
For individuals with dry skin, changes in the weather or other environmental factors can often lead to the frustrating process of finding a new way to best hydrate your skin. Without immediate and proper attention, you know that your skin can quickly become parched and flaky, or even hypersensitive or painfully tight.
The manifestation of dry skin can vary from person to person. Severity can range from dry patches to chronically dry skin on the face and body. The pervasiveness of your dry skin may also be year round or just when weather or environmental factors change. Regardless, those who experience dry skin seek moisture and relief.
Since cleansing is one of the most important aspects of our daily skin care rituals, I will often start there when providing a consultation to our clients. When speaking to those who have truly dry skin (skin still feels dry even after 12 hours), I often ask if they have ever tried an oil based cleanser such as Babor Hy-Ol & Phytoactive Base Cleansing System. Most individuals that I have spoken with had not considered taking such an aggressive approach to dry skin, but I have to tell you, personally I have tried oil based cleansers, such as the one just mentioned, and I find that they are highly effective especially during the winter season, in high elevation areas, windy climates or dry cool regions. One of the active ingredients that I appreciate in the Babor Combination Skin Cleanser is the witch hazel which is an astringent that has antioxidant qualities and has been used to treat eczema and psoriasis. I will generally suggest that this type of cleanser be used in the evening and a hydro-based lighter cleanser like the Pevonia Dry Skin Cleanser or the Decleor Cleansing Milk in the morning, but that is really a personal preference based on the user and what their specific needs are. Babor also makes a sensitive skin formulation of the Hy-Ol and Phytoactive solutions.
Another more natural approach to cleansing is the Sundari Comfrey Cleanser for Dry Skin. Sundari has a high concentration of natural based ingredients such as comfrey and chamomile extracts. Follow this cleanser with the Sundari Essential Oil for Dry Skin and the Lavender Moisturizer and you have a cocktail of wonderfully hydrating ingredients. Check out the customer reviews by going to the product pages at SkinStore.com if you have a moment.
Moisturizers are another critical element of caring for your dry skin. Facial moisturizers come in all levels of hydration and consistency. It can be confusing to try to find the right one. There are night creams, day creams and multipurpose creams in every type of delivery system from tubes to pumps to jars.
From a moisturizer perspective, because I have true dry skin, I prefer to use, as well as recommend, a hydrator such as the SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel or the Cellex-C Hydra 5B Complex, and then a moisturizer on top, this is a morning regimen. The moisturizer you choose should have an SPF. I suggest the La Roche Posay Hydraphase UV SPF30 because it is light enough to apply under makeup without any sticky or cakey feeling that some sunscreens can have, it is also super hydrating. Another good moisturizing SPF is the Peter Thomas Roth Max All Day Moisture Defense Cream SPF30, again it is light enough to use under makeup.
If you use or need a treatment, use your treatment product first, then the hydrator and apply the moisturizer last. For treatment, the SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF or the C E Ferulic is a must have for every woman concerned with preventative measures, cell turnover, elasticity and even hyperpigmentation. Depending on what you need, I would advise reading about the products on SkinStore.com to determine which is best suited to address your skin care concerns.
For an evening moisturizing treatment Kinerase and SkinCeuticals have some wonderful options. SkinCeuticals has the Renew Overnight Dry with a 10% hydroxy acid to exfoliate the skin. Kinerase has a couple that I have used and can suggest the Ultimate Night Moisturizer and the Pro Therapy Ultra Rich Night Repair. The Pro Therapy line in general is really great. The Night Repair has the Kinetin and Zeatin formulation that help with moisture retention and to improve the signs of aging. It also has the Palmitoyl Tripeptide-3 to help with the appearance of wrinkles and the antioxidant benefit of Ergothioneine (More info here). Again, if you use treatments such as Retinols, serums, or gels, apply them under your moisturizer.
More suggestions for dry skin will be in later articles. These are just a few suggestions for those with excessively dry skin; it is not an all inclusive list of what can be used or even all inclusive listing of a complete skin care regimen. For example, toners and treatments are important to a health skin care regimen, but some may or may not choose to include them in their regimen as a personal choice. With that said, no one can or should avoid a great cleanser and moisturizer.
For more information about dry skin, you can contact SkinStore.com for a consultation or visit us at www.skinstore.com.
Have you seen the latest shoe styles that are hot off the runway yet? On the high fashion runways of New York, Paris, Milan and London models are togged up in shoes that boast everything from a chunky base with wide strappy elegance crafted by Nicholas Kirkwood or Fendi to the more traditional elegance offered by the beloved Jimmy Choo or Christian Louboutin. The shoes this season are awesome, bold and just simply irresistible! Yes, some are not so cute but you get the idea.
Keeping up with fashion while maintaining our personal style is something that many of us dedicated fashionistas value, but putting aside this season’s hottest trends of over-the-knee or thigh high boots and see through clothing, the pumps are something that even I can do (though Versace has a delicious flat side-zip boot this year, so adorable!). So here is what I did, because runway fashion is ridiculously expensive, I went to the nearest department store and found fantastic alternatives to the high fashion shoes. I bought about 4 different pairs to match my favorite runway styles.
Here is where my dilemma starts; I’m getting to the solution part about making my shoes fit better so bear with me. One pair I bought are the cutest pair of black patent leather pumps very similar to a pair Jimmy Choo Peep-Toe pumps, only mine are not Jimmy Choo…so I paid a fraction of the price. I love these shoes! Only one problem – my heel is slipping out of them and because I got them at an outlet type department store I can’t return them! Bummer! At first I thought to myself “ok, there has to be a solution”. So I went to work talked to one of my co-workers who happens to have small feet and she told me about a product that we sell (we sell thousands of products, I can not keep up with every single one!). I could not believe it, Foot Petals are the best solution for fitting shoes properly when you are in a pinch or if you just have shoes that need some adjusting to fit right!
Ladies, I have been shouting about Foot Petals to anyone who will listen. Do you have any idea how much money this little wonder invention has saved me? I looked in my closet and found so many pairs of shoes that I just don’t wear because I was heavier when I bought them, or my foot size changed or I was retaining water like crazy on the day I went shopping or for whatever other mad reason the shoe’s just didn’t fit anymore (yes I am one who believes my shoe size changes when I lose weight, I swear it’s true).
So what are these miraculous little Foot Petal inventions you may ask? Well they are little discrete inserts that fit neatly to the inside of any shoe to help with sizing, slipping and sliding. They come in all shapes and colors to match or fit any shoe or comfort need. They make Heavenly Heelz in black or buttercup color, these little lovelies not only help with sizing, but the also help with preventing blisters and can be used with mules, boots or pumps. This is the fix that I needed to help keep my heels from slipping out of my shoe. Every woman should have some of these in her beauty tool kit. The Foot Petals manufacturers have also made the Stiletto Survival Kit (available in the same colors); in this kit you get a total of 6 different products. So you not only get the Heavenly Heelz, you get what are called Tip Toes for the ball of your foot, the Strappy Strips for your sling backs, the Killer Kusionz which is a full insole for open toe or sandals, but you also get the Sole Stopperz and the Petal Pouch which is a shoe bag.
So once again, SkinStore.com saves the day for me. I really had never seen these little inserts before so I was rather impressed with them. When my co-worker made me aware of them, she shared with me that she automatically purchases a pair of these Foot Petals each time she purchases shoes. What a fantastic idea! This is a sure fire solution to any shoe dilemma!
If you missed the runways, here is a clip with some highlights…it would be impossible to feature all of the great shoes but there are some Prada, Versace, Louis Vuitton, Dior, etc.
For my fellow shoe enthusiasts, there are many places on the internet for us to retreat from the office banter to gaze quietly and affectionately at the latest shoe styles, trends and must haves. One of my personal favorite retreats is the shoeblog.
Also, if you are looking for information about your feet, the American Podiatric Medical Association, Inc. is a great resource that provides information about how to maintain your foot health. The section Foot Health and Aging has some wonderful information including foot health tips.
Take 10-15 minutes to yourself and fix your skin love! Travel can wreak havoc on our skin. Flying can over dry your skin…baggage claims can over stress your skin…and the ride in the taxi cab…well that is a whole other story. Whether in travel or not, sometimes we need a skin intervention to relieve the daily damage and stress that we put our skin through. Avene Soothing Moisture Mask is preservative-free, hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic. Help restore your skin’s barrier function and replenish the moisture in your thirsty skin. As an additional benefit, Avene Soothing Moisture Mask contains the Avene Thermal Spring Water clinically proven to calm, soothe and soften the skin while restoring skin’s natural balance. Yes, this is the same water used since 1743 in Avene’s Hydrotherapy Center to treat skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis.
Need a fast solution to an embarrassing zit problem? For quick overnight treatment of a rogue pimple, try dabbing a spot of 
So here we are at the beginning of another holiday season, with gift lists in hand, we are off to our favorite retail locations and websites to find all the right gifts for all of the special people in our life! 
So you don’t have time to hit the salon for a touch up on your roots? No worries Oscar Blandi has the solution for you. The Oscar Blandi Colore Pen is perfect for us ladies on the go who may be in need to a hair intervention but just do not have the time to hit the salon. The 
It’s Saturday morning and you have to get the kids to soccer, baseball and ballet functions…time is of the essence right? The 
For individuals with dry skin, changes in the weather or other environmental factors can often lead to the frustrating process of finding a new way to best hydrate your skin. Without immediate and proper attention, you know that your skin can quickly become parched and flaky, or even hypersensitive or painfully tight.
Have you seen the latest shoe styles that are hot off the runway yet? On the high fashion runways of New York, Paris, Milan and London models are togged up in shoes that boast everything from a chunky base with wide strappy elegance crafted by Nicholas Kirkwood or Fendi to the more traditional elegance offered by the beloved Jimmy Choo or Christian Louboutin. The shoes this season are awesome, bold and just simply irresistible! Yes, some are not so cute but you get the idea.
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