Barb's Beauty Tips for Babes Over 60

HOW TO LOOK GOOD IN YOUR UNDERWEAR

2011-10-05T12:32:00.000-04:00

Time was when those communal dressing rooms didn't intimidate me. Not that I ever had a knockout figure; no matter what my age and weight my thighs were chunky and despite all the marathons run and ballet classes taken they could best be described as flabby
However I subscribed to the no body's perfect school of thought and had little trouble disrobing until recently. While makeup, botox and other procedures may rescue our faces, there's no easy fix for an aging body. Skin loses it's firmness; it wrinkles, creases and hangs and broadcasts our real age like nothing else.    Exercise may help a bit, as will self tanner or a body stocking if you're really desperate, but none work magic Our darker skinned sisters fare better because their skin tends to be thicker.

So what's the answer ?A bit of camouflage and enhancement is in order. Devote more time and attention to your underwear purchases especially when it comes to color . Chances are few of us would appear on the beach in a white or flesh colored bathing suit.    (Again darker skinned women can take a pass on this part of the advice). Nothing makes a pale older body look worse than white or nude. Banish those colors from your underwear drawer. More flattering is black, other deep shades or even a print. Take the same amount of time shopping for underwear that you do for the rest of your wardrobe. I would usually whip my way through the lingerie department guessing at size and hoping for flattery. I made lots of mistakes.
Fit is all important and too big is as bad as too small; no droopy drawers or loose bras. Bypass the cotton or any thing else matte and look for fabric with a bit of shine and some percentage of stretch The garment should hug your contours with out squeezing. A flattering underpant style is the high cut brief. It helps flattens the stomach and lengthens the leg. An under wire bra works best for most sizes and gives good support. If your breasts are small look for a slight push up. No matter what style you pick don't forget a hint of lace.
It never occurred to me to have a bra fitted but lately more and more of my friends have taken that step and have been happy with the result. And think of using self tanner (Jergens has several] . Any body, no matter what its shape, looks much better with a glow. Who says you can't look sexy after 60?

2011-06-10T14:59:00.000-04:00

My Husband the Metro-Sexual?
My husband blew in from a windy round of golf looking ruddy cheeked as Santa
"Would you have any moisturizer?" he asked. Does Poland Springs have water? It was only a matter of which to chose. I quickly produced one from Kiehl's and mentioned that they, among many other cosmetic companies are now producing skin care lines especially for men. Always at the ready for any excuse to go cosmetic shopping, I offered to pick him up some. At this point he was busy cruising the TV channels and just nodded.
A few weeks later I left a tube of Keihl's Facial Fuel Moisturizer on the bathroom counter and because I couldn't resist and secretly thought he would use it, a tube of Eye Alert also from their men's collection . He thanked me and then in a gruff voice asked, "What's this eye stuff?"I assured him it was good and would help with puffiness and undereye circles. Maybe it was my imagination but he appeared a bit taken back. I heard no more about these additions to his grooming routine until a couple of months later when he asked for replacements.

Can a man on the far side of 60 be labeled a metro-sexual? My six year old granddaughter who has never heard that word describes her grandfather as a neat and tidy man. When asked what that meant, she said . "You know he wears shirts with collars in all really pretty colors,his hair is never messy and he always smells good."

She's right. Her grandfather is always well groomed but it's more than that. You'll never catch him in shorts and a tee shirt unless he's gardening and he doesn't own a pair of jeans. His closet is more full and colorful than mine and he spends considerable time picking out the perfect tie or after shave lotion. His shoes are always polished and you'll never see him in need of a shave.
Yes, grooming and clothing are definite priorities but he does have his limits. While some men his age may resort to dying their hair or may dye or wax their chest hair in lieu of decorating it with gold chains, such sleaze is not for him. He's comfortably settled for a full head of white hair and his only jewelry is a vintage Rolex and his wedding ring. Still I do envision a future when his collection of skin care products may rival mine and why not?
Definitions of metro-sexual abound on the web and I've been browsing them to see if my husband qualifies. Most say the word refers to a young straight urban man who is concerned about his appearance, enjoys the art of decorating, and sophisticated living.
OK so he's not young but I've yet been left to decorate any living space on my own without significant input and a lot of arguing from him. And although I may carry on about them initially, his choices in general, are successful. He knows his way around the kitchen too and has a full repertoire of dishes that he enjoys making. My favorite definition of a metro sexual says that this person also makes great cocktails. No doubt about that . My husband has a stellar reputation as a maker of the perfect martini and his daughters would testify that he also whips up a powerful cosmo.
So call him neat and tidy or metro-sexual. Either way I'm glad he's mine and I'll drink to that.

Cheers, Barb

BEAT COSMETIC COMPANIES AT THEIR OWN GAME

2011-05-28T10:28:00.000-04:00

Bobbie Brown does it. So does Benefit,Nars and a host of others. What I'm talking about are those two in one products a cream formula color stick marketed to be used on lips and cheeks. I'm all for it. There's nothing like paring down the amount of cosmetics you tote around to make you feel like a natural beauty. However there's but no need to rush to Sephora to add another product to an already burgeoning collection. We already have multiple use products tumbling out of our makeup drawers and bags. It's just a matter of using a little creativity
A lipstick can easily duplicate as a blush, in fact many makeup artists have long used it as such. The trick in to have well moisturized skin at the site of application. It's also vital to blend well.
Concealer is probably your most versatile product. Nix the eyeshadow base the makeup consultants will tell you is a must; concealer applied with a brush works just as well. And here's a confession: I substitute concealer for eyeshadow itself on a regular basis. When used along with eyeliner and mascara, it gives a natural look that works well for daytime.
The possibilities for double uses are endless. When my daughter was in college she made her own tinted moisturizer be mixing a small amount of foundation with moisturizer. And speaking of moisturizer never ever discard or give it away. what wrecks havoc with your face will be heaven for your feet!
Cheers,
Barb

Put Away That Hand Lotion!

2011-05-10T11:11:00.000-04:00

As usual I wasn't paying attention as I squeezed some sunblock out of the tube. I had already generously coated my face and messaged some over my throat but my hands were still covered with the stuff.
I was trying a new one from Bath and Body Works, True Blue Spa. The first listed active ingredient is Avobenzone which is proven to protect against those dreaded UVA rays, the ones responsible for aging . At $12. for six ounces I didn't want to waste the remainder of the lotion and so rubbed it on the backs of my hands
Those hands haven't been looking so good lately despite my being more diligent about moisturizing them. I even went so far as to invest in creams and lotions just for that body part instead of using what ever I had.
About an hour later as I was typing, I glanced down at my hands. They didn't have their usual dried out, dull look. The skin even looked a bit thicker and much smoother than it had in quite awhile.
All and all it's a good purchase, a multi purpose product that's both enhancing, protecting and water-proof
Give it a try.
Cheers,
Barb

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A NEW MOISTURIZER..........

2011-03-26T14:43:00.006-04:00

A reader messaged me recently saying she was looking for a new moisturizer. She wasn't looking for a miracle transformation just something that would be well absorbed, moisturize her skin,and keep it looking its best. She also hoped the product wouldn't cost a fortune
Well she got me at the right time because I've been doing a bit of moisturizer research myself. After years of using Cliniques, Super Defence Moisturizer I decided it was time for a different one Not that I was displeased with my old choice. I liked the way it was absorbed , loved the glow in gave my skin and the way it felt. However it contained oxybenzone as one of it primary ingredients which made the red spots ever lurking just beneath the skin on my left cheek rise to the surface and become scaly. (See prior post What the Dermatologist said for the entire story) So it was farewell to Super Defence and its glow because I still believe it was the oxybenzone that supplied it
I took up my search for a replacement using my usual tactics of trying out various samples at department store cosmetic counters and Sephora Most were over $40.and not that all impressive. I'm also trying to cut down on my beauty product spending and decided to hit the mass market stores.
My sister-in-law had mentioned how much she liked Boots No7 products The line comes from Great Britain and is carried by Target After losing my self among their vast array of Boots products I purchased their Advanced Hydration Day Cream ($14.99 ) and decided to give it a try.
Bingo! It went on smoothly, had a rich creamy texture and was nicely absorbed. The best part was that it kept me skin feeling moisturized all day both with and without makeup and I didn't get that tight dry feeling mid afternoon which as been a complaint of mine with some of the other drug store moisturizers. Unlike most other mass market store lines, Boots does very little advertising which of course keeps the price down. Stay tuned . Ill be checking out other products from them.
Cheers,
Barb
PS Serums are the latest entry on the path to perfect skin. I've yet to try them but would love to hear from anyone who has

HOW TO LOOK GREAT IN A DRESS

2010-09-24T09:48:00.000-04:00

Dresses made a major resurgence a few seasons back and being a fan of one step dressing I welcomed their return. However they've been a disappointment. They look great on the rack and I grab armfuls to try on, only to find that when I do their attractiveness vanishes. They just hang and are not at all flattering. Many friends my age voice the same opinion and it got me to thinking.

Back in the nineties and late eighties, dresses were the mainstay of my wardrobe and I recall no problem with the fit. So what's different? As I stood in the dressing room fussing with a dress tugging at the hem, lifting it at the shoulder, and tying the belt in different places, I suddenly knew; it needed shoulder pads. I'm not talking those mammoth Dynasty ones here just a moderate pad that helps give a garment shape and affects the way it fits and hangs. As we grow older most of us, despite time spent at the gym and maintaining a constant weight still tend to get a bit round shouldered which can throw our bodies out of proportion. A shoulder pad can work wonders. Why do you think they never banished them from men's wear?

WHAT THE DERMOTOIGIST SAID

2010-07-20T14:31:00.001-04:00

After peering at my rough red scaly (and ugly) patches through the glass that appears attached to his eye, my dermatologist pronounced then all pre- cancerous. One was more suspicious looking than the others so he biopsied it and said that he would scrape the rest at my next appointment.
As soon as I heard pre cancerous I was ready with my question. Could the problem possibly be caused by oxybenzone? He shook his head no almost before I got the word out. I told what I had read but he reiterated that it wasn't the cause. I then told him how many products I used that contained the drug but he stuck to his guns and at that point I detected a slight note of impatience.
A few days later he called to say that the one he had deemed suspicious was not malignant but rather odd. He'd scrape it with the rest.
I've decided to use what ever products I have that contain Oxybenzone but not to buy any more containing it in the future. What about you?
Cheers,
Barb

COULD YOUR SUNSCREEN CAUSE SKIN CANCER?

2010-06-29T09:56:00.002-04:00

I'm not an alarmist and I did careful research research before I even considered writing the above headline. But if your sunscreen or sunblock contains Oxybenzone the answer to the question posed is a resounding yes.
In 2009, The Environmental Working Group, a public nonprofit health and environmental research and advocacy organization based in Washington DC, studied almost 1000 brand name sunscreens Three in five did not adequately protect skin from the sun or contained harmful chemicals Among the most harmful is Oxybenzone. It absorbs ultraviolet light but can also be absorbed through the skin. Oxybenzone is allowed in sunscreens but recent research has linked it to allergies, hormone disruption and cell damage that can lead to skin cancer. The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention that did the study in 2008 showed that 97% of the American it tested were contaminated with Oxybenzone.
So why is it still in use? Unfortunately the Federal Drug and Food Administration which regulates sunscreen safety has not updated mandatory sunscreen standards in more that 30 years.
The news sent me scurrying to my stockpile of sunscreens. Sure enough there it was listed as the fifth ingredient on Coppertone Ultra Guard. Then on a whim I checked my favorite moisturizer, which I've been using regularly for the past three years, Clinique superdefense Spf 25. Oxybenzone was there too, only this time it headed the list. I also found it in Chanel Precision Hydramax active teinte.

I have four small dry red spots on my cheek. I've had them for months and no matter what I try nothing works on them . Now I'm wondering if they could be the result of Oxybenzone. I've made an appointment with my dermatologist

Stay tuned.
Cheers,
Barb

HAVE YOU TRIED OLAY'S PROFESSIONAL PRO X?

2010-06-10T14:58:00.000-04:00

It seems as if the Olay brand been around forever. I recall that for years it was represented by one product, Oil of Olay. It graced the shelves of drug store and mass marketers and was used mostly by the no nonsense beauty consumer. Those who knew they needed something to smooth on their faces but weren't too fussy, just so long as the price was right. I tried it once when I was on a fugal kick but didn't like it or its scent.
A decade or so ago they raised their profile by expanding their product line along with their advertising. Now the shelves overflow with confusing choices. There's Olay Total Effects, Olay Definity and Regenerest. Each line promises something slightly different than the others. I found the ad copy tiring to read and also had difficulty deciding whether my main problem was lack of definition, skin clarity or maybe my dysfunctional moisture barrier. Then there was the decision concerning the delivery system. Would I best be helped by a cream or a serum?
Since when did skincare get so complicated? Olay's stock really rose when Good Housekeeping declared that their Regenerist Micro Sculpting Cream provided results comparable to a $3oo product. I would have invested in a jar but I was unable to find one amid all their other offerings. This is a time when a sales consultant would be helpful.
However OLAY at that point got carried away and not too long ago came out with New Olay Professional Pro X It touts a new anti-aging breakthrough that sounds familiar and guarantees younger looking skin in 28 days. The ad show a prescription like symbol and the product is said to have been developed by a team of dermatologists. Their names are listed in a full page ad in the New York Times. I guess we are to assume this latest product is similar to botox or collegen however there is a very small disclaimer saying that results are not the same as a surgical procedure.What it is, is costly at $69.00 for a starter kit of three of the line's six products.
Olay is now edging up in price toward the department store brands minus the service and advice and I can't imagine what their rationale is. I've not tried it but would be very interested to hear from anyone who has.

HELP FOR PUFFY EYES AND DARK CIRCLES

2010-06-09T11:22:00.000-04:00

I found out that even if you're had your lower lids done as I did a while back you still have to be on the alert . I thought I had been keeping close watch but one day two puffs magically appeared at the corners of my eyes. No matter what their cause;lack of sleep, allergies or too much of the grape, they called for action. The eye cream I diligently messaged them with had little effect .

That's why I was impressed when I saw a new product, Garner Nutritioniste Skin Renew Anti Puff Eye Roller.I read the ingredients, looked at the$13.99 price tag but was skeptical and decided I didn't want to add it to my already burgeoning collection. Then in another store,while shopping for a new mascara, I saw the same product packaged with a free full size mascara for the same price and I couldn't resist.

Well said mascara was a bust. The wand is so pliable that there's no just snapping it back into the case. It takes a few tries before it goes in without bending. The Roller however is great. It's cool and soothing and goes on quickly dispensing a measured amount of the product. They suggest you roll it back and forth from the inner to the outer corner twice morning and night. It contains caffeine to fight the puffiness and discolorations and a form of VitaminB.I've been using it for a month now and those puffs and discolorations are things of the past.

THE SECRET TO BRIGHTER EYES

2009-04-24T12:49:00.011-04:00

Well at last I've found them. For the past few years I've been intrigued by the mention in numerous articles of ROHTO eyedrops. Top models are quoted as saying that they are the secret to their bright eyed look. The drops can be counted on to do the trick no matter how they partied the night before. Just a couple of squirts make eyes whiter and brighter.
I have sensitive eyes, the kind that tend to be red around the rim whether I've partied or not. As I've gotten older they've gotten drier and become even more sensitive. They look like my mother's. She suffered from the same problem and was a big consumer of Visine
I scoured the shelves of several drug stores looking for them to no avail. A stop at Sephora was met with a horrified "We wouldn't sell anything that you actually put in your eyes." Further research found that ROHTO eye drops were manufactured in Japan and not available in the US. I stopped looking
Then one day when I was sorting out the available eye drops at my local pharmacy there they were, a standout in an attractive oval acrylic and green container. 5$ on the counter and they were mine.
And yes they do work. My eyes feel refreshed, they look clear, the whites a blue white with nary a speck of red. "Turn around bright eyes"

Cheers,
Barb

WHAT TO TAKE TO FLORIDA

2009-04-19T10:55:00.003-04:00

I 've been on hiatus for a while but now I'm back and intend to be posting weekly.
A reader wrote to ask what tips I may have to help spiff up her look for a Florida vacation without spending a bundle.
Look no further than your nearest Target! First head for the sun care department and pick up a sunblock made for babies. It works well on our delicate skin too and you can be sure it won't sting eyes or irritate.
Next head for accessories. They have a great selection of broad brimmed straw hats that will give even more protection besides giving you a touch of elan. If you don't need prescription glasses pick up a pair of over sized sun glasses. Instant glamor with out a hint of makeup. Why do you think celebrities go for this look.?You may want to pick up one of their cloth hobo style beach bags to sling over your shoulder while you're there. They are roomy, lightweight, stylish and inexpensive.
Next stop jewelery. What you're looking for is a chunky turquoise necklace in a short to medium length. It can dress up a tee shirt, look great peeking out from the collar of a white shirt, maybe worn open with a cami underneath. It also dresses up a plain black shift. If you only buy one thing this summer this should be it. Just make sure it isn't too delicate. At our age bold jewelry looks great and makes a statement You'll be surprised at how many colors this shade can work with and how stylish you'll look,
Final stop, cosmetics. Revlon Renewist is still my favorite lipstick, It's moisturizing , gives a little gloss and stays on better thn most. Coral Fixation is a great color for those warm climates
Neutrogena has a new automatic eye pencil that goes on smoothly and lasts. Try it in pewter. It's less harsh than black and in flattering to all eye colors. If you're in a rush just underline the lower lid from the corner to the mid eye point. You'd be surprised how that can define the eye.

For mascara try CoverGirl's LASHBLAST Get the waterproof one even if you're planning on staying land locked and you won't have to worry about smudges.
That's it. Just remember to stand up straight,lift from the rib cage and smile!

GET A CONCEALER THAT REALY WORKS!

2009-02-23T15:25:00.015-05:00

My cache' of concealers is considerable. Chanel shares space with. Maybelline, CoverGirl and others. None provide that flawless look I'm seeking. I either appear washed out, have that dreaded raccoon look, or my under eye shadows are still in evidence. My skin is fair and most cosmetic advisers take one quick look and present me with their lightest shade.
Not too long ago I finally hit on the right color. Wandering through Sephora, I found a concealer that had a great consistency and good coverage.(Amazing Concealer) They were out of the light shades so on a whim, because it was one of those things that I just had to have, I tried the medium. Bingo! There was great coverage without the hint of a shadow and there was a slight touch of pink that added instant brightness. I had found that elusive FLAWLESS!

Too many of us pick a shade lighter than our foundation or skin when the answer actually is something just a bit darker that covers what we're looking to cover. I recently read that Bobbie Brown recommends brushing a bit of bronzer over the undereye area to warm it up before applying concealer. I haven't tried it but I've sworn off those the paler shades for good.
Amazing Concealer is hard to find and expensive although it does last for about a year. A less costly alternative is L'Oreal Visable Lift Eye. It's not as thick as Amazing Concealer but I've used the medium( 178 )shade with good results.

One Minute Makeup

2008-11-22T11:20:00.001-05:00

Okay I admit I may be vain but barefaced isn't my best look and it's amazing what a big difference just a little bit of makeup makes. Now I've come up with a quick way to avoid being caught with a naked face that I'd like to share with kindred souls. Just four products; I keep mine in a small see through, easy to grab makeup case and one minute of time and we're good to face the world.
1. Stick of cream concealer. ( I use Cover Girl for this purpose) apply under eyes, on eyelids and on any really noticeable discolorations. Blend.
2 A charcoal gray pencil eyeliner. (I like Maybelline's automatic pencil) Starting from the outer corner of the lower lid draw a line along the lash line stopping just after mid eye.
3. Black or dark brown mascara Apply a coat of mascara to top lashes only
4.A creamy lipstick I like Revlon Renewist in Coral Fixation it really brightens the face works well for most complexions. Then put a large dot of that same lipstick on your the outer edge of your cheekbones and blend well.
I timed this and it took me a few seconds under a minute. I'm known to be slow so you may do even better.
Cheers,
Barb

Barb's Best Lipstick Buys

2008-11-02T10:30:00.002-05:00

There's good news for those of us looking for ways to tighten our economic seatbelt. When it comes to slashing your beauty budget there's no need to look further than your drugstore or mass market retailer.(read Walmart)
In recent years the quality gap between department store brands and those of the mass marketers has narrowed considerably. Where you will find a major difference is in packaging and the the absence of the over eager and pushy beauty consultant. While it's nice to flash a fancy lipstick case or pressed powder compact it's even better to save upwards of $15. As for the beauty consultant, I've already done the leg work.
When I need a quick beauty fix I've long headed for the drug store cosmetic aisle. Those of you who follow my blog know that I've found plenty of bargains there among them two lipsticks that have my Repeat Purchase Seal Of Approval.

Revlon RenewestLipcolor is one . Its Pro-Collagen Moisture Care claims to instantly boost moisture by 80% while reducing the appearance of fine lines. It glides on, stays on longer than most and leaves your lips noticeably moist and smooth with just a hint of gloss. It also contains an SPF 0f 15 and comes in 24 shades. I love Raspberry Rush so much that I've just purchased my third tube. It's only downside is the case which is clear plastic and would never be mistaken for a high end brand. At under $9, just let your gorgeous lips speak for themselves.

Rimmel London also has a winner in their Lasting Finish Intense Wear Lipstick, The colors here, 30 of them, are more intense but they too are soft, smooth and feel good on your lips. They claim the color is locked in for up to 8 hours. I'd say a bit less but it did pass my two hour ballet class litmus test. At under $5 it's a beauty bargain! The color selection is great and the case passable!
Cheers,
Barb

HELP FOR STRESSED SKIN

2008-10-22T17:33:00.000-04:00

A while back a friend rhapsodized about the powers of a Nivea Creamy Oil (no longer in their product line) and of course I had to try it. About a half hour after rubbing it into my skin, I stood before my husband with arms and decollete smooth,glowing and craving a compliment. He reached out, touched me and quickly pulled his hand away. "What's that sticky stuff?"

That was it for me even though my dermatologist had advised that my severe dry skin would best be remedied with a combination of oil and lotion. It was also why I was a bit hesitant to try Dove's newest entry in the moisturizer market. DOVE CREAM OIL.Blame it on the chill in the air or the dryness in the house but in fall my skin yearns for more moisture. Despite fastidious use of sunblock summer's stronger rays still have a way of sneaking in and leaving their imprint on skin. Mine seems dryer and rougher and so I decided to give Dove a try.
My head still wrapped in a towel I applied it right after showering. It has a silky texture, smoother and thinner than Nivea's. By time I shook out and combed my hair it was completely absorbed and I was even able to pull on my ballet tights and leotard with out thinking they were being moisturized too! Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Cheers,
Barb

ABSOLUTE BEST BEAUTY BUY

2008-08-14T09:49:00.004-04:00

I've been spending the summer in a place that knows not of Sephora or Saks and Walmart has become the sole source of my beauty fix. I've been pleasantly surprised by the extraordinary selection and the sometimes incredible buys I've found there.
They must have some sort of arrangement with mass market cosmetic manufacturers to bundle products together and offer them as specials. Just yesterday I found my current favorite mascara, Cover Girl's Lash Blast in very black packaged with their Perfect Point Plus Self Sharpening Eye Pencil,(charcoal and Eye Enhancers Shadow in french vanilla.
All items are full sized and the package comes in different color combos.
I usually pay around $7.00 for the mascara alone! The package was $9.99.
I may just have to add Walmart to my list of cosmetic sources year round!

BEWARE THAT SPF!

2008-07-19T08:59:00.000-04:00

Why? Because it's misleading. For years I've been tracking those numbers, secretly applauding as they rose from a mere 2 on Coppertone back in the 1970's to a whopping 75 on a recent purchase of Neutorgena. I felt virtuous and smart when I purchased a host of different moisturizers over the years both for my face and body with an SPF of 15 or higher. Not only was I moisturizing my paper dry skin,I was protecting it too and saving time in the process.
Unfortunately I was wrong. SPF refers to Sun Protection Index. It's number indicates the amount of time you can stay in the sun after applying the product without burning . It protects only against the UVB rays that cause sunburn but does not protect against the UVA rays that penetrate deep into the skin and cause premature aging and skin cancer. You need what is known as a broad spectrum sunscreen, one that states that it protects against UVA andUVB rays. Most often that protection is afforded by either by trademarked combinations such as Parasol, Helioplex or Mexoryl or ingredients such as Zinc Oxcide,Avobenzone, Homosalate or Octisalate. Read those labels before you purchase.
Cheers, Barb

A SHOE WITH THE GYM BUILT-IN??

2008-07-07T18:01:00.008-04:00

FitFlops are billed as a flip flop with a gym built in. I figured it was just one more advertising ploy but the $49.00 price tag for what appeared to be a regular flipflop made me do a bit of investigating.
Manufactured in the UK the shoe was developed by biomechanists at the Centre For Human Performance at London's South Bank University. They claim the shoe improves core muscle strength, absorbs shock on feet, knees, and back along with strengthening and toning muscles in the feet, legs, stomach, and buttocks.
Well that was enough for me. Core strength is key for success in ballet and mine is still not up to speed. Those FitFlops had my name on them except that they were completely sold out at my local branch of Macy's. Want morphed in to need and so trying not to think about the gas involved,I drove to the next nearest department store where I found them although not in the silver or bronze that I had in mind.
The FitFlop contains a unique softer mid sole, engineered to recreate the gait of barefoot walking but with a built in microwobbleboard workout enhancing effect. Most important, I found them to unbelievably comfortable. After years of running and ballet my feet have been screaming for relief. I was one step away from the podiatrist's office after suffering for the past year with a self diagnosed Morton's Neuroma and the beginning of a bunion on my big toe. In search of comfort I was changing shoes on the average of five times a day. I decided to test the FitFlop by wearing them around the house at first. They felt good, so much so that I forgot to change to my sneakers when I took the dog out for a walk and didn't even realize it until after I had all but sprinted up a steep hill. After a half hour walk I didn't feel the need to kick them off when I returned home but I did read the rest of the promotional material which among other things promised increased speed of movement and a faster and more energy expending walk.
Well that explained my quick assent up the hill. My excitement over this shoe is mounting. Now if only they help strengthen my core, there may just be a double pirouette in my future! Stay tuned.
Cheers, Barb

TIPS FOR THINNING HAIR

2008-06-18T09:52:00.010-04:00

As my friend Lyn tells it she was crouched on the floor of the shower stall, naked save for reading glasses, and counting her hairs that were caught in the drain. Normal hair loss is anywhere from 50 to 100 strands per day and in the United States more than 30 million women experience some accelerated hair loss as they age.
According to Marcy Holmes,a Nurse Practitioner and certified menopause technician, hair loss in women is caused by a multitude of factors from stress, genetics and hormone imbalance to drugs, thyroid system disorder and nutritional deficiencies(especially iron or vitamin A). Hair loss caused by medical conditions or stress is often treatable and reversible. The bad news for the rest of us is that hair loss is a normal part of the aging process and heredity.
Hair is an intrinsic part of our feminine identity and it's departure, even in women who are not vain, can be traumatic. However there are a multitude of ways to cope with thinning hair aside from wigs, extensions and Rogaine.
1. Go Shorter I've been a fan of long hair ever since reading Rapunzel and for years, with just a few unhappy detours, I kept it somewhere between chin and shoulder even when that was no longer my most flattering length. However recently and reluctantly I've gone a bit shorter but not so short that I can't pull it back for ballet.
With thinning hair a short(chin length or above) cut works best but you don't want to go too short and risk looking scalped. Also very short hair tends to put more focus on your face which may not be what you want to do. Bangs either straight down or side swept can help soften the look while disguising a receding hairline
2. Layer it Short or long layers can cover a multitude of sins, but if the the hairdresser brandishes a razor, run. You want blunt cut layers that will give the illusion of thickness. And remember a good haircut is worth what ever it costs
3. Color it I know that many women are nurturing their gray locks but permanent or semi permanent color thickens the hair shaft and adds body.
4. Forget the daily shampoo. Go easy on the washing. According to WedMD, fine hair gets dirty faster and people with fine textured hair need to shampoo more frequently, even though fine hair breaks more easily. Avoid this catch 22 by using dry shampoo in between washings. The powder will also add a bit of thickness and body.
5. Use a volumizing shampoo, conditioner, and mousse.
6. Avoid putting high heat directly onto hair. Blow drying should not be a problem but flat irons and curling irons can cause damage and breakage. Also avoid volume building products containing paraffin, which is beeswax. It can build up and result in hair breakage
7. Tease - just a little. Don't think beehive or Dynasty or any of the other big hair horrors. Just gently back comb the underneath hair along the part and then smooth over with the top hair and spray very lightly. This method which I learned from my hairdresser, gives the appearance of volume and a flattering lift.
8. Flip your head upside down, give it a shake, brush it, spray lightly, let it dry for a minute and then flip it back.
9. My instant look thicker trick- Tuck your hair behind your ears and secure with a bobby pin on either side,hidden underneath. Add bold earrings and your good to go.
Cheers,
Barb

BEST SELF TANNER

2008-06-08T11:41:00.000-04:00

This year I decided to ignore the seasonal deluge of self-tanning products. I'd been a diehard user since the days of QT. back in the sixties. Being just one of the multitudes who looks better with a tan I'd sought that look with practically every product that came on the market.
Last year I found that I was spending too much time and money applying cream lotions and sprays in an effort to achieve that bronze glow. More often than not the results were streaky or artificial looking. Not to mention that tan itself was receiving a lot of bad press.
Tan has never been popular in the ballet studio where I spend a lot of time. Most dancers have skin that appears not to have seen the light of day. I decided this year to up my ballerina wattage and join them. No matter that my skin has enjoyed too many summers in the sun and so is spotted and discolored, I was still aiming for alabaster.
Then Total Beauty.Com which is just about the most comprehensive beauty site on the web sent me L'OREAL SUBLIME BRONZE PERFECT AIRBRUSH SELF-TANNING MIST. Right away it caught my attention with it's promise of ultra even no rub quick-dry application. It so happens that it arrived on the warmest day of the season, the day I had actually gotten out my shorts and was feeling a bit depressed that my legs didn't look as good as one would have expected after having spent so many hours in the ballet studio. There were all those sun spots and blue etchings and I'll spare you the rest.
I headed for the bathroom where I shaved and moisturized my legs . It is suggested that you cleanse and exfoliate using Sublime Bronze Sunless scrub but that's the sort of suggestion I usually ignore. I see it as a ploy to get you to invest in a second product. Any way I'm the sort that can't wait so I sprayed away following the directions to spray the mist slowly and continuously at arms length. I was taken back at how quickly I was able to apply it(less than five minutes and how rapidly it dried. Another five minutes and I was able to get dressed!. I couldn't wait to see how it dried but I got busy with one thing of another.
A few hours later I was surprised when I looked down and saw that my legs had indeed turned a nice golden tan and their various imperfections were much less noticeable even when I checked with my reading glasses on. The product smells very faintly of self tanner (You know the scent) but it's hands down better than any other I have ever tried. So much so that I'm seriously rethinking alabaster.
Cheers, Barb

Michelle Obama's Style Trick

2008-06-05T09:45:00.006-04:00

Michelle Obama appeared Tuesday night looking elegant and comfortable in a simple purple silk jersey dress (I'm guessing about the fabric) I don't know who her stylist is or even if she has one but it was the perfect choice for her curvaceous body. Accessorized with a wide black belt it was flattering and sexy with out being clingy.
I know from experience that a woman with an hourglass figure runs the risk of looking broad in the hips in such a dress. The only way to avoid that pitfall is simple, but not widely known. I stumbled upon the solution after spending an inordinate amount of time in front of the mirror performing all sort of contortions. The trick is to raise the waistline of the dress an inch or so above the natural waistline so that the fabric flows over the hips rather than jutting straight out, which emphasizes them. In Michelle's case the dress was belted just a bit above her natural waistline defining it.
She looked great, a woman confident in her body and in her dress. I'll be watching her wardrobe choices closely.

Worst Beauty Bargain

2008-05-13T09:28:00.012-04:00

Most Sunday mornings you'll find me and my youngest son David in Target. It's the perfect destination for us. The roomy aisles easily accommodate his wheelchair and his CCI dog, Ian. The wide array of products provide much to interest us both although I must admit my attention tends to sag when he insists we linger in the tool department more than a few minutes. He feels the same way about the makeup section, which is why I picked up what I considered an incredible bargain rather quickly.
I was checking out the Boot's07 display. I've never used their products but had heard good things about them. What caught my attention was a a full size eyeliner and mascara packaged together for $6.99. It was a no brainer. I dropped it into the almost full basket that David balances on his lap and headed for the checkout. I was already feeling that nice surge of anticipation that surfaces before trying a new product.
Boot's Amazing Eyes Pencil is the usual kind, point on one end, smudger on the other. It's described as long wearing and silky smooth. It went on smoothly without any tugging. However when I checked it out I realized it hadn't imparted much color. I applied it again pressing a bit harder and found that it did indeed tug. The mascara went on easily with out clumping and defined my lashes nicely. However in ballet class, my friend Maxine informed me I had a black smudge on my eye lid. I gave it another try the next day and this time I checked in the rear view mirror before I got out of the car for class. There it was again; a black smudge by the outer corner of my eye. Good I saved the receipt!
Cheers,
Barb

SEXY AFTER 60?

2008-05-08T10:14:00.007-04:00

I don't know about you but I've had a hard time finding clothes lately. The stores are chock full of sleeveless flowing styles that warrant I appraise my arms with a more critical eye. Empire waists remind me of all those months spent pregnant and the cinched waist with a full skirt has a retro look better suited to my granddaughter. So what' s a woman over 60 to do? Don't laugh but I've even given fleeting thought to the sari that Indian women, no matter what their age, wear with such elegance.
I want elegance but with an edge that I'll not find at Ellen Tracy, Ann Klein and the rest of the group aimed at my demographic. It looks as if I'm out of luck for summer but fall is another story. Coutorture.com just showed a photo shoot of Diane Von Furstenberg's fall collection. She knows what we want and she designs clothes that are sexy in understated elegant way. Her clothes are body conscious , but not clingy, the colors vibrant but not garish. She knows what flatters a woman's body regardless of size. One trick she shows repeatedly is a cardigan or jacket open but belted over a floaty dress, skirt or relaxed pants The belts she uses are about one half inch wide and work whether you want to show off or just define your waist. I picked up a terrific copy of the gold one in Filene's just the other day. Even if you can't afford the clothes, you can try to replicate this flattering look. Log on to Coutorture and see what I mean.

BEFORE YOU PURCHASE A STEM CELL CREAM LOG ON TO BOOMERGIRL.COM

2008-05-05T14:29:00.003-04:00

Stem cell technology is the new holy grail of anti aging face creams but before you plunk down your money log on to BoomerGirl.com and get the inside scoop. Today's article, a reprint from the Los Angeles Times is a real eye opener.
There's also a wealth of other information on that site that you won't find elsewhere.

Cheers, Barb

Does Olay Filling and Sealing WrinkleTreatment Work?

2008-05-03T10:32:00.003-04:00

The ad is provocative. Olay Regenerist Filling and Sealing Treatmentt promises to reduce the appearance of those spikes fanning from the corners of our eyes and help fill in those annoying lines between the nose and mouth. I was skeptical, especially when I read the small print which said not the equivalent of a surgical procedure.
Olay was announcing right up front, don't even think it's Botox as opposed to another vendor who used the teaser Better Than Botox? Fool that I was, I actually put down $100 and purchased that product a few years back and returned it a few weeks later. However Olay has a good reputation and the outlay was only$17. at Rite Aid, so I decided to try it.

The paste like product comes in a narrow tube with a small tip on the end which is used as the applicator. The instructions say to dot a small amount onto the wrinkle prone area There was a time not too long ago when that would have meant my entire face but thanks to the Active FX laser, that's no longer the so. You then smooth the dots into a fine layer to fill the wrinkle. It works in two ways first it penetrates into the wrinkle surface to reduce the appearance of wrinkle depth and length; then at the surface it creates what they call a micro bonding network???that seals in moisturizer to regenerate the skin's appearance and diminish the look of fine lines and wrinkles.

And you know what ?It works! You won't see a dramatic difference but the look of lines and wrinkles actually are diminished. I looked carefully in all different types of light using a magnifying mirror. The lines above my lips and between my eyebrows that I had filled in were softer and less noticeable.
They do advise that you pay special attention when applying makeup over the filler-sealer so as not to disturb the treated areas. I'm going to keep this product. I can't imagine using it everyday but for a special occasion it will be nice to have on hand!

Cheers,
Barb

BARB'S BEAUTY BUY OF THE WEEK

2008-04-24T09:30:00.008-04:00

You are probably expecting an inexpensive but great product that can erase all the imperfections that keep us from looking like the models in those glossy ads. Sorry to disappoint but what this Best Buy will do is prevent future damage .Yes, I'm talking about sun block, a product I all but bathed in last summer and spent quite a bit a money on in the process.

The other day on a routine trip to Costco,while trying to restrain myself from buying numerous things I really didn't need, I spied Neutrogena Dry-Touch Sunblock. It has an SPF of 55 which is usually hard to find. Neutrogena, in it's various forms is the one sunblock recommended by every dermatologist I've ever consulted(except for those hawking their own products) .

UltraSheer Dry Touch contains Helioplex, a combination of avobenzone,homosalte and other ingredients that block those aging UVA rays, the ones responsible for wrinkles, twice as long as any other product on the market. Most sunblocks stop working after two hours. The product is quickly absorbed and unlike other heavy duty sunblocks I've tried, leaves no residue. It's waterproof, sweatproof and resists rub off. $13.99 buys two 3.fl ounce tubes which is packaged along with a lip moisturizer. Stock Up!

Which Organic Makeup Has The ECOCERT Seal? ?

2008-04-21T11:45:00.009-04:00

If you answered Organic wear, the new green line by Physicians Formula , you're right. It's the first US organic makeup to receive the ECOCERT seal, an internationally recognized natural and organic certification. Organic wear products are 100% free of harsh chemicals, synthetic preservatives, parabens, GMO'S, synthetic colors, and fragrances. They are also 100% cruelty free making it the first 100% natural certified organic cosmetic color line
In case your not familiar with Physicians Formula, they are a drug store line that's been on the market for about ten years. They caught my eye a few years ago when I noticed they had color correcting concealers, both green and yellow that are routinely used by makeup artists but are usually found only in high end make up lines. They were also among the first to come out with a bronzer that contained a swirl of different shades, another product that initially could be found only in higher priced lines.
Anyway their Organic wear all of which is packaged in biodegradable containers, follows suit. All contain such ingredients as soy and jajoba bean oil The collection consists of a liquid bronzer,tinted moisturizer, pressed powder, loose powder and two color correcting concealers. The pressed powder, which comes in eight shades, is housed in a attractive compact that is 93% plastic free and boasts a natural goat hair brush. Easy on the environment and your wallet, all are priced under $15. Happy Earth Day!
Cheers, Barb

Butter Them Up!

2008-04-14T17:50:00.002-04:00

My mother couldn't be described as frugal but one thing she never ever wasted was moisturizer. If the facial cream she purchased failed to work on her face she didn't consider returning or giving it away. Instead she used it on her legs which were perpetually dry. (This was back in the 1950's when few women used moisturizer below their neck) I've inherited those lizard limbs and am game to try any new product that may smooth away those scales.
There's been a lot of buzz about the benefits of shea butter. I tried it once in its pure form (beyond thick, almost solid) but found it difficult to apply over a large area. Now there are tons of products containing it. The key is finding one that lists it among the the first three ingredients. SEPHORA has come out with a cream that does just that. BODY beurre fondant super supreme body butter is as creamy and easy to spread as whipped butter. It's easily absorbed and has a pleasant scent. Many moisturizers I've tried don't have much staying power. Not so with this product. I applied it at night after showering and my skin still felt extra smooth and well moisturized in the morning. No scales in sight!

ORGASM............Again

2008-04-03T16:09:00.008-04:00

A few years back NARS saw their sales sky rocket when they came out with a blush that some marketing genius named Orgasm. It immediately drew women's attention to a nice peachy shade that many of us may have been apt to overlook. In addition this new shade was billed as one that looked good on every skin tone .
I was among the first to arrive at the NARS counter. I liked this blush so much that it became one of my few repeat purchases. When I found it out of stock at Barney's the sales person recommended a new shade, Deep Throat which I guess the over- seers at Nars hoped would ride to success on Orgasm's coattails. It's a bit more pink, which is fine but it couldn't replace its predecessor for me.
Now Orgasm is out in a new version; a stick cream form. It is a perfect fit for their multiples line of products that can be used on cheeks, lips and eyes and of course I had to try it. I wanted to love it because having dry skin I prefer a cream blush and three products in one helps cut down on how many I tote around.
The product glided on my cheeks very easily and blended well. However the consistency is light and quite sheer and required quite a bit of layering in order to achieve the right shade. It worked better on my lips but again didn't add much color. Peach has never been a good shade for my eyes and this was no exception.
Looks as if I'll be purchasing the original Orgasm.....again.
Cheers, Barb

FOUND! The PRODUCT I'VE BEEN SEARCHING FOR

2008-03-30T11:41:00.000-04:00

It hard to believe that one could scour drugstore and high end beauty counters, not to mention Sephora and still be unable to find a finely milled pink powder that could be applied with a brush as a finishing touch after makeup.
Only pink, not coral, bronze or red gives that color that at a young age appears naturally. It lights up the face and brings it alive like nothing else, save vigorous exercise or sex can. In her later years my mother achieved it by combining three products together (don't ask). I wanted the same result from one.
I began to feel like an aging Goldilocks looking for that perfect porridge. At Este Lauder I discovered a bright pink pressed powder that looked great in the store but was far too matte when I tried it at home. Walking past the Bare Minerals display I stopped short when I spied a container of pale pink loose powder along side of which was a large fluffy brush. Certain that I
had found what I was looking for,I gave it a try only to find the result so sparkly that I felt ready to step out on the stage.
Then like a fairy godmother, Benefit appeared with a new product thrrrob which they bill as a"turned on" face powder. It is a bright pink pressed powder with just a hint of sparkle which I must admit gave me pause. But Benefit has never disappointed and now they've kept their record intact. I grabbed the accompanying brush with out a thought of who may have used it before and swept the powder lightly across cheekbones, forehead and chin. When I peered in the mirror I looked as if I had just finished a marathon or tumbled out of bed!
Cheers,
Barb

Thinking About A New Hairstyle?

2008-03-26T14:29:00.000-04:00

Maybe it's the time of year but as winter recedes I find myself dissatisfied with my present hair style. I'm up for something bouncy and sexy(I think) as opposed to the straight and blunt cut which I've sported for more than awhile. This has happened before and usually I end up a few weeks later just wishing I'd stayed with the tired but true. The problem is my communication with my hairdresser who unfortunately isn't a mind reader.

That's why I was thrilled to receive an on line newsletter from More.com addressing just that dilemma. This weeks edition is all about hair and features 15 hairstyle ideas, sexy hair makeovers and color advice. There's a guide to covering gray or if you wish, to join their Growing In Gray Club although you won't find me among the members.
Best of all there's a way to try on one of those new looks before submitting to the sheers. All it takes is uploading a photo of your self to their Virtual Makeover tool to see how different cuts will look on you. There are hundreds to choose from including 25 celebrity styles. Now there's no longer any need for conversation with the hairdresser, just bring in the picture!

Quickest Way To Protect Skin From UV Rays

2008-03-20T18:23:00.000-04:00

No, I'm not suggesting you sequester yourself indoors for the summer but I have found that getting myself equipped to face the morning sun on my daily power walk takes a lot longer than it used to. For years I just smeared some sunscreen over my face and felt virtuous . Always being a bit shortsighted I never gave a thought to anything below my chin. It was those glaring mirrors at ballet class that gave me my comeuppance when they reflected neck and arm skin that looked considerably older than that on my face. I tried to rectify matters by expanding my sunscreen coverage which also added several minutes to my departure time.
Now I've discovered a product that may help hasten it.
SunGuard is a laundry product that washes sun protection into clothing and helps block more than 96% of UV rays from reaching your skin. UVP,Ultra Violet Protection is similar to SPF ratings for sunscreen. Most light weight and light colored summer fabrics do little or nothing to protect your skin from those harmful rays. A white tee shirt has a UVP factor of 5. Adding just one packet Of SunGuard to a warm or hot water laundry load along with detergent will increase sun protection to a UVP rating of 30. while not changing the texture, color or breathability of clothing. One treatment provides protection for up to 20 washings. This product is recommended by dermatologists and bears the Good Housekeeping and Skin Cancer's Foundation seals. Sounds good to me!
Cheers, Barb

Shrink Wrap That Sagging Skin

2008-03-12T10:36:00.001-04:00

I know that headline reads like an ad for a product in the back of a cheap magazine but there actually is a proven way to restore youthful firmness to sagging skin on the arms, legs and abdomen. Now I sound like an infomercial! But if you're like me, as swimsuit time draws near you start to look at those areas with a more apprising eye and until recently there wasn't much you could do to improve matters.
So what's changed? Laser technology is exploding. You may remember that last November I had my face resurfaced by an ActiveFX lazer, one of the newest and most powerful ones on the market. The results were extraordinary and for the first time in my life I have porcelain like skin.
There are now a number of so called skin tightening systems on the market. However the gold standard is a combination treatment using Infrared Skin Tightening followed by Fractional Skin Resurfacing and can be applied to any part of the body. Before you say WHAT? I'll try to explain in less technical terms.
Infrared light has been proven to tighten loose or wrinkled skin by causing immediate collagen contraction and long term collagen stimulation. As a result skin tightens and fine lines and wrinkles even disappear over time. Infrared Skin Tightening treats the deepest layer of skin 1-3 mm beneath the surface. There is no downtime and the recovery is immediate.
Fractional Skin Resurfacing uses a nonablative (non damaging) fractional laser to deliver energy to the upper and middle areas of the skin, stimulating collagen production in these layers and creating a smooth even toned and even textured surface. When used together all three layers of the skin are treated and there is virtually no discomfort.
Scott Wells M.D. a plastic surgeon in New York City and Great Neck, NY who has pioneered this ground breaking method of treating damaged skin calls it Skin Refabrication.(trademark). It is especially effective when used in conjunction with liposuction. Many women while delighted to have the fat removed are sometimes less than happy with the sagging skin that they're often left with. The results when the two procedures are used together is nothing less than amazing. This is also the solution for those who are not overweight but whose skin, in spite of hours spent at the gym, has that less than firm look or whose slack belly skin announces their motherhood. It is recommended that four treatment be administered in a series of one a month.
Most amazing of all is that this even works on areas for which it was once believed nothing could help such as knees and elbows.
Beam me up Scotty!
Cheers,
Barb

Beauty Product Rebellion

2008-03-04T11:13:00.001-05:00

I've made up my mind and I won't be swayed. From this point on I will never purchase any two step beauty product be it mascara or anything else. Ditto for the primers that are flooding the market to be used prior to applying foundation. I am also swearing off the double blush application as touted by a Bobbie Brown sales associate. She swirled a cream pink blush over the apples of my checks and then addressed my cheek bones with a swipe or two of bronzer. Yes, I looked rosy cheeked and healthy and my cheek bones appeared more prominent that they usually do but it is nothing I would ever do at home.
Multiple products and numerous application steps remind me of a good friend who has since moved on to a place where adornment is unnecessary. When earthbound, her face while never shouting makeup, always looked great. Of course I had to learn her secret and she was happy to share it. The process involved layering and mixing three different foundations and two concealers for starters and then moved on to multi step processes for eyes,lips and cheeks. It ended with brushing a pale pink powder over her entire face with a big fluffy brush. As much as I admired the finished product, I didn't posses the patience or own the fluffy brush(which she insisted was key), to even try to replicate it
There are increasingly a ton of tricks and products available to seduce us in our efforts to present a more attractive facade. It's easy to be tempted especially if we compare ourselves with celebrities who spend hours being styled,buffed and Botoxed to within an inch of their lives. As vain as I may be, I'm still not willing to spend an iota more time than I already do applying cosmetics. Time is precious and there are too many other more interesting and rewarding ways to use it.
I'm still a beauty product junkie and will be forever on the lookout for that perfect product that will help transform or cover whatever is bothering me, the only criteria being that it's quick and easy to apply.
How much time to you spend putting on your makeup? I'd love to know!
Cheers,
Barb

Help For Those Age Spots

2008-02-26T14:25:00.006-05:00

My colleague At GIRL-WOMAN-BEAUTY- BRAINS BLOG has found some help for those age spots that plaque most of us as the years pile up. This is a woman as obsessed with concealers as I am, so she knows of what she speaks. While she found several that worked on her face,they failed to camouflage the spots on her hands, which she refers to as sun spots. (a much kinder term that I intend to adopt ) .
Truthfully,I was always more concerned with my face but know that many women feel otherwise especially when spring rolls around and it's time to take the gloves off.
Girl-Woman - recommends Cover FX Total Coverage Cream Foundation to make your hands appear spotless and ready for viewing. It comes in a wide range of shades and is transfer resistant. This concealer also contains SPF30 to help put the breaks on any future sun spots targeting your hands.
Cheers,
Barb

What Are They Wearing for the Oscars?

2008-02-21T17:43:00.012-05:00

If the expressions on the stars sashaying down the red carpet look just a little more frozen than usual it could be because they're wearing Freeze 24- 7 According to a press release I received from that cosmetic company's PR people the faces of Debra Messing, Halle Berry and Renee Zellweger, among others will be sporting their products.
I haven't used Freeze 24-7 except for a quick pump and application of their Anti-Aging Eye Serum at Sephora pre-eye lift. I recall my under-eye area feeling and looking a bit tighter but not tight enough to justify The $115.00 price tag . They have a full line of products that address tightening and wrinkling. Like many anti aging products their results are most likely to be effective on the under 40 group who have a minimum of lax skin.
I"m certain that the stars we'll be scrutinizing regardless of age will be wearing the products on top of their Botoxed or Restylane filled faces. So don't be taken in. It's just another case of cosmetic industry smoke and mirrors

Lip Color With Staying Power

2008-02-19T15:09:00.004-05:00

Any color I put on my lips has a tendency to do a quick disappearing act so I've long been on the lookout for lip color that lasts. Yes I know there are some out with staying power but they leave my lips feeling parched.
Now the people at Good Housekeeping have to come to the rescue. At their renowned Research Institute they recently tested ten of the latest long lasting lip colors.
After applying the lip colors in the lab,volunteers ate a buttered bagel, sipped a hot drink and kissed the back of their hand. An expert then recorded the amount of transfer color. The testers then wore the products for the rest of the day without reapplying and then rated them on comfort look and wear.
All had zero color fade and lasted 11 hours. Among the top three performers L'Oreal Infallible Never Fail Lip Color was number two after Channel
Of course I had to check it out and made a special stop at Rite Aide. I spent a bit of time picking out the color bearing in mind advice from the book How Not To Look Old which says we older gals do better to stick with pale pink (being blond I had always veered to the more earth or coral tones which might have been a mistake.) So I picked Azalea, a medium pale pink. The product comes in an attractive mirrored case, but I was dismayed to discover that this one like the Maybelline I had previously tried was a two step process.
I still felt compelled to give it a try. The color is applied with a wand and has to dry for two minutes. It went on more smoothly but had that same stiff feeling as the Maybelline as it dried However this is then topped by a clear super moisturizing gloss applied in stick form. It immediately alleviated the stiff feeling and managed to keep my lips feeling moisturized all day.
By evening they were still pink, if not quite as shiny as they were in the morning. I may have to try this one again but in a brighter shade. I'm still not sold on the virtues of pink but do intend to check out the shades recommended in the book. I'll let you know. Meanwhile I can't believe I'm spending so much time thinking about lips!
Cheers,
Barb

Beauty Product Whore?

2008-02-13T12:00:00.005-05:00

There are many in this business who are bombarded by UPS deliveries of free cosmetic samples and then write gushing reviews to insure that the UPS truck keeps pulling up to their door.
Yes it's tempting and it's fine if that's what you're comfortable doing. In the interest of full disclosure, I'm not.
Any product that I review and that I received free (and in all honesty there haven't been that many) is always identified as a sample and not the result of my cruising Sephora and smearing my hands with different products which is my usual modus operandi. I also go begging at Sephora for samples saying that I want to try a cream or foundation at home before purchasing it and they are very obliging. Drug stores do not indulge in free samples so I purchase interesting products for my personal use.
Unless I really love a product, I don't pretend to. If it works for me, I let you know. I started this site to share my considerable beauty research and justify the time spent. I wanted it to be truthful and so it is.
Cheers,
Barb

My Addiction Ruined My Skin

2008-02-08T18:19:00.002-05:00

For twenty five years I ran almost everyday. Winter winds battered my face, summer sun baked it. This was back in a time when sunscreen had yet to boast a high profile . I pounded the pavements because I, who had lived to age forty with out ever being in the least athletic, had discovered that I could put one foot in front of another, move forward at approximately ten minutes a mile and with the resulting endorphins surging through my body, feel better than I ever had. I never gave a thought to my face until I arrived at age 60 with sags, line and much discoloration.

Recently I received a sample of Pure Cloud Cream from skyn ICELAND, a company whose skincare line is designed to treat the effects of stress on the skin. Pure Cloud Cream boasts among its ingredients Sodium hyaluronate a powerful moisturizer, Biosheric Complex a proprietar blend that delivers vital nutrients of Iceland's natural resources, oat extract an anti irritant, and hydolyzed rice protein said to preserve healthy collagen.
I used it after a long, cold and windy walk and found it extremely soothing. There was absolutely no burning or tingling and it was quickly absorbed leaving no residue, just satin soft skin. Pure Cloud Cream is also recommended for women who have had laser or cosmetic surgery. Oh, if only I had it back in November when I underwent both.

This product also contains peptides which are said to help relieve skin irritation and discomfort by stimulating the release of endorphins. I know that peptides do lots of good things for our skin but I'm skeptical about their ability to release endorphins. My skin felt better but that endorphin high, my drug of choice, never kicked in!

A Different Type of Eyeliner

2008-02-06T09:27:00.000-05:00

Anytime I'm in Rite Aid to pick up a prescription I reward myself with a quick foray through the beauty section. My particular store appears to pay scant attention to that department and it often looks neglected. Still being an optimistic sort I'm always hopeful that they've cleaned up their act and I'll find something new.

The other day I noticed for the first time a display of eye liners by a manufacturer called Styli-Style. I took a quick look at the colors. None called out to me but then I happened on something I'd not seen before; a flat edged eye pencil.
Eyeliner is the one product that I can't do without but I've yet to perfect the application. The line I draw is either too thick or too thin, so I'm forever on the lookout for a product that will do the job with a minimum of skill. Just maybe this was it. I took a second look at the colors. There was space for over a dozen but most of the bins were empty Neither gray nor olive, two of my favorites, were anywhere in sight. I settled on Dublin and hoped it wouldn't be too bright.
It wasn't and this morning I put my eyeliner on in record time. I really like the flat pencil. It's easy to use and makes getting the right thickness a cinch. They also had a flat edged sharpener which I didn't buy at the time but is now on my list!
Cheers,
Barb

The Easiest Way Not to Look Old

2008-02-03T14:14:00.000-05:00

There's a new book out, How Not to Look Old. I haven't read it yet but I have read and heard plenty about it. The author, a former editor of Glamour offers a myriad of valuable tips such as shortening your skirts and cutting bangs in order to project that youthful image many of us aspire to.
Clothes, hair and makeup visually define who we are and hint at our age. But there's another important factor in the equation; one that shouts old no matter how well you've nailed the perfect skirt length or lip color and that's posture and bearing. If you don't pay attention to them, all else is for naught.
Just look around any mall and you'll see what I mean. As we age osteoporosis and the force of gravity conspire to cause many of us to bend at about a 25 degree angle from the waist. We just sort of pitch forward. Some of us may be a bit hunched in the shoulders or our necks may have shortened . I realize I'm not painting a pretty picture here but as I said, look around and you'll see what I mean. If you're focused on achieving that youthful look, it's something that must be addressed .
The solution is simple; make a concerted effort to straighten up. The most effective way is to lift from the rib cage which may over time, have taken to resting on your stomach. Try this first standing sideways in front of a full length mirror. You'll notice that as you lift the rib cage,your shoulders drop and your chin raises a bit; your lower back lengthens and flattens as does your abdomen. Now practice walking in this position. It may take a little practice but keep at it and soon it will become automatic.
This is a trick I learned from my mother who even at 85 did not want to look like an old lady and never did.
Cheers, Barb

FASTEST MANICURE EVER!

2008-01-29T13:53:00.000-05:00

Sally Hansen (if such a person actually exists) is a woman after my own heart.
As much as I like to look good, life is too filled with other more compelling possibilities than sitting for upwards of twenty minutes to have my nails done. As a result I do mine my self and when time is really at a premium settle for polishless nails and hope that they escape notice. Last summer my nails got an upgrade when my gal Sal came out with a great product called Natural Shine Instant Nail Polish which I wrote about here. I loved it but it came only in clear and a barely nude color that needed a couple of coats .
Now Sally's done it again with an updated version that comes in several colors. This product is aptly called Color Quick and is a fast dry nail color pen that provides,as it says on the packaging, a Manicure in Minutes. Sally doesn't lie. You just click the top of the pen to dispense the color to the brush attached to the end. By the time you finish the last nail, the first one is dry.
As a bonus it boasts your nail's health because it contains anti oxidant Vitamins A& E to condition them and UV protection to keep the color fresh!
Cheers,
Barb

Channeling My Inner Witch

2008-01-23T22:30:00.000-05:00

I never imagined I'd be one of those women concocting a beauty potion in her kitchen but there I was one night last week doing just that.
It all started when I received a sample of DHC Deep Cleansing Oil which listed as ingredients olive oil and vitamin E. I liked the sample and then started to wonder would a homemade version work as well? Of course I had to try.
I used a small, maybe a one ounce beauty sample jar and filled it almost to the top with extra virgin olive oil. A search reveled a lack of vitamin E capsules but I did find a big jar of Omega-3- fatty acid capsules that I figured would do just as well if not better. I pierced one and emptied its contents into the olive oil and as I did inhaled the smell of fish. Not to be deterred from being the next Estee Lauder (I think she started out in the kitchen too) I made a quick foray into my bedroom where I grabbed a purse size bottle of Joy and shook exactly three drops into the mixture. It did the trick and I've been using it not only as a cleanser but as a moisturizer too.
Try it yourself!
Cheers, Barb

I'm Returning This Product!

2008-01-20T20:42:00.000-05:00

I love the look of lip gloss. I admire it on others but in spite of many trys I've not used it on a regular basis myself. True, it looks great when I put it on, especially if I take the time to line my lips first. But some time in between the plies and the grand jetes at ballet class, the lip gloss performs a vanishing act. It fares no better out of class. One minute my lips are shiny and moist with color, the next time I cheek they're faded and dry. No matter if it's a drug store or high end brand, the result is the same.
That's why an ad for Maybelline's new SuperStay Gloss caught my eye. It was advertised as lasting for twelve hours and that was more than long enough for me. I made a quick stop at CVS, which in my area has a fantastic cosmetic department, and quickly choose ruby red from a wide array of colors. Then I took another look and realized that its staying power was due to a two step process,much like the one required with some mascaras where you prime the lashes with one substance and then add color with a second.
At home I found that this one works the opposite way. You use one end, which is a sponge, to apply the color . Think thick paint with a matte finish. The instructions say to wait two minutes before applying the top coat of colorless gloss. As I've said many times before I dislike any makeup that requires a two step process and the two minute wait wasn't getting any points from me either. As it turned out, the wait wasn't all that bad because I reversed the way I usually apply makeup, which is to do my lips last and instead started on them first, topping them with the colorless gloss (which is applied with a brush) after I had done my eyes etc.
When I was finished,I felt like I had a lot on my lips, and when I tried to rub them together to sort of smooth and spread things out, nothing moved. No matter,I took this as testament to the product's staying power. However after class when I peered closely in the mirror, I found that, my lips while they were still quite red, looked faded and worn and the gloss was greatly diminished. Could I have licked it off during one of those pirouettes I'm still trying to master?
Good I saved my receipt! I see that Cover Girl now has a similar product that promises 16 hour staying power. Maybe I should try it.

Cheers,
Barb

Get The Lowdown On That Anti-Aging Product

2008-01-15T14:14:00.000-05:00

The beauty catalogues pile up next to my desk. I'd like to tell you that I'm not intrigued by their contents and eventually just toss them but I don't. I pour over them ever on the lookout for the product that really works, something I can recommend. What I find are a ton of promises:clear skin, luminous skin, the look of Botox with out the needle, the look of of a face lift with out a surgeon. It's all there worded to tantalize and seduce.
And if you are, as I am, over 60, they don't work. If you are younger results are not as dramatic as promised. Read the studies that are cited as proof carefully. They are usually self reported by a not too large sample of women using the product over a six week to three month period. Not exactly the evidence one would want in order to shell out the considerable sum these products demand.
Before you present your credit card, log on to the Beauty Brains.com for the inside scoop on what really works. You'll be surprised by what they have to say and the fact that equally effective products can be found no further away than your nearest drug store.
Cheers,
Barb

A Sucker For A Sample

2008-01-10T14:04:00.000-05:00

I'm a sucker for a sample, so when the DHC catalogue arrived with a bright pink sticker on the front announcing free samples inside, I stopped what I was doing and opened it right away.
As promised taped inside page were four samples of their reasonably priced olive oil based products.
The first one to catch my eye was the Deep Cleansing Oil. I've been using oil along with other products as a moisturizer during the winter, but this was the first time I'd seen it touted as a cleanser. Even though I'm a die hard fan of Ponds Cold Cream I gave this a try and liked it. The oil which is enriched with vitamin e is water soluble and my face felt refreshed, yet not stripped.

I'm ever on the lookout for ways to preserve my new and much improved eyes so their Concentrated Eye Cream was next on my list to checkout. This thick soothing cream is a combination of olive oil to fight dryness and horse chestnut extract. The copy is a little vague on the benefits of the latter but the combination felt great. So good that I just may purchase some when my current favorite, Benefit's Eyecon is gone

DHC is a San Francisco based mail order company whose products use all natural ingredients with olive oil appearing as the lead contender in a variety of them. I'm taking a new look at my kitchen supply. Would a vitamin capsule emptied in a little olive oil preform the same way? I may just try it and let you know.
Cheers,
Barb

3 Easy Ways to Winterize Your Skin

2008-01-05T14:23:00.000-05:00

Winter's cold air and wind coupled with dry indoor heat can wreck as much havoc on your skin as the mid summer sun.
However with just a few precautions you'll be ready to greet spring when it arrives, with your face unscathed.

1. Don't pack away that sunscreen or venture outdoors without it. UVA rays, the kind that don't burn but are ever present even on a cloudy day, are just waiting to penetrate your skin and cause some damage.
2. Change to a heavier moisturizer. If you regularly use a lotion, now is the time to consider switching to a cream. If a cream is your moisturizer of choice as it is for me, you may want to use a coating of face oil underneath.
3. To avoid that unattractive scaly skin that has a way of coating legs each winter use a cream moisturizer after showering. I keep a big jar of Cetapfil Moisturizing Cream on my night table and coat my feet with it before bed and then put on heavy socks. My feet get hours of abuse as a result of my attempts at ballet and are frequently sore but the cream helps soothe and leaves them soft and smooth.
4. Purchase a small humidifier and keep it near your bed. Dry air not only dries your skin it can also dry your sinuses resulting in a stuffy nose and scratchy throat not to mention hair that stands on end.
Cheers,
Barb

Help For Highlights

2007-12-30T14:16:00.000-05:00

A while back while waiting in NBC's green room I watched in amazement as two makeup artists transformed a handful of unremarkable looking women into on air dazzlers. Most notable of all the tricks I witnessed was the use of black cake mascara (the old fashioned kind that comes in a narrow box along with a brush that has to be dampened) to touch up the white roots on the head of a dark haired woman.
Recently I discovered that Frederic Fekkai has come out with a Hair Mascara for those of us with highlights. My base color is medium brown with a sprinkling of gray, a combination that enables me to go three months in between touch ups. Okay,the last few weeks it looks less than perfect especially when I pull it back for ballet class but I'm good at ignoring it. However, recently I let almost four months go by before I called for an appointment and then had to wait an additional week. By that time the two inch width of mousy color was hard to ignore. Then I remembered the hair mascara and beat a path to Sephora

Hi Lights Hair Mascara is housed in a pale blue tube. The only thing that distinguishes it from eye mascara is that the brush and bristles are slightly larger It was easy to apply, mistake proof and transformed that mousy gap with light reflecting streaks of gold. It dried in just a few minute and left my limp hair with a hint of body much like a like a styling gel. Hair mascara washes out with the next shampoo. I can't believe someone didn't come out with this before but of course there's always regular mascara for those of you with dark hair. Brush on!
Cheers, Barb

Treat Your Skin To Health for the New Year

2007-12-23T15:39:00.000-05:00

I know all the products I'm addicted to using on my skin and especially on my eyes enhance my looks but every once in a while I wonder what havoc all those chemicals may be causing. My eyes in particular tend to sting and tear.
I think that's one of the reasons a new four product kit by Tarte ,we wish you health, caught my eye. The attractive purple leather case that it comes packaged in helped too.

A mini clean slate face primer, boasts a silicone based formula that is enriched with avocado, echinacea, rosemary, and hibiscus oils to soothe and moisturize. I've recently started using different oils to moisturize my skin instead of lotions,so this primer has my name on it and does the job.
Mini-lock and roll creaseless eyeshadow duo is a cream shadow in slate, a shade that flatters just about every eye color. The vitamin E enriched cream glides on smoothly. The other end is a powder shadow that contains crushed mica, which adds depth and definition

The mini lights, camera, lashes 4-in 1 mascara lengthens curls and volunmizes and conditions lashes using Provitamin B to thicken lashes and natural olive esters to treat and protect against breakage. As I coated my lashes with this mascara before ballet class I felt as if I was giving them a beauty treatment! It may just end up being my favorite mascara
The inside out vitamin infused lipgloss contains BORBA, acai, greentea, and grape seed extract along with vitamins A, E and C. The shade, Serenity with just a hint of a sparkle glided on and felt great but didn't last through the hour and a half class. Not to worry,
I had the kit with me and was able to reapply.
Give your skin a treat for the New Year by adorning it with cosmetics that actually help make it better!
Cheers,
Barb

Glitter without the Glitz

2007-12-14T16:29:00.000-05:00

All year long I've ignored the lure of of glitter and shine that beckons from cosmetic counters. Not for me, I say. But come the holidays, what seemed garish just a few months ago now looks well, just festive. Still I don't want to over do or over spend since I've already spent a bundle on gifts. Lets face it the glitter I'm tempted indulge in now will probably not emerge from my makeup drawer any time after January 1st.
That being said, I'll ignore what ever sparkles from the Channel or Dior and head for less luxe pastures. I know with just a bit of forbearance I will find similar results in the mass market stores.
Silver shines just as much as gold but is more subtle. It is also kinder to most skin tones. At first I considered going all out with a sparkly eyeliner but then decided that it may be more suited to the stage and once again I was passed over for the part of the sugar plum fairy in this year's Nutcracker. I settled on a silver shadow, Oasis by Prestige, instead. The amount of sparkle it delivers varies from just a hint of festivity to all out shimmer depending on how you layer it. It can be used alone or over a color. Either way it imparts a perfect metallic sheen. Oasis is packaged in a festive looking disk and at my neighborhood Rite Aid was $4.
It took a bit longer to find something silvery and shimmery for my nails. Most silver shades were too heavy on the sparkle factor but OPI whose line I love mostly for their inventive names, has a great deep silver called Glimmer. it combines just the right amount of shine with a nice depth of color. $ 7.50 at a beauty supply store.
Cheers,
Barbara

Luscious Lips That Last

2007-12-10T13:40:00.000-05:00

Okay, I'll admit it. I've never been a big fan of lipliner. I always regarded it as just one more step in what was starting to become an ever increasing, time consuming process. For the most part, I just didn't see the point. Then too lipliner conjured up visions of that heavily outlined and then filled in with a lighter shade look, that was popular on lips decades ago.
Well time have changed and so have my lips. Never particularly full and lush they started to thin while I wasn't paying attention . Lipstick was harder to apply and the result often gave new meaning to the term "a dash of lipstick" On the advice of my friend Maxine from ballet class whose lips are always, full,lush and perfectly madeup I decided to use a lip pencil.

I've hit upon a terrific one by Rimmel, 1000 Kisses lip liner pencil. It comes in a wide variety of nine shades and is easy to use. Starting from the corners of the mouth even someone as artistically challenged as I am can draw a perfect line. I then fill it in with Rimmel's Cool Shine Lipstick. It's billed as the first gel lipstick that is vitually wax free and infused with 25% purified water. It feels delightful on and gives my newly full lips a luscious shine. The duo has staying power and while I can't vouch for 1000 kisses my lips are certainly much more kissable!
Cheers,
Barb

THE BEST PROVEN WRINKLE TREATMENT

2007-12-04T11:06:00.000-05:00

I eagerly devour the countless beauty catalogues lugged to the door by my hard working mailman. Their delivery causes me to stop mid task, propelled by my search for that magical skin care treatment that may just be lurking inside those glossy pages . However lately I've been struck by the skyrocketing price of many high end products.
One in particular by LaMer tops out at $650. Who buys these creams and more importantly do they offer proven results? Most often it's a hung jury. The tests they site are usually self reported by a small sample of women. Occasionally you'll find one recommended by a dermotoligist . However a close investigation may uncover the fact that he has some connection to the manufacturer.
However there is one product that you won't find at any cosmetic counter but that is universally endorsed by dermatologists as a wrinkle treatment. It's Renova, a Vitamin A derivative. Think a kinder gentler Retin A. The generic name is Tretinoin Cream

I started using it before my recent face rejuvenation and in one month I saw a distinct improvement in my skin. My cheeks were less wrinkled, though not enough for me to even consider cancelling my appointment. When I told my surgeon, Scott Wells M.D. I was using it he said he would have prescribed it prior to the surgery if I wasn't. It improves skin quality by helping boost collagen production as does the ACTIVE FX Lazer that he would be using as part of my rejuvenation

So from now on I'll be skipping those pages of face treatment products and their dubious promises. Its RENOVA for me as I strive to preserve my new and much improved face. But never fear; I'll still comb those catalogues for products to enhance it
Cheers,
Barb

BENEFIT DOES IT AGAIN !

2007-11-26T09:18:00.000-05:00

Just when I thought the quick fix queen was bereft of new tricks out comes another cute combo, Justinecase. This handy little kit contains mini versions of four Benefit favorites: Benetent lip and cheek color, Some Kind of Gorgeous foundation , Eyecon Eye Brightener and California Kissin Gloss which adds a touch of mint to your kiss along with some shine.
This is the perfect find for Holiday time and not just as a present. Keep one in your purse and you can appear rested and gorgeous, ready to party at a moments notice.
A word about Eyecon: With my new and improved eyes I though it was high time to take the advice given by my mother shortly before my thirtieth birthday. "Use eye cream," she said eying the lines spiking from the corners of mine. So finally, I've taken her advice. I recently purchased Eyecon and it's soothing qualities are just what my eyes need to keep them in tip top condition.

Cheers, Barb

IS IT DANGEROUS TO TRY BEFORE YOU BUY?

2007-11-25T17:22:00.000-05:00

I'm the original try before you buy consumer. The sales associates at Sephora pay me no attention as I wander between displays smudging this and that on my hand and face. Lately though I've given second thoughts to trying those samples set out for the world at large to use. True there is no shortage of disposable applicators but all sorts of apprehensions are surfacing. What about those who double dip? Can germs thrive in makeup? Can they spread? Wondering about such things has dampened my enthusiasm for this particular pastime.
I think it was my desire to try false eyelashes with out making a significant outlay that made me take a different look at a cosmetic company called E.L.F. They makes mini sizes of a wide range of beauty products and price them at a dollar each. For that amount I purchased their Natural Lash Kit. It comes complete with lashes, tray, adhesive gel and directions. I can't wait to try them but want to clear it with my plastic surgeon first! I'll let you know.
Meanwhile their products are intriguing and the array wide. I felt like a kid in a candy store just cruising the site. How would I look in dark red lipgloss? What about yellow eyeshadow? Such possibilities. Of course it's not free but there are no nasty germs to spoil the fun!

A TRULY AMAZING CONCEALER!

2007-11-18T12:29:00.000-05:00

The last item on the to do list before my face lift was to purchase a new concealer. I had been using NARS which I liked but thought I should be prepared with something more heavy duty.

I popped in to Sephora and cornered one of their consultants for advice. She mentioned Makeup Forever and Vincent Longo as possible choices. Vincent Longo was new to me and" new," with its unknown possibilities always beckons; so Vinny it was. It comes in a disk container and I liked its combination of opaque coverage and moisturizing qualities. I thanked the consultant, got a sample of Bobbie Brown foundation (how I love those Sephora samples) and got at the end of the long line.
As I inched my way toward the front a display caught my eye: Amazing Concealer put out by I company I had never heard of Amazing Cosmetics. I opened the small black tube and gave it a squeeze. Spackle best describes it. I found a mirror and spread it under one eye. A little goes more than a very long way, so I tried just a bit on the other eye. It was amazing, not only did it cover but it provided a hint of tightening as well. I still wasn't cancelling my surgery but I said a hasty goodby to Vinny for the time being and purchased Amazing Concealer instead.

It was the first product I used after surgery and it hasn't disappointed . If you are just looking to erase routine under eye circles they include an easy diagram to follow that makes them disappear. But as for the black, blue and yellow of post surgery or any other discolorations this stuff is really amazing and certainly does the job!

Cheers,
Barb

PRE & POST SURGERY PICTURES and WRAP UP!

2007-11-14T19:27:00.000-05:00

BEFORE

AFTER

DAY 3

DAY 5

Looking like a leftover from Halloween I arrived back in Dr. Well's office on Monday. He removed some of the stitches from behind my ears and then the nurse,Carol took over to clean my face of its peeling skin. First she bathed it gently with water and then coated it with an enzyme that she left on for a few minutes. Then she spent the good part of an hour meticulously dermaplaning my face with a razor like tool . When she was done she smoothed it with a moisturizing gel that felt like heaven and then Ta Da ! she held up the mirror. My skin which had been heavily sun damaged was smooth and pink with no sign of discoloration save for a bit of bruising under my eyes. My chin line was defined, my eyes bigger, my face more lifted.

And all in the space of less than a week. Amazing! But judge for yourself...... I go back again on Friday to have more stiches taken out and some more dermaplaning on my neck

POST SURGERY

2007-11-10T22:09:00.000-05:00

Day two after surgery I awoke tired and swollen. The post surgery euphoria of the previous day had disappeared and my energy level was low. However while there was some discomfort there was little pain.

Day three found me feeling more like myself. My energy had returned but my face felt tight as a drum and there was significant discoloration especially below my right eye. When my daughter called from CA to ask how I looked I replied "Picture an abused woman who feel asleep on a beach in the Bahamas. "

The next day my skin felt even more taut. So much so that I called Dr. Well's office to see if what I was experiencing was normal. A call back from each of the staff there assured me that it was. Knowing that my face wasn't going to explode made the experience more tolerable but I took a painkiller at night to help me sleep. Previously I had been making do with extra strength Tylenol

Yesterday I went back to Dr. Wells. He removed the stitches from my lower eyelids and some of the dead peeling skin from around my mouth

Today, (Sunday) the sloughing process has accelerated and like a snake shedding it's scales much of my new lower face is emerging. I'm trying not to get too excited but from what I see, and you can be sure I spend considerable time looking using both a regular and magnifying mirror , it looks better than any skin I ever had before. Now tomorrow I'm back to Dr. Wells to have the rest removed and maybe some stitches too . We're coming down the homestretch!

An aside. I didn't let my peeling face keep me home bound. My daughter-in-law was hosting a small party to promote her web site, Elie's Collectibles.com. I had planned on going and getting a start on my Christmas shopping. I certainly felt well enough and had no qualms about anyone viewing my peeling and discolored but otherwise OK countenance, so off I went. The women were uniformly supportive and very, very interested. each one cornered me privately and asked the not so gory details. None had any idea that plastic surgery had evolved to the point where one wasn't confined for a month or so.
But then again neither had I.
Cheers,
Barb

SURGERY DAY!

2007-11-07T18:58:00.000-05:00

A pouring rain spilled off the hood of the car as we minced our way up the FDR drive. I hadn't calculated the bad weather into our arrival time and had visions of Dr. Wells and staff waiting a bit impatiently since I was the first appointment. However when I got there the only one a bit frazzled was me. The others moved at a leisurely pace and Dr. wells even sat down in the waiting room with me to chat and go over the procedure. The anesthesiologist had a few questions as did Theresa, who would be doing the Active FX Lazer after the surgery. Carol the operating room nurse brought me my outfit for the day and escorted me into the operating room. The anesthesi waited with what she promised was a strong cocktail and off I drifted to the sounds Of Janis Jolplin.
The next thing I knew they were gathered around telling me how great I had done, holding up a mirror and asking if I wanted to look. I immediately snapped to. My friend Marcia who was responsible for me being there had warned me to refuse. "It's not a pretty sight," was the way she put it. But being a woman who never could resist a mirror no matter what it may show I had to take a peek. She was right except for the fact that my eyes looked bigger than I had seen them in years. They had lost their droop. The rest of the day and night passed in a haze of pain killers and relief. Later that night Dr. Wells and staff came back to check on me and took the bandages off and had me look again. Yes I was swollen but beneath the swelling I caught a glimpse of a woman I hadn't seen in years.
I was back home by 8:30 this morning with directions to administer cool compresses and keep my face covered with a copper creme Theresa had given me. By this evening my face is starting to peel and will probably lose some of its years of sun damage by tomorow. Then I'm back to Dr. Well's office on Friday afternoon to have my face cleaned of the dead skin.
I know I promised pictures but I'm having a bit of trouble downloading my new software. So be patient. They will appear including before snd several afters.
Cheers,
Barb

READY,SET, SURGERY!

2007-11-05T22:23:00.000-05:00

Well, my big day dawns tomorrow when a car will whisk me into NYC to the office of Scott B. Wells M.D. shortly after the sun rises. I didn't expect to be nervous, excited yes, but nervous. no, except that I am.
"Are you packed" each of my daughters asks when they call. Packed? This is a bare bones trip. Nothing to take but myself. The printed instructions that I've read and re- read say no jewelery, no cosmetics, no cash; shower the night before, no food after midnight. Bring the prescribed medications, an antibiotic and painkiller along with Arinica Montana a homeopathic medicine to reduce bruising and swelling that Dr. Wells also prescribed.
I've already finished a seven day pre-op perscription for Vitamin K and have laid out a zip front warm up suit purchased at the Gap especially for the occasion because recommendations also include loose clothing and something that opens in the front along with flat shoes. So I'm set and should be out the door and on my way in no time at all. One more thing I'm taking my camera and I promise to share the pictures from each stage, no matter how bad.
Cheers,
Barb

TEINT INNOCENCE: ONLY FOR THE YOUNG?

2007-10-31T09:37:00.000-04:00

I ignored Chanel's latest foundation offering when it first appeared. The word "innocence" put me off and I assumed it was targeted to a much younger demographic. The wording in the the advertising copy didn't speak to me either, especially the line about letting skin's natural glow show through. Let's face it, at this stage I'm looking for makeup to give me that elusive glow.

On the other hand Chanel makeup has been a family tradition begun by my mother who would use no other. So while I was researching the high end foundations I had to give it a try

Liquid silk was the thought that came to mind as I rubbed it over my cheeks It felt great;more like a lotion than Cliniques Supermoisture foundation which was creamy. Still the skeptic, I thought it probably wouldn't cover that well but I was presently surprised. Not only did it cover but it provided that glow I'm always searching for. I was already to purchase it when my daughter, Kim reminded me to hold off until after I had my surgery. She said Iwould probably need a different shade then after the peel with the Active FX Laser.

Tomorrow it's off to the drug store to see what new foundations are lurking there.

Cheers,

Barb

Sorting Out the New Foundations

2007-10-25T11:29:00.000-04:00

For awhile I've been eschewing foundation except for evening. I talked myself into believing that it didn't do that much and more often than not just emphasized my wrinkles. In a moment of total delusion I decided to go the natural route. I've always longed to be one of those women who when asked what foundation they used could answer could with a smidgen of smugness, "I don't use any."

So for these past few months my makeup regimen for day has consisted of concealer to cover the brown spots and other discolorations, blush and sometimes bronzer,to brighten up my sallow complexion. (This was in addition to lipgloss and eye makeup which for me is a given.)

I tried to ignore that the tedious spot covering and blending was also time consuming until one day when I was running late for ballet class. A bottle of Perscriptives foundation left over from months before beckoned, and foregoing the concealer, I smoothed it over my entire face swept a bit of blush over my cheeks and less than a minute later I was out the door. When I arrived at class my friend Maxine, a fellow makeup junkie, told me I looked good. "It's foundation ," I whispered as we took our places at the barre. "Of course." she said with a shrug, as if to say that was a given. She's right and I'm back on the foundation track and it's time to invest in a new one. I'm in the process of checking out what's new at each price point

A mid- priced line I've always liked is Clinique and they have just added a new foundation to their already extensive line. Supermoisture Makeup sounded as if they had me in mind. It promises to disguise unevenness with sheer to moderate coverage topped with a dewy finish. I read it as a sort of a step between a tinted moisturizer and a foundation and I was right. It's texture is creamier than most lotions but it is still lightweight and blends on effortlessly making it easy to layer if you want more coverage. Like many of the new foundations it also promises to treat and moisturize your skin while it enhancing it. Supermoisture Makeup comes in a wide (17) range of shades so you're sure to find the right match and yes it delivers on that dewy finish promise which gives it extra points with me.

Tomorrow I'll be checking out Chanel's latest offering.

Cheers,

Barb

I'VE MADE MY DECISION

2007-10-22T10:22:00.000-04:00

After thinking and rethinking and spending way too much time in front of the mirror lifting my eyes with the fingers of one hand and smoothing out the wattle beneath my chin with the other; and after asking the opinion of close friends and family and also several members of my ballet class, I'm going under the knife as they used to say or in my case the Active FX Laser and a few strategically placed incisions.
My surgeon Scott WellsM.D. assures my that my years of sun damage will be erased and my skin tighter due to the ongoing collagen boost the Laser provides. My eyes will more resemble their former wide awake selves rather than the tired droop they've been wearing in later years. I've seen Dr. Wells twice and have an appointment later today to fine tune the procedure and pick up my prescriptions.
So,yes I'm actually doing this. The date is November 8 (Election day for my elective surgery)
So stay with me. I'll keep you updated with before and after pictures and all the details. Yes it's a bit scary but blogging about it helps. And an interesting aside. There was not one negative response to the question. Should I do it?

Cheers,
Barb

CAN BOTOX TREAT DEPRESSION?

2007-10-15T09:27:00.000-04:00

My mother and countless others subscribe to the adage that if you look good, you feel better. I tend to be a bit skeptical. However a recent pilot study led by Maryland dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon Eric FinziM.D.,Phd, in which Botox injections were used as a treatment for depression suggests they might just be right.

Ten women all of who met the standards for ongoing major depression, based on their responses to standardized depression surveys, received five Botox injections into their frown muscles. According to Dr Finzi, the injections prevented the patients from frowning and in turn helped to lift their depression.

Now before you jump to the conclusion that it was their improved reflection in the mirror that lifted their spirits, hold on. Dr. Finzi asserts that there is a direct feedback between the frown muscles and the depression center of the brain. He told WebMD "If you can prevent the negative signals that occur when someone frowns, the brain interprets this as meaning that things are better." As one who has wrestled with depression on and off since menopause, it sounds good to me but many in the medical community are skeptical saying that the sample was too small and that the survey didn't follow all the usual scientific guidelines to make it a valid study.

Still I'm encouraged. Just imagine a time when instead of going to the pharmacy to renew your Zoloft, you just pop by the dermatologist for a shot of Bot0x. Now there's a triple winner; insurance pays, depression is alleviated and you look good besides. It's a perscription that would make a beauty addict almost giddy.

Cheers,

Barb

2007-10-08T09:43:00.000-04:00

THREE TO GO

Just three products tucked into that makeup bag and you're good to go!

If you're like me the number of products you're toting around in your makeup bag seems to mushroom overnight. Soon you're spending more time rummaging around for that concealer you know is in there somewhere than you do applying it

The solution is simple; pare down. Now with so many double duty products appearing on the market, it's a breeze.

Start out with a concealer that works as both a highlighter and concealer. MAYBELINE AGE REWIND FACE PERFECTOR does a great job. Erace those dark circles and discolorations with the concealer, then brighten eyelids brow and cheekbone with the high lighter. Don't forget to give special attention (translation a little extra highlighter to the inner eye area.

Cheeks and lips come to life courtesy of a new product from BENEFIT called RUSH HOUR. Housed in a gold cylinder, this luscious sunberry tint is a neutral color that is formulated to work equally well on cheeks, lips or anywhere.

Now all you're left needing is the mascara of your choice! The options are endless. I still have a bit of a problem. I'm addicted to eyeliner. No amount of mascara can make my pale eyes come to life with out it. If only some cosmetic company would come out with a mascara that has an eyeliner on the other end I'd be first in line to purchase it.

Cheers,
Barb

2007-10-03T19:07:00.000-04:00

IS THERE A NIP AND TUCK IN MY FUTURE?

A few years back after seriously researching the pros and cons of plastic surgery, I decided that the face I had was the one I would keep. Let others go under the knife, I would just admire the results and try not to harbor any jealousy. After all there were risks to consider what with all the anesthesia and cutting and what have you and I didn't want my children to have to say that their mother had succumbed to the hereafter while undergoing a face lift. I didn't want to be a woman who felt compelled to have her face"done"in order to feel attractive. I would take the high road and settle for for sags and wrinkles rather than be accused of excess vanity.

Who was I fooling? I am vain. Witness my obsession with each beauty fix that makes its way into Sephora. Not to mention that at different times I have had Restlyn, Collegen and Botox and while I found them somewhat effective, they didn't do enough or last long enough for me to rationalize their cost.

Meanwhile I continued to take note of every face altering product and procedure that came on the market and kept abreast of recent advances in face resurfacing especially with the new and more powerful lasers. I liked their promises of dramatic results with little down time. But would they work for me? I was doubtful. My face was not aging at all as gracefully as I had hoped. I could either make my peace with it or do something to change it and stop bemoaning the situation. Still, being who I am, all I did was think and rethink

Then this summer I received an e-mail from my friend Marcia in which she mentioned in a sort of by the way manner, that she had made an appointment for some facial surgery. "I'm thinking of doing something about my chin and eyes," was the way she put it. Now Marica would be absolutely last on the list of my wide group of friends who I would pick to do such a thing.
Was she sure? I e-mailed back. "Absolutely", she said. She had confidence in the surgeon and this was not the sort of thing she was going to over-think.
When I saw her two weeks after the procedure her eyes were wide and bright, her chin line defined and the skin on her face smooth and glowing without a trace of her previous sun damage. She didn't look done; she looked great. Evidently facial surgery had taken a big leap forward when I wasn't looking. It certainly wasn't the big deal it was even a few years ago.

"Plastic surgeons on the forefront of their profession now take advantage of the advances in lazer surgery and combine them with more traditional methods to get natural looking results with a minimum of incisions and very little down time," Scott B. Wells M.D., a New York City based cosmetic surgeon, said. He is especially enthusiastic about the Active FX Laser. The first of its kind, it is a partially ablative laser with reactionalized technology for skin rejuvenation. It utilizes CO2laser energyto treat fine lines, wrinkles, skin laxity, discoloration and other effects of aging and sun damage in a very fast single treatment. This provides a collagen boost that is then followed with IR(infrared treatment )which further contracts the collagen and continues to stimulate new collagen production. "Used in conjunction with an eye lift and chin restructuring it results in improved facial contours, smooth glowing skin and a much younger and refreshed look that doesn't look at all done," Dr. Wells said.

Just maybe this is what Ive been waiting for. However in all likelihood there will continue to be more technological advances. Should I wait to see what comes down the pike? Should I stick with my original decision and let my face take its downward course or should I follow Marcia's lead? Stayed tuned. I'm still thinking.

Cheers,

Barb

2007-09-27T11:14:00.000-04:00

The Best Face Treatment

A few years back I was stuck in the airport at Aruba and every mirror reflected my tan dehydrated face. Surly it must be the lighting I thought to myself, unwilling to belive I looked that bad. And yes, I had used tons of sunscreen and moisturizer but evidently it hadn't been enough.

I headed for the duty free shop and was buoyed to see that they had a Clarins counter. The salesgirl took a quick look at me and suggested their face oil. Oil for my face? I remember being a bit taken back but there was no time to ponder because they were calling my flight. I purchased something called Santel Face Treatment Oil and applied some before take off and again before landing. I continued to use it at home in place of my regular moisturizer. However once the bottle was empty I didn't replace it and I can't remember why but then I do tend to be fickle about such things

Fast forward to a few weeks ago when the dermatologist prescribed oil topped with lotion for my legs, arms etc. I was so pleased with the results that one morning, on a whim I applied the same mixture to my face, substituting my creme Lancome moisturizer for the lotion. My face has had a dewy glow ever since .
I see that Clarins now makes 3 three different kinds of face oil, and several high end, heavy duty face moisturizers have oil listed as one of their major ingredients. And I seem to remember reading that one of the prominent beauty denizens , maybe Trish or Bobbie mentioned applying oil to one's face. I think I may just be on the cusp of a trend. But whatever, it certainly works for me.
Cheers,
Barb

2007-09-24T16:59:00.000-04:00

The Perfectly Made Up Mouth

It smiles or pouts delectably from the covers of magazines and on TV and in recent years it's been plumbed up considerably. I once read in a magazine the story of a woman who on getting up in the morning, spent her first 30 minutes outlining her lips and filling them in and lord knows what else, so that she could present her husband with a perfectly made up mouth when he awoke.

I've only recently started to ponder such things because until lately my only thought about lipstick was what shade to choose and its staying power. Now I've added creaminess to the list. My lips are always dry. Sun exposure has worsened the problem and lip balm has become my companion.

Add to the evidence that I seldom use lip liner or gloss in combination with my lipstick and you'll say that I don't deserve any better. Yes, I'm lazy that way. I can guarantee that my husband will never be presented with a perfectly made up mouth, at least not by me. So I've continued my hunt for a product that glides on with out drying out, has reasonable staying power (an entire hour and a half ballet class) SPF and a good choice of colors. And recently I found it

Revlon has come out with a new product RENEWIST Lipcolor

It feels great going on. It's patented Pro collegen Moisture Core,actually a dot of cream color that runs through the center of the lip stick, promises to boost moisture 80% while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and enhancing lip fullness over time. All this and it has an SPF of 15 too. I've been using this daily for almost a month and yes, it delivers on it's promise.

It comes in a whooping 24 shades, so you're sure to find one to please. On caveat: It's housed in a clear plastic case that you might hesitate to brandish when your friends whip out the Chanel

Cheers,
Barb

2007-09-20T18:16:00.000-04:00

The Premier Primer

There I was after a two month hiatus back in Sephora not knowing which way to go first. So many new products, so little time. I headed for Benefit where I found that they too had jumped into the primer parade with an entry called"that gal" brightening face primer.
While most primers are housed in a pump bottles or tubes Benefit's is presented in a plastic cylinder capped with a wide perforated top. When you twist the bottom of the cylinder a luscious petal pink cream wiggles its way out.

I headed for the mirror and smoothed it over my face on top of whatever makeup was left from earlier in the day. It had a cool silky feel and I looked brighter immediately. "But you know I still have some other makeup under it" I said to the sales girl when she complimented me. Not to worry, she said. The product could be used alone, under or even on top of makeup. But she still insisted it was a primer??? I had an almost full bottle of Smashbox primer at home so I didn't purchase the new product.
When I started to cleanse my face that night I noticed I looked better than I usually did at that hour which is most often, just this side of hagged. Then I recalled the label which read brightening face primer. Benefit is a bastion of brightening products. Witness their It Stick, High Beam (a favorite of mine)and Eye Bright. All deliver a brightening radiance. This latest product carries on the tradition and an almost full bottle of Smahbox or not I have to add it to my collection.
Cheers,
Barb

2007-09-10T10:11:00.000-04:00

Sure Cure for Dry Skin

I know you're skeptical. I was too when I first heard this solution to alleviate dry and scaly skin. My new dermatologist was peering closely at every inch of my body searching for suspicious looking growths. "There's nothing, she said snapping off her gloves," but your skin is very dry." Well that wasn't news. I've been battling that dryness with an arsenal of lotions and creams,from drug store staples like Vaseline Intensive Care to high end products like Jo Malone, for ages. On the advice of my last dermatologist I shortened my time in the shower and I rubbed my body with safflower oil instead of lotion on the advice of another. This was an OK, not too mention extremely economic solution,until I got a whiff of what smelled suspiciously like a fast food restaurant wafting from my closet.

My new dermatologist had yet another solution. "Use oil on your body and then rub on lotion after. Give the oil a few minute to penetrate before you do." Sounded simple enough but I dislike any two step process. Still I detested even more the vertical lines that dryness was etching on my arms.

Off I went in search of body oil. There were whole sections of bath oil but the pickings were slim when it came to body oil. Finally I found one by Neutrogena (light sesame scented oil)

I followed the dermatologist directions waiting a few, albeit impatient, minutes before I applied the lotion. I then felt like a major oil slick and had to put off getting dressed for another five minutes . It was turning in to the kind of beauty fix that I really dislike; both labor and time intensive.

But it was worth it. My limbs were smoother than I'd seen them in years,the vertical lines were no where in sight and even when I awoke the following morning my skin still looked good. So what's an extra five minutes or so. Some things just warrant a little more time.

Cheers,

Barb

2007-08-07T13:52:00.000-04:00

Beauty on the Cheap

No I haven't sworn off Sephora or left Saks in the lurch. It's just that I have been enjoying this glorious summer in a place far from any mall or upscale store. The nearest location for me to find my beauty product fix is at Rite Aid. I've come up with some winners and now I've discovered another one, Maybelline's AGE REWIND Double Face Perfector.

This wand like product contains concealer on one end and highlighter on the other. I love the idea of two in one as it lessens the number of products I have to carry in my ballet bag, purse or when traveling.

To tell the truth I've never been a big fan of Maybelline except for their mascaras. I assumed their face products were geared to teens and twenty somethings. Then I caught the Age Rewind label in their concealer ad and reconsidered. I'm glad I did. The product which comes in a good range of shades goes on smoothly; the concealer with a sponge applicator, the highlighter with a brush. Both are virtually invisible when blended well. Don't throw the packaging away. There's a helpful diagram for applying the product on the back. They suggest using the highlighter on under eye circles,something I had avoided doing at the suggestion of one or another makeup consultant, and using the concealer for blemishes or brown spots. I found that a little of both did the best job of camouflaging those circles and that the highlighter alone on the lids was a good substitute for shadow, making AGE REWIND Face Perfector a three in one product for me!

Cheers,

Barb

2007-07-30T14:05:00.000-04:00

NAILS TO GO

A confession: until very recently I'd never had a summer when my nails were up to being noticed. Blame it on gardening or extensive time in salt water, but without fail two days after a manicure I was reaching for the remover to erase the remnants of chipped polish. Without polish my nails had that ill groomed look that was difficult to ignore.

Then in one of my aimless forays down the beauty aisle of my local drugstore I found Sally Hansen' Natural Shine Instant Nail Finish. Instant shine spoke directly to me and I immediately purchased it. The product comes in two shades, clear and a pink tint. I opted for the latte. and applied two coats as soon as I got home. The result was shiny, healthy looking , well groomed nails. The transformation took less than five minute and I was so pleased I spent more time than that admiring them. The attractive gold tone cylinder case housing the polish is perfect to tuck in your purse so you can even do your nails on the run. Now I have no more excuses for those ungroomed nails.
My daughter Joan, who has been badgering me to have my nails professionally buffed as she does, recently arrived from CA. She glanced at my nails and remarked, "I see you finally took my advice!" I just smiled.

Cheers, Barb

2007-07-12T09:53:00.000-04:00

AN ABSOLUTE HAVE TO HAVE

There we were in the dressing room after ballet class, repairing our makeup and egos and enthusing about the cute new male teacher. I for one was so enthused that I drew my eyeliner out of bounds ending with an unsightly smudge that stopped the conversation. Not to worry.

In a flash a produced my newest beauty purchase, Revlon's Makeup Eraser Pen.I removed the tip, targeted my mistake and in a second it was gone but the rest of my eye makeup was intact and there was no greasy or oily residue. I've had this product just a week and can't understand why no one has thought of it before. It has also come in handy when my lipstick, manages to escape my carefully drawn lip line. I like it so much that I've already purchased a second one to keep in my makeup drawer at home. Meanwhile, in the dressing room the new teacher was momentarily forgotten as my classmates marveled over my latest find.

Cheers,

Barb

2007-06-12T16:44:00.000-04:00

BEACH CHEATS

There was a time when I never thought about makeup for the beach. Just a comb and some lipstick tucked into the pocket of my beach bag did the trick. Unfortunately those days are gone and being a woman whose face now craves makeup, the idea of showing up bare faced at the shore holds no appeal and few things are more incongruous than the sight of a fully made up woman surrounded by sunlight and sand. A hat and large sunglasses provide effective camouflage but what happens when you decide to go for a swim? In my case, once the glasses are off my under eye circles and uneven skin tone are spotlighted and my pale eyes are all but invisible without liner and mascara. Just lipstick no longer cuts it.
However technology keeps advancing and a trip to my favorite source of all things cosmetic left me with some solutions. Makeup For Ever makes a long lasting waterproof concealer that promises to cover scars and tattoos as well as facial discolorations and under eye circles. It is oil free, has a matte finish and a high concentration of pigment. It goes on smoothly and feels light.
I can't speak for its effectiveness on scars or tattoos but it does hide my pigmentation and under eye circles and most importantly stays put.
Sephora's waterproof kohl pencil liner goes on without any pull or tug and stays right in place without smudging throughout countless swims. It comes in blue or black. I picked the blue and found it makes my eyes appear brighter. In fact I like it so much that I find myself reaching for it even when I'm not headed for the beach.
As for mascara, I yet to find a waterproof one that can beat Maybelline New York VolumExpress Turbo. It's waterproof and smudge proof without leaving behind those annoying clumps and it only takes a few strokes to achieve the look of luxurious lashes.

Cheers,

Barb

2007-06-06T09:54:00.000-04:00

RIMMEL ROCKS

I first stumbled upon Rimmel cosmetics in a drugstore while amusing myself during an over long wait for a prescription. I picked up a lip plumper lipstick for $5.00. as a little reward and have been hooked on their products ever since. Rimmel is a London based company. Their foray into the US hasn't been widely advertised but their wide array of lip products, nail polish and eye pencils are all high quality and can easily compete with department store brands. They have foundations too but at the advice of my mother, who favors only Channel, I have avoided drugstore foundations for years.
Then last week in the dressing room after a tough ballet class, I realized I looked as beat as I felt. Maybe worse. I searched in my makeup bag for the sample size foundation I usually carry to no avail. No big deal except I was also scheduled to attend an important meeting in less than a half hour.
Walmart was the only option on the way and thinking Revlon or maybe L'Oreal I made a pit stop. There I found the largest Rimmel display I had ever seen and among their offerings was something called RECOVER, that had my name on it. Billed as an illuminating, anti- fatigue foundation it had vitamins C and E and was only $5.00. I applied it in the car peering into my rear view mirror. I looked surprisingly better than I expected. Then just to make sure I stuck my head out the window and looked in the side view one which I knew to be less flattering. Still not bad at all. The product covers better than tinted moisturizer but is not as heavy as most foundations and the soft beige color I picked on a whim blended perfectly. Maybe my mother should reconsider.

So now I'm a fan of the brand in its entirety! It great to be able to try new colors and looks without a substantial outlay. Could be that their lack of advertising and bare bones packaging is the reason for their low cost. However change could be on the horizon. I recently noticed that Allure has singled out some Rimmel lipsticks on their editorial pages. Let's hope the prices will hold!
Cheers,
Barb

2007-05-18T12:56:00.000-04:00

GLOWING WITH GLOW FUSION

"Just A bit of concealer, some bronzer and I'm good to go." That snippet of conversation caught my attention and I turned to check out the woman who had uttered it. She was about my age but with the outdoor, healthy sort of good looks that proclaim time spent on the tennis courts or playing golf.

It's the look I crave in summer and that results in me experimenting with several different self tanners that end up just magnifying my discolorations. I also spend more money that I like to admit on bronzers that turn out to be either too orange or too drying or end up caking in my wrinkles.

Somewhere I read that Guerlain had come out with a new moisturizing bronzer but unfortunately my local Sephora didn't have it. I was set to try elsewhere when the salesgirl asked if I had tried the new GlowFusion Bronzer which promised to fill in fine lines and wrinkles while giving a healthy glow. Now that had my name on it and I sprinted over to the display with her following behind. She snapped open an attractive silver compact and reveled a shade called Golden that she thought would work for me. In the past I would have taken it but this summer I am seeking more of just a hint of color(trying to stay away that orange) and so I choose Luminous, their palest tint. I also purchased a large fluffy Sephora brush to apply it with.

At home I swept the blush across each side of my face in a W, starting at the temple going down to the apple of my cheek and up across my nose and stepped back. I looked healthy and yes luminous but I wasn't getting too excited because I've found that sometimes the way I look in my bathroom mirror doesn't translate well to other locations. Instead I gave it my personal Litmus test and one that has sent many products flying back to Sephora. I got out the large magnifying mirror, stood by the window and pulled up the blind flooding the room with light. I scrutinized my reflection from every angle using both magnifications. There was not a hint of caking. The finish had a slight sheen and my lines were defused if not filled in. I too was "good to go."

That night at ballet class my friend Marrieta,who I hadn't seen in awhile, commented on how well I looked. "It's bronzer," I told her. I didn't mention the eyeliner,mascara and lip gloss also adorning my face. After all for me,"good to go" or not, those items are a given.

Cheers,

Barb

2007-05-08T17:29:00.000-04:00

Mexoral On Board !

Well after much research I ordered my Mexoral sun protection on line from La Roche-Posy(a division of L'Oreal). Of course I felt smug about being first on the block and on the blogs to have this long lauded and hard to find product in my possession.
The day it arrived I tore open the box, unsnapped the top of the tube and spread the white cream all over my face and neck. Going on it felt like a rich moisturizer but it was completely absorbed in a matter of minutes. I put the excess on my hands and feeling virtuous and protected and still smug I went out for my power walk.
The next day I saw a Lancome ad for their new sun protection. It's called Expert and yes it contains Mexoral. It was just a regular ad not the big announcement that I would have expected given the former cult status of this product, given the fact that it took forever to be approved by the FDA and people were smuggling it in from Europe. Then this morning I got a call from my daughter, Kim."You know that sunblock you wrote about? I bought it in Eckard (a chain drug store) they even had a coupon and I got $5.00 off so it was $25.00. " Well that certainly took the wind out of my sails, seeing in that my eagerness to finally get my hands on it I paid $30. plus $5.00 shipping.
Only time will tell if it lives up to all the hype.
Cheers,
Barb

2007-04-24T14:31:00.000-04:00

Sorting Out That Sun Protection and Searching for Mexoryl

Okay,I'll admit it. I'm a reluctant user of sunscreen, sunblock etc. Yes I do slather it on and follow all the rules rubbing it in thirty minutes before exposure and reapplying throughout the day etc. etc. and each summer I head for the drug store and check out what's new in the world of sun protection. What I'm really looking for doesn't exist but I'm always hopeful that someday there will be a product that will provide adequate protection from those harmful rays while allowing me to replicate that golden tan I used to get from iodine and baby oil.
After all these years and two episodes of squamous cell skin cancer, it's still hard to picture a pale me in the summer. I love being tan. The summer sun transforms me. A few sessions in the sun makes my eyes appear bluer, my hair blonder, my spider veins invisible and even the stubborn cellulite on my thighs look firmer. Just add a tan and any body part looks more appealing.
But it's more than that. I crave the caress of the sun on the side of my face the way a smoker looks forward to that first drag of the day. The sun energizes me, lifts my spirits and its hard to imagine that something that feels so good could be so bad.
Enough complaining. I'm out to stock up on sunblock which until recently I confused with sunscreen. So what's the difference? Suncreen contain chemicals like PABA, benzophenones, cinnamates and salicylates that absorb UV rays. Sunblocks reflect those rays instead of absorbing them and contain such chemicals an titanian dioxide and zinc oxide. Remember that white streak on the lifeguard's nose?)
The sun protection product you chose should offer protection against both UVB (burning) and UVA (aging)rays. Each year the SPF factor keeps climbing and now some products now offer SPF 70 or more So does that mean that you can bask from dawn to dusk. Not necessarily It just means you have a bit more protection in case you didn't apply the right amount in the first place. Recommended is a teaspoon for your face and a tablespoon each for each arm and leg.

I intended to stick to my old favorite Neutrogena Age Shield Sunblock SPF45. Then I recalled that Mexoryl Sunsreen long popular in Canada, Europe Asia and Australia was finally approved late last summer for sale in the US and I started to get that reved up just have to have it feeling. However a thorough search showed it hasn't made it to my neck of the woods yet but it is available for sale on the web. Several manufacturers are making it among them Ombrelle, a division of L'Oreal,
So what's so good about it . Well Dr. Vincent DeLeo, chairman of dermatology at Columbia University claims "It produces a product which gives us almost perfect protection against sunshine." He's not alone in his praise. His colleague Dr. Darrell Rigel, clinical professor of dermatology at NYU claims that Mexoryl is the number one individual ingredient in terms of protection from ultraviolet A radiation. Those are the rays that penetrate deeper into the skin down to those layers that are responsible for skin tone and elasticity. When they're damaged by those nasty rays you end up with lines wrinkles and all other sort of unsightly aging things.
Mexoryl may just be what I've been searching for. I' m ordering mine today and will report back soon. There's nothing like a bit of hope to buoy one along.
Cheers,
Barb

2007-04-04T10:07:00.000-04:00

WON'T YOU MAKE MY BROWN EYES BLUE?

Benefit, queen of the quick fix, has a new product with yet another catchy name. This one is a mascara, Bad Gal Blue. OK so it won't change your eye color but it will enhance it and, more importantly to me anyway, make the whites brighter.
Don't be put off by the bright blue color on the wand. Technology allows the blue shade which does not appear the same color when applied to the lashes, to optically brighten eye whites and enhances the lighter flecks in the iris. It can be applied alone or over black mascara to just the tips of the lashes.
I have sensitive eyes and the whites have never been as bright as I would have liked. Age hasn't helped. I've read about a product used by models for that purpose but have not been able to find it and tend to think it may be a perscription item
My problem became more acute not long ago when I made the mistake of taking ballet class sans eye makeup . Afterwards the teacher, a young Russian man took me aside, which in ballet class is a rare occurrence. I was jubilant. He must have finally noticed that my pirouettes had improved. In fact I rarely lost my balance half way through anymore.
"Are you Okay? he inquired.
" I'm fine," I answered,guessing he had missed those perfect pirouettes. "Why?'
" Well your eyes look sort of inflamed ."
Needless to say , Bad Gal Blue had my name on it and I snapped it up as soon as it appeared at my local Sephora. And yes the whites of my eyes do appear whiter though maybe not as white as I would like but then I'm still working on those pirouettes too.
Cheers,
Barb

2007-03-30T09:41:00.000-04:00

THEY'RE BACK!!! DRESSES THAT IS

Noticeably absent or in short supply for the past few seasons, dresses have finally made a major comeback. No longer tucked away unobtrusively among the sportswear they have once again claimed a department of their own. From sundresses to shirt dresses (a style you should purchase with caution) there is plenty to chose from and for quick and stylish dressing nothing beats a dress.

In their eagerness to assure the dress a place in every woman's wardrobe the designers have pulled out all the stops. You'll find them in styles both long and short and narrow or full. What ever your favorite, it's out there. However proceed carefully because there are some potential pitfalls.
For us more seasoned gals, short and full is not generally a good option unless you're wearing the dress as a tunic over narrow slacks and even the it can be tricky. However if your legs are good, short and narrow is a winner. In fact the shift, of which you'll find many, is almost universally flattering. Just make sure it skims the hips, shows a hint of butt and is no longer than just below the knee. If you're proud of your waist, you can belt it and adjust the length accordingly.
The wrap dress, first made famous by Diane Von Furstenberg is also flattering and easy to wear. Not so the shirt dress with a full skirt belted at the natural waistline. This style just ends up looking dowdy unless you are very tall and very thin. Banana Republic showed one in early spring that is now cluttering the sale racks, a sure sign that it didn't flatter many.

If,when appraising a dress, the first adjective that comes to mind is "cute", just walk on by. We're looking for elegant or sexy. Some manufacturers have an affinity for small dark prints, the kind you may remember your grandmother wearing. Although they may look stylish on a twenty year old, they are NOT for us.

During last summer's heat wave I found my self envying my friend Pat, an artist with a good eye for what flatters. While I tried to beat the heat in shorts and tank tops she looked cool and elegant in sundresses. She had snapped up a few at H&M in early spring. I rushed out to get some in July but they were nowhere to be found. Now I've seen them in stores from Old Navy to Anthropology and Bloomingdales and I'm stocking up!
Cheers,
Barb

2007-03-16T20:46:00.000-04:00

Does Smashbox Have Another Hit?

Well that depends on who is using it. Let me start out by admitting that I was a reluctant Smashbox user. I heard great things about their primer which is applied under foundation but didn't buy it. Much as I like looking good I don't want to devote too much of my time to the process . I strive to keep my required beauty products to a minimum and thus try to avoid any two step procedure.
Then my daughter Joan,also a beauty product junkie, gave me a sampleof the primer. Yes it does make a difference. Lines are diminished and makeup goes on more smoothly. It also makes thin skin look thicker. I save it for evenings out or those occasions such as meeting someone I haven't seen in a while, which raises the looking good stakes!
Then I heard about Smashbox's latest product, a blush that goes on over bare skin and adjusts to your complexion. It's said to give a natural,fresh from a run, flush. I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. Any product that even hints of natural speaks directly to me. Even as beauty products clutter my drawers and spill out of my medicine cabinet I try to kid myself that my looks are almost natural.
At Sephora I actually snatched the small tube filled with clear liquid gel out of the twenty something sales assistant's hand. I smoothed a generous amount over my cheeks and looked in the mirror. I had that healthy pink natural looking flush but interspersed were dots and patches of bright pink. I knew immediately what had happened and looked in dismay towards the sales assistant. "It's making my age spots darker. " Lets try a little less," she suggested. In my eagerness I had put on a large glob . She removed what was on my face and applied it more sparingly. The pink spots were not as bright but were still visible. I've had the same trouble with self tanners. My skin tone is just too uneven.
On the way out, after buying a new lip gloss to lift my spirits, I picked up the blush again. It's not for me but it's still a great product and if I were to bet I would say it's destined to become an even bigger hit than the primer.
Cheers, Barb

2007-03-12T09:57:00.000-04:00

The Inside Scoop On Beauty Products

If you're like me the first question you have about a beauty product is will it work? Next, is it worth the money? The second question is particularly important because the price of those anti- aging creams that are flooding the market have skyrocketed.
I recently discovered a site where those and practically any other beauty questions you have can be answered: Just log on to BeautyBrains. com. The site is written by two former cosmetic chemists and they REALLY know their business. I was so impressed that I put a link to their site on my Blog Roll. If you want to check them out just click on the link.
Incidentally after reading my post about Kohl eyeliner they e-mailed me to advise my readers to stay away from REAL Kohl because it contains lead.
Cheers,
Barb

2007-03-05T10:11:00.000-05:00

The Best Eye Pencil

My arsenal of sharpened eye pencils stand at attention in a small ceramic cup. I'm a democratic purchaser and the mix includes Channel and Dior along with MAC and Bennefit as well as drug store brands like Cover Girl. I usually make my choices based on how a product looks on someone else, an ad that talks to me or a reasonably priced product(read cheap) when I'm trying to curtail my cosmetic budget.
I honestly don't remember how I found my current favorite Prestige Soft Blend Khol Eyeliner I think I wanted to try black as opposed to the gray or dark blue I usually wear and didn't want too spend much just in case I didn't like it.
I needn't have worried. This one is a KEEPER.The consistency is as soft as the name promises but unlike many soft pencils it doesn't wind up messy and smudged under your eyes. The line you draw is the one that will still be there hours later. I did like the black, but only for evening. My eyes are light as is my skin and the look was too stark for day. However they have a wide array of colors and Chamomile, a greenish gray, I had never seen in any line before is just perfect for me. Give Prestige Soft Blend Khol a try.
Cheers,
Barb

2007-02-20T09:42:00.000-05:00

Guess Who's Courting Us?

It's none other than DOVE and just as in their previous ad campaigns they are using real women not professional models in their ads. This time they are promoting their new Pro-Age line, aimed at women over 50. Just wait until you see these women. They are nude, but discretely posed. However in full view are their age spots, wrinkles and fat rolls and a prouder, happier group of women you would be hard pressed to find. Their smiles leap off the page. True beauty is about acceptance and loving yourself and they certainly epitomize those qualities. What a lesson for us all. I found the ads so inspiring that I quickly exited to my local drug store to check out the products.
The line is extensive including skin and hair care products all especially formulated to enhance and treat our special needs. They contain super moisturizing ingredients such as glycerin and olive oil.
I picked up a tube of their hand cream said to promote faster cell turnover along with nourishment and protection for even tone and texture. Then I glanced at the body moisturizers of which I already have an extensive collection. However I am always on the lookout because I have yet to find one that says THIS IS IT! My criteria is a product that will erase or camouflage for a day or so those vertical lines on my arms that shout "old lady". Not all older women have them. My informal survey tells me they are more prevalent on slender women who have had, and are now paying for, their day in the sun. Those lines do not seem to affect our more well padded friends as much. Anyway Dove has a regular moisturizer and also one for extra dry skin called Creamy Oil Moisturizer. Of course I had to buy it and tried it as soon as I got home. No matter that there was dinner to cook and phone calls to be returned. I have my priorities. The product is thick and creamy and was absorbed more quickly than I expected. My lines were nowhere in sight. However this had happened with other creams as well so I didn't get too excited. The litmus test would be how my arms looked the next day. You guessed it the first thing I did was check them out. The lines were back but much less visible. After a quick shower I applied more of the moisturizer and made it all the way through ballet class with out a line in sight.
Dove's Pro-age models and all ROCKS
Cheers, Barb

2007-02-04T11:53:00.000-05:00

Who's A Babe Over 60?

Okay so babes and 60 are not exactly synonymous but times are changing. Sixty is no longer what it was when our mothers reached that milestone. As a group we are healthier, more active and vibrant than any previous generation and as the Boomers join our ranks, the stereotype of the little old lady,frail and bent with tightly permed white hair will be put to rest. We're redefining what 60 and over looks like
That being said,what is a Babe?
A Babe is a woman who maintains her sensuality throughout her life.
She abhors helmet hair,obvious makeup,and anything that screams "matronly".
A Babe does not own a pair of plain white cotton underpants.
She would rather arrive at a party with wet hair than don one of those plastic rain bonnets.
A Babe in comfortable in her skin and has developed her own sense of style. She incorporates elements of current fashion but isn't a slave to it.
She is determined to look attractive and enjoy each stage of life.

2007-01-29T13:02:00.000-05:00

Winter Skin Pick-Me-Up

Come this time of year the usually pale face that stares back at me each morning has taken on a grayish cast and its surface is dry and dull. What to do? Get a facial?
New makeup? Acually I'm on austerity due to overspending for Christmas.
As I contemplated my image I recalled a product I had seen by Philosophy,a company I always had an affinity for mostly based on the names they give their products. There's Grace, Hope in a Jar, and my favorite, When Hope is Not Enough.
The product I was thinking of had a simple no nonsence name, peptide peels to go and at $35. was right for my budget. The box said that the 3 step system combined the best of microdermabrasion and chemical peels along with a jar of 30 microdelivery mini peel pads saturated with lactic acid and antioxidents for daily use.
Step I involves covering face and neck with Vitamin c/ peptide resurfacing crystals and then applying the latic/salicylic acid activating gel. You leave it on for just three minutes and then rinse well. The box also contains a bottle of Purity made simple facial cleanser. The whole process took about five minutes.
Afterwards my skin looked polished with a rosy glow,with not a tinge of gray in sight. Besides which I had enough of the products left for at least three more peptide peels not counting the mini peel pads.

2007-01-17T10:21:00.000-05:00

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE GAP?

The financial pages report that the Gap(Old Navy, Banana Republic) is sinking fast. Evidently the young demographic that they are geared towards has elected to take their credit cards else where.
Over a year ago they tried to buoy business by establishing a new division called Towne and Forth. Maybe the name was their first mistake. It certainly gave no hint as to what they were selling. I for one thought it was men's wear. So I was surprised to see an ad for them in MORE magazine featuring attractive, smart looking dresses with sleeves no less, stylish but not matronly. I looked forward to checking them out but they never opened in my part of the country.(Long Island, NYC)
Boomers grew up with the GAP and if the population I encounter on my frequent visits is any indication,many still shop there and also at Banana Republic searching for updated tee shirts, jeans and workout wear. However those basics are in short supply. The Gap is still courting the teens and twenty somethings with Abercrombie style knock offs. Banana Republic in its latest collection looks like an Ann Taylor wannabe but a shade more boring. Judging from the overstocks, this tactic is not working. The Boomers, the first wave of which joined our over 60 group last year is the fasting growing demographic in the nation, They clutch a good handful of disposable income and are hungry for the kind of good quality, casual clothes that will fit their active lifestyle. It's a natural for the GAP
They would do well to take another look at Towne & Forth and try to remedy whatever happened there. Maybe a lack of advertising? As for their original Gap and Banana Republic stores, do a test market with some stylish, well cut basics for the Boomers and the rest of us, keeping in mind that we don't buy boring.
Cheers, Barb

2007-01-11T15:39:00.000-05:00

A Little Face Lift

My friend Mary is one who shares my enthusiasm for all beauty enhancers and is quick to try what is new and promising. She even tried botox and lipo long before they became household words. Lately she been talking about getting a little lift,
so when I was looking for her Christmas gift at Sephora and spied a box that said Natural Light Face Lift Duo,I felt I had stumbled upon the perfect present and made a beeline to the checkout counter.
At home I looked at it more carefully. This little goody it put out by Bare Escentuals. The compact sized container contains two shades of what is referred to as bareMinerals, one a bit darker than the other. The darker is applied to the upperface, around the eyes, brow bone etc.and the lighter to those creases and annoying lines that appear between nose and mouth and even worse, to my way of thinking, between mouth and chin.
I don't know what I expected but I wasn't too impressed. It sounded rather simplistic and was nothing I hadn't heard or read before. Was this what I wanted to give Mary?
In a flash I ripped open the box and container and grabbed a brush from my collection. (They sell a special brush but it is extra.) and applied it as directed. I did look better, but as my skin is very dry I was afraid that the minerals or what have you would be drawn to my wrinkles. A look in the magnifying mirror reveled no trace.
A while later I went to meet my friend Marcia at Starbucks. Marcia is a woman who is ignorant of any kind of artifice. While her own skin always glows she can never remember what shade and kind of foundation it is that she smooths on her cheeks other than she thinks it's Clinique.
So I'm talking and suddenly she interrupts, something Marcia who is the best listener I know never does,and says."You know you look very good."
Well that did it! I kept the face lift duo and bought Mary a ruched velvet scarf that she absolutely loved!

2007-01-01T16:22:00.000-05:00

TRYING A NEW FOUNDATION

"How does it feel?" the girl smoothing Estee Lauder's Resilience Lift Extreme Ultra Firming Makeup over my face inquired. "Like silk." I replied, a bit impatient. I was more interested in seeing how it looked. That surge of new makeup induced hope was charging though my veins. Finally she held up the mirror? She had spent a lot of time testing my skin to get the right shade but I wasn't too sure about it. Could be it was the store light but I thought my skin had a slightly gray cast. She was reassuring and sent me on my way with a generous sample to use while I made up my mind. At home I tried it again. The color looked better in my bathroom mirror and much better with the addition of blush and lip gloss. As a matter of fact it matched my rather pale skin exactly and evened out my skintone. Too often,left to my own devices I tend to use foundation to give my skin more color and end up looking like I'm obviously wearing makeup. Now I looked like myself, only better. And what about the lift? Well, my face felt a bit tighter but I couldn't swear that it looked any firmer. Maybe I was unrealistic in my expectations but the firming factor aside,it is a nice foundation

2006-12-01T17:14:00.000-05:00

CRAZY FOR CARGO

We sit three chairs in a row at my hair salon,our wet hair slicked back baring our faces, eyes straight ahead appaising our reflections. Not my best moment. It's at this point that I usually wonder why I didn't apply more,concealer, blush or what have you. I also wonder why the quality of the mirrors is so poor,given that this is a temple of beauty.
As the scissors snip above I usually continue to pretend to stare straight ahead but instead move my eyes to the side just to get a peek at how my neighbor is faring. Are the lines between her nose and mouth as prominent as mine appear in this questionable mirror? Are her undereye circles as dark?.
At my last appointment I arived late and hadn't had a chance to touch up my makeup since I'd applied it early in the morning. I slipped into the chair and bracing my ego, eyed my reflection. Where were those undereye shadows? And those lines were not nearly as definded as I expected. Had they changed those mirrors? Could my vision be worsening? My eyes stayed peeled at my reflection. What had I done differently?
Then I remembered. Instead of my usual blush I had used a new one sent to me by my daughter. It's realy a bronzer,she wrote, you brush it all over your face.
This little wonder is put out by Cargo and it's called Beach Blush. The shade she picked out for me is Coral Beach and its tin container gives no hint to the magic inside. This multihued wonder, which you swirl arond with a brush (not included) defuses lines and imperfections, and softens shadows. I've tried several bronzers but never, until now,found one that I absolutely loved. The rest were either too creamy,drying,or orange. Cargo's a winner!

2006-10-31T14:38:00.000-05:00

AN UN-GLAMOROUS BEAUTY PRODUCT

I awoke this morning with clogged sinuses and chapped lips. When I squinted into the mirror my hair looked as I had stuck my finger in an electrical outlet. Then I realized that the sound I'd heard during the fog of sleep had been the heat chugging up from the basement, drying the air along with me. Time to get out the humidifier.

It's hard to believe what a lack of humidity can do to your hair and complexion. A few years ago I learned that what my mother always said, you need to keep that humidifier going during those cold weather nights or else face the consequences, was true. No night cream, no matter how luxurious can duplicate its benefits. I just wish that someone would invent a small one that's a bit more attractive and maybe could function with out such maintenance as weekly cleanings and occasional filter changes.
But such is the price of beauty! And speaking of beauty, Lucky Magazine and the Coutorture Blog Community are teaming up for one of Coutorture's fabulous giveaways so sign on and good luck.
Cheers,
Barb

2006-10-27T13:50:00.000-04:00

Hair That Shimmers and Shines
There I was my head hanging back over the shampoo sink while the colorist and her assistant peered at my hair,picking up a strand here and there appraising the results. I waited, hoping I wouldn't have to go back under the accelerator. Then the verdict was in and the colorist snapped off her gloves and nodded toward the assistant "Great, cap it." "Cap it?" I inquired "It's a glaze,just goes on for five minutes and it makes your hair shiny." So now I knew.
Maybe you've experienced it too. You come out of the salon after having your hair colored and besides having those nasty roots camouflaged your renewed color has depth and your hair is so unbelievably shiny that you find yourself spending quite a bit of time searching for your reflection just to enjoy the sight. However despite your best efforts within a month that shine has dulled and if it's like my hair, it is at that point, rather lifeless.
So you can imagined how excited I was to see thst John Frieda, whose products for high-lighted hair I use, had recently added a glaze to his line. It claims to and I read right from the bottle, refresh dull blonde hair with a touch of fresh blonde color, silky texture and glistening shine. And do you know what? This is a product that delivers on its promise. The results were more than I had hoped for. Now, five weeks after getting my highlights done my hair has that fresh from the salon look. The glaze also come in shades for brown and red hair.

2006-10-24T15:00:00.000-04:00

There's Nothing Like A Little Camouflage With Color.

Every once in a while,don't ask me why I try the bare-faced look. No makeup except for eyes,lips and cheeks. You're laughing already. I think I try to fool my self in to believing that I don't need much camouflage in order to look good. Talk about denial! This summer was one of those times. It was only sunblock and concealer for me and absolutely no positive feedback.
Come fall I decided to try some tinted moisturizer. I'd tried several in the past but most were too drying, or came in only one tint etc. Anyway, they were never the success I hoped they would be. Then on a browse through Sephora I discovered Cosmedicine. It's a new line of skin care products and among its offerings is Honest Face Skin Tint and Treatment with a SPF of 20.
Sephora has started to label products for the kind of skin condition they are most effective on which certainly should cut down on the returns! Honest Skin is targeted for dry,aging or sensitive. Since mine fit all of the above criteria I just had to try it. it comes in four shades so I was able to find a good match. It has a silky feel like the best moisturizers,was quickly absorbed and left my face with a subtle glow that lasted all day! Best of all it evened out my skin tone! This looks like a keeper and repeat purchase. The insert says that in tests users saw a 72% reduction in dryness and a 41% increase in elasticity. I can't comment on that yet but I can tell you I've gotten some positive feedback from my ballet pals who are a very discerning group.
Cheers,
Barb
[Sephora][beauty]

2006-10-12T10:35:00.000-04:00

Great Wrinkle Eraser From Kiehl's

Kiehl's, a company that has been around for over one hundred years and is somewhat of a cult favorite, continues to quietly expand its product offerings. They recently launched Kiehl's Dermatologist Solutions.
I purchasded their Powerful Strenghth Line-Reducing Concentrate. With a whooping 10.5% dose of vitamin C it promises to signifacantly reduce deep wrinkles around the eyes and those anoying marionttee lines between the nose and chin in just three months. I've been using it for three weeks and my skin is noticably smoother and clearer. My discoloration which it didn't make any promises about but which vitamin C is know to help, is also much improved.
My prior experience with vitamin C was positive but drying for my aging sensitive skin. This formulation is creamy and even feels good with out moisturizer over it. Add to that, at $55. for 1.7 ounce it's a bargain. Most vitamin C formulations of the same strength cost twice that.
kiehl's line reducing concentrate

2006-09-18T16:55:00.000-04:00

Let's Hear From You!

If you have a favorite body or facial moisturizer please share their names with our readers.
All replies will be published.
Cheers, Barb

2006-09-18T16:54:00.000-04:00

Two Great Products to Repair Sun Ravaged Skin.

Yes I was diligent about applying and re-applying sun block. I also wore a hat and sat under an umbrella when at the beach. However when I arrived home from vacation my trusty bathroom mirror revealed a face more blotchy and drier than the one I viewed before I left.

The good news is that a quick trip to Sephora and a stop at the drugstore solved my problem.
At Sephora, I passed on my regular moisturizer (Cliniques Super defense ) and splurged instead on Decleor's Nutri Delice Ultra Nourishing Cream. Fortified with cereals and essential oils it was just what my skin was craving. After two days I was looking decidedly better. After a week my skin continues to improve so much that I may say goodby to my former favorite.
At the drug store I purchased Jergens Shea Butter which promised to turn my elephant textured limbs into radiantly soft skin. Okay so that an impossible task but my skin, especially on my upper arms and legs, looks markably improved.

2006-08-31T11:36:00.000-04:00

What body part most accurately revels your age??? If you answered hands you're right on target. A recent survey in which volunteers were asked to determine a women's age by viewing her hands came to that conclusion. But before you recoil in horror and reach for the gloves there was one exception. They assessed those hands adorned with jewelry and nail polish as younger than their actual age. So break open the vault and make an appointment for that manicure and any time you decide to take the all natural route with you nails, as I did this summer, think again!

2006-08-30T15:18:00.000-04:00

Barb's Beauty tips for Babes Over 60

2006-08-22T10:59:00.000-04:00

"Ten minutes," the pharmacist said when I dropped off a prescription. Not to worry it gave me time to browse the beauty aisle and see what was new. There in an unassuming display I found a London based cosmetic company called Rimmel. I'd never heard of them either but one of their products was a lip plumper lipstick priced at $5.99 and I thought what the heck. A few hours later my lips boasted a delicate raspberry shine and were plumper than I'd seen them in recent years. Next day I went back and tried their eye liner pencil ($2.99.) available a wide variety of colors. It went on easily without any pulling or tugging and stayed put. Give them a try and let me know what you think.
Cheers,
Barb

2006-08-11T15:35:00.000-04:00

Barb's Beauty tips for Babes Over 60