Put Away That Hand Lotion!

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

HOW TO LOOK GREAT IN A DRESS

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?

HELP FOR PUFFY EYES AND DARK CIRCLES

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.

WHAT TO TAKE TO FLORIDA

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!

BEWARE THAT SPF!

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

Does Olay Filling and Sealing WrinkleTreatment Work?

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

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!

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

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