AllinGoodFace's blog

An "Oprah Endorsed" Collagen Cocktail!?

2008-11-21T10:32:41-06:00

Oprah is often the first to
reveal gadgets, inventions and health breakthroughs to the world, so
it's really no wonder that she'd be the first to reveal a secret
"beauty weapon" that has been popular among the women of Japan for
years.

Have you
ever wondered why Japanese woman have such beautiful youthful skin?
Besides their diligent avoidance of exposure to the sun, they have
another little secret, which Oprah shared on her show yesterday. They
drink collagen and they drink a lot of it.

Collagen, the main protein
of connective tissue in animals, is a long, fibrous, structural protein
that gives strength to tissues and cells. It is also responsible for
skin strength and elasticity, and its degradation leads to the
formation of wrinkles that accompany aging.

In Tokyo, you can buy bottles containing 10,000 mg of collagen
dissolved in a vitamin and mineral packed peach-flavored solution for
approximately US$2 (230 yen). And remarkably, you don't even have to go
to a specialty store to buy the product. It is readily available at
the corner convenience store.

Japanese
health and beauty companies have been packaging the stuff and selling
it in bulk to the consumer, netting millions of dollars of profit each
year.

Now
that Oprah has put her golden magic wand on this beauty secret and
shared it with the masses, we are sure that the sales of collagen will
soar--especially among the fabulously vain and youth obsessed American
woman.

You can buy collagen drinks at: http://www.888ageless.com. The version that they sell called, Toki, costs $150 for a 60 day supply. Not cheap, but less than what many woman spend at Starbucks--and better for your skin!

Melissa

www.allingoodface.com

StriVectin-SD: Better Than Botox?

2008-09-28T12:40:15-05:00

StiVectin–SD
is a topical cream, for wrinkle reduction, which was once in the
spotlight and heralded as providing some of the most dramatic and
noticeable results of any product in history. When it first came out
it was literally flying off the shelves and nearly impossible to keep
in stock. StriVectin took a backseat when Botox hit the wrinkle
reduction market by storm. Botox, an injectable, provides instant
results while Stivectin-SD, a topical treatment requires a bit of
patience to see the results. StiVectin is fighting back and now is
advertised with the tagline: “Better than Botox”.

With that being said, StiVectin-SD,
remains a formidable force in the anti-aging arsenal available to those
who wish to ward off and reduce wrinkles. Originally developed to
reduce the visibility of stretch marks following pregnancy, it was
discovered to dramatically
improve the appearance of: indented surfaces, smooth surfaces, skin
firmness and irregularities in skin discoloration

StriVectin-SD
includes a proprietary combination of skin firming agents,
elasticizers, and skin hydrators, adding up to one of the most
effective and most powerful topical formulation for stretch mark reduction and wrinkle reduction currently available. Clinical studies have proven it’s ability to reduce crows feet and other superficial wrinkles in 93% of those tested.

And
despite the success and rise of Botox use, StiVectin-SD remains a
steady big seller in the topical anti-agining market. Priced at about
$140 for a 6 oz. tube, it was once thought to be on the high end in the
price range of products. The eye cream is $59 for a 1.5 ounce tube,
which actually makes it quite comparable and even priced slightly lower
than popular “designer eye creams” on the market.

Instructions for Use: When used as a wrinkle remover, one tube will last approximately 6 months.

Begin with clean, dry skin. Apply StriVectin-SD three times daily (do not exceed three applications per 24-hour period).

Use sparingly. StriVectin-SD is a concentrated formula.

Gently massage StriVectin-SD into the target area, using a circular motion, until completely absorbed.

StriVectin-SD penetrates and is absorbed immediately, leaving your skin youthful, smooth, and silky.

StriVectin also offers a variety of other products including Lumedia, which targets hyperpigmented age spots.

StiVectin-SD is availabe without a prescription and is available in stores everywhere. The best price we found for this product was at Amazon.com for $134 for a 6 oz. tube.

Melissa Sebastien

www.allingoodface.com

Lost in the Lipstick Jungle

2008-09-20T14:17:56-05:00

Lipstick
is perhaps the most powerful makeup tool available in the arsenal of
possibilities. Providing that dramatic statement and transformation
that women are seeking in their makeup, it seems to have been around
forever. Well at least since 60 BC, when Cleopatra wore it.
Variations of the pigment, oil and wax formulas have graced our mouths
ever since–even surviving periods in history in which it was banned for
being “devil paint”!

It’s
the role lipstick played in glamorizing the sirens of the silver
screen, though, that brought lipstick into the mainstream, where it
remains today. Doesn’t it seem Hollywood always seems
to have a role in our beauty trends? Now some 92 million women (and
let’s not leave out the cross-dressing men!) don’t leave home without
the little miraculous cylinder.

Lipstick
possesses the ability to brighten and define our faces, make us look
alive and more polished in a single swoosh of the tube. My maternal
grandmother never wore a single stitch of makeup her entire life, except lipstick. It was “Zinc Pink” by Revlon and it matched her frosted nails.

Even
with all of it’s “rock our world” capabilities, lipstick has some
bummer qualities too. It can be messy, smelly, sticky and fickle.
Some variations seem to wear off before you’ve finished your first cup
of morning coffee. And the ones that claim to last a really long time
are often thick and uncomfortable.

So what’s a girl to do? Here’s a list of some lipsticks that industry experts and top makeup artists consider, hands down, the best for stay put coverage and comfort.

1. MAC Pro Longwear Lipcolour
This product won’t smudge, run or transfer. It’s got a glamorous wet, glossy shine like you see on magazine cover models., $19.50

2. Clinique Stay the Day Lip Colour
Clinique
says part one of this dual-formula lipstick sweeps on full-coverage
color while the other part seals it in ‑- for 10 hours. It has two ends ‑- one with the color and one with a gloss, $16.50

3. Stila Twinset Demi Crème + Shine
Stila has a rich, luxurious lip color that lasts and lasts. We love that the twinset comes in one convenient package to both color and coat, $37

4. Estée Lauder Pure Color Long-Lasting Lipstick
Estée Lauder touts this product as intense, high-shine color in a long-wearing formula that pampers and comforts. The consistency is smooth and creamy, $22

Melissa

www.allingoodface.com

It's Spa Week!

2008-09-17T13:34:20-05:00

It’s Spa Week!

What is Spa Week?

Spa week is a twice a year promotional event where participating
spas offer $50 spa treatments. It happens spring and fall in most
major markets.

The fall spa week takes place on the West Coast, September 15th-21,
2008, and the East Coast/Midwest, October 13th-19, 2008. If you’re
going to participate and take advantage of the discounts, you better
get on it!

Remember, not every spa participates and not everything on their
menu is discounted. Usually just a few treatments are reduced to $50.
It’s a good time to tryout a new place or a new treatment.

To get the $50 treatment you first need to register at Spaweek.org.
Log in, then click on your city or state to see a list of
participating spas and the treatments they offer. Once you see a
treatment you want, call the spa directly to make your reservation. The
spa will ask for your credit card number to secure the reservation.

One
final note, you can try as many treatments as you want. But your body
has limits. So don’t get two facials or two microdermabrasion sessions
in one week. It’s not good for your skin. Instead, try treatments that
complement each other like a facial, body treatment and massage.

Also, it’s polite to tip on the full amount of the service, not on the $50 charge.

Melissa

www.allingoodface.com

How to Look Ten Years Younger in Ten Days?

2008-09-14T09:42:36-05:00

How To Look Ten Years Younger In Ten Days?

What’s
the number one anti-aging breakthrough of the decade? Well according
to experts, including many top cosmetic dermatologists, it’s something
called Fractional CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing. With it’s claims to erase up to ten years off your face, it’s taking the skin rejuvenation industry by storm.

Fractional
CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing combines the technology and effectiveness of
carbon dioxide lasers with a new application technique. The carbon
dioxide laser has long been used for dramatic wrinkle reduction and has
been considered the gold standard in the industry. The new application
process, Fractional CO2, delivers the same powerful results but with
far less harsh side effects.

Here’s
how it works. As we age, our bodies collagen is destroyed naturally
and through exposure to sunlight and pollution. Collagen is the main
protein of connective

tissue that keeps our skin wrinkle free, supple and youthful. When the
collagen breaks down the result is wrinkles and sagging skin.

This
CO2 laser penetrates beams of light energy deep into the skin,
stimulating it to rapidly start rebuilding collagen. The breakthrough
part is that the Fractional CO2 does this in a way that prevents damage
to the surface of the skin. As a result, the patient
requires little downtime while still reaping the vast benefits of the
procedure. Over the next few days and weeks following the procedure,
some of the benefits include decreased wrinkles as well as significant
tightening of the skin.

Fractional
CO2 Laser Resurfacing is a lot less expensive than some invasive
procedures that require surgery, but it isn’t cheap. The cost to have
the procedure is between $3,000-$5,000, depending on how many sessions
you require. (Most need one or two sessions). When considering the
price though, remember that this procedure treats several skin issues
including wrinkles, sagging, melasma (hyperpigmentation), acne, scars
and even eliminates pre-cancers. So you do get a lot of bang for the
buck.

For more information about this procedure, including before and after pictures, go to: http://www.allingoodface.com/2008/09/13/how-to-look-ten-years-younger-in-ten-days/

Melissa Sebastien

www.allingoodface.com

What's a Medi-Spa?

2008-09-12T22:42:22-05:00

What’s a Medi-Spa?

A medical spa is a hybrid between a medical clinic and a day spa that operates under the supervision of a doctor. Medi-spas are the fastest growing segment of the spa industry.

Medical spas tend to have a more clinical atmosphere and aren’t always the first choice for relaxation. Rather, the
emphasis is on results-oriented treatments and skin rejuvenation
treatments like injectables to manage wrinkles, laser treatments to
treat brown spots and spider veins, and tightening technologies to
delay more invasive cosmetic procedures that would require surgery.

Injectables
administered at a typical medi-spa include Botox, Restalyne, Juvaderm,
Radiesse and others. Laser treatments include IPL, Fraxel, CO2
Fraction among others. The menus of medi-spas usually also include
microdermabrasion and agressive peels including glycolic, ViPeel and TCA.

Medical
spas usually offer an array of skin care products with active
anti-aging ingredients. Because a dermatologist is usually either on
the premises or affiliated with the facility, they can offer you
prescription only topical treatments like Retin A and Renova.

Frequenting
a medical spa can be a very productive part of your overall anti-aging
and skin rejuvenation routine. We recommend that you do your research
in advance of choosing one. In choosing a medical spa find out whether
the doctor is actually on the premises supervising operations and doing
treatments, or has she just lent her name to someone else’s enterprise
and has relatively little involvement. It’s important to find out the
qualifications of the people doing the services and how long they’ve
been doing them.

You
also want to investigate and compare the equipment they are using for
the particular procedure in which you are interested. The technology
in the field is rapidly evolving and improving. You’ll want to make
sure that you receive the most up-to-date and least painful method,
with the least amount of downtime, for the procedure you are seeking.

Melissa Sebastien

www.allingoodface.com

Baby Got Brow

2008-09-10T23:39:51-05:00

Hold onto your hats–the brow is back.

Much to my chagrin, my mother received her beauty training in an era
during which Elizabeth Taylor’s prominent thick black brow was en
vogue. My mom then raised daughters overlapping the years that Brooke
Shields was peddling Calvins, in all her baby faced bushy brow
splendor. As a result, my mom would not allow us to pluck our brows.
She did, on occasion hand us a brow brush and tell us to brush all we wanted. Gee, thanks, mom. And you wonder why I didn’t have a date to prom.

For my sisters, this was not a big deal; they were blond and had
light brows that were naturally shaped and manageable. I, on the other
hand, must come from a lineage that is part Greek, part chimpanzee and
part Unibrowzonian. Yes, I had a unibrow and I wore it, not so well.

In fact, I had the monster monobrow until, at the tender and
sensitive age of seventeen, a very snooty lady, behind the Chanel
counter at my local department store, did
what only could be referred to as a “unibrow intervention”, by refusing
to give me the free makeover until I returned with plucked brows.
Taking matters into my own inexperienced hands, the result was
disastrous. Alas, I did return to receive my free makeover from
Chanel, where the same snooty makeup lady sighed loudly at my butchered
brow and handed me the card of a reputable salon that offered waxing
services. I’ve had my brows professionally shaped every month of my
life since.

So perhaps you can imagine my surprise when I noticed recently that
thick, unruly eyebrows are back in style. They are showing up on
runways, print ads, movies and television. Who do you suppose are the
modern day icons that we have to thank for the new swing back to the
heavy brow? My money is on the Kardashians of reality TV fame. Those
gorgeous girls aren’t just known for their ample derrieres. Their
lush, dark brows kind of balance out the junk in the–er, the brow
balances the back, wouldn’t you say?

What’s my opinion on this trend back to thicker brows? Well, thank
you for asking. I say, like almost anything in beauty or style, you
should choose an eyebrow look that works for you and your
face regardless of the current trend. Just because an eyebrow trend
looks good on a fifteen year old bushy browed, six foot tall, newbie
Calvin Klein model strutting the runway at Fashion Week in New York or
on a Lycra clad Kardashian, doesn’t mean it will look great on
everyone. The best rule of thumb is to choose a look that is flattering
for you–one that is timeless rather than trendy.

The moral of the story for me: my brow lady’s phone number stays
safely in speed dial. For fun, here’s an interesting historical
retrospective of the eyebrow trends.

Photo Courtesy of The New York Times

Melissa Sebastien

www.allingoodface.com

Faux Your Eyes Only

2008-09-09T10:59:40-05:00

Has
the fake eyelash trend hit your city or town yet? It’s getting a little
nutty and I’m scared that before it’s over, I’m going to accidentally
swat someone on the face, mistaking someones falsies for a tarantula
making a nest there.

Seriously
though. This is a trend that has been picking up steam for quite some
time. I knew when a suburban soccer mom friend of mine endured a two
hour, $300 application of “eye lash extensions”, that it had hit
mainstream. My friend returned a few times for the “fill”
process–another 45 minutes and $100 every two weeks for the
maintenance. She lost interest and patience after just a few months.

I’ve
heard other women are seeking this out and sticking with it. I’ve met a
few of them. The faux lashes look is great on some. On others you can
see the adhesive on the lashes and it’s quite distracting. And do we
really need “glamour length” lashes at the soccer field? Wouldn’t the
temporary variety, now flying off the shelves of Sephora, be a better
option for the nights out and dressy parties of the mom crowd?

Oprah’s
legendary fake lashes made headlines recently when she literally cried
them off during Obama’s acceptance speech at the Democratic Nomination.
You know you’re famous when your make up malfunction makes front page
news. I even heard about one male teen superstar got “caught” wearing
them to his premiere. Apparently, this guys famous “dreamy-eyed gaze”
requires a little enhancement.

L’oreal
recently got in trouble for advertising their mascara using a close-up
of the actress Penelope Cruz wearing some seriously long and fake
eyelashes. The makeup giant’s mascara claims to give you “lashes that
reach for the stars.” Apparently, they needed a little ladder to help
Penelope’s lashes get there. They’ve since added a disclaimer to all of
these ads.

But
leave it to Japanese school girls and Madonna to take any trend to the
next level. Madonna recently wore lashes made of mink and diamonds to
an event. These lashes are reportedly worth thousands of dollars. She’s
also been spotted sporting some long fierce black lashes during her
current concert tour. (How is she not sweating those things off?)

Wired
magazine reported that there are even lash boutiques popping up in
Japan. Like American nail salons, except for lashes, the Japanese
teenagers have been frequenting these shops to get their lash on. The
Tokyo Lash Bar has interesting varieties ranging from the Velvety
Feather, $43 to the Dazzling Diamante for $20. They even have one
called Lucent Sun and when the light hits these translucent lashes,
they cast colors and patterns on the girl’s face. You know that the
“Hello Kitty” lashes can’t be far behind.

Melissa Sebastien

Editor, www.allingoodface.com

How often should you get a facial?

2008-09-08T12:40:55-05:00

I
have a good friend with luscious luminous skin who years ago received
the trusted advice that, starting at the age of thirty, women should
get a facial once a month. She’s been following that advice ever since
and it sure seems to be working for her. And this is a woman who uses
good old fashioned inexpensive Noxema for her home care.

According to experts in the field and several estheticians that we consulted, getting a facial every four to six weeks is ideal.
That’s how long it takes for your skin to regenerate new skin cells.
There isn’t much point to getting them more often unless you have a
specific concern, like severe acne. In that case, a dermatologist may
recommend more frequent facials until the problem subsides.

Receiving a good facial will serve not only to cleanse, exfoliate
and hydrate the skin but provides on opportunity to have your skin
analyzed and learn about what home care will keep your skin looking its
best. Facials that include microdermabrasion or some other form of thorough exfoliation, like a glycolic peel, are recommended.

Your facial should be from a medi-spa and have more of a
dermatological focus, rather than be relaxation oriented. For
relaxation, get a massage. For the best in skin care, seek out an
esthestician who will focus on the outcome, which may include some
discomfort, like peels that tingle and extractions that hurt.

There
are several advantages to establishing a relationship with a regular
esthetician. That person will become very familiar with your skin type
and skin issues or challenges. He or she will be able to make
recommendations and then follow up to see how your skin responds. We
recommend that you try a few facialists until you find one that you
click with and who isn’t just pushing product. Ask friends, your
dermatologist or even a stranger or an acquaintance you meet, who has
great skin, if they have someone they’d recommend.

Your
facialist will likely assign you a good home care routine. You don’t need to buy products exclusively from where you receive your
facial, as they may be on the priciest end of the spectrum. You should
however pay close attention to what they use and recommend and then
seek out products like that in your price range from other sources.

Investing in a good at home mask
for your skin type, will provide you with that extra boost in between
facials. Masks are for the face what deep conditioners are for the
hair. They will turbo rehydrate your skin. Some of the masks we like
are: Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask , $52, DDF-Doctor’s Dermatologic Formula Sulfur Therapeutic Mask, $34. If you wish to take it easier on the wallet, you could try a soothing homemade Matcha Green Tea mask or a Spicy Tumeric Mask.

So, going back to the original question: how often should you get a
facial? If your budget allows you to go once a month, great. If not,
try to go at least four times per year at the change of each season. If
you can give up a new pair of shoes every now and then to put the money
into your face instead, we endorse that decision.

If you’re like us, there will come an age when warding off wrinkles
and looking fresh will become more of a priority to you than the latest
shoe or handbag trend. Or as Joan Rivers says: “Put your money into your face. I’d rather see a young face get out of an old car, than an old face get out of a new car”. Sounds reasonable to us. But please, let’s not take it as far as Joan does…

Melissa Sebastien

Editor, www.allingoodface.com

Do You Really Need an Eye Cream?

2008-09-05T22:24:38-05:00

Do you really need to use an eye cream?

Absolutely and here’s why.

The
skin around your eyes is more delicate than the rest of your face and
therefore requires a little extra TLC. The skin in that area is
thinner, more sensitive and more prone to discoloration and wrinkles
(crows feet) due to squinting. This area also doesn’t produce oil and
is one of the first areas of the face to show age. For these reasons,
using an eye cream that is formulated to moisturize and protect the eye
area is extremely important, if you want to ward off wrinkles and stay
looking young.

The
three main problems that a great eye cream should treat are dark
circles, fine lines, and puffiness. Eye creams that contain an
anti-aging ingredient are preferred.

While
eye creams can cause sticker shock, as they are often are the priciest
items in a skincare line, remember that you only need a dab to do the
job. Therefore,

eye creams usually last a long time. My last tube lasted about six months and it was tiny. I think it would have lasted a year if my husband hadn’t started sneaking into it.

Remember that most eye creams don’t contain SPF, so you will still need to apply a sunscreen to the eye area.

Here
are the eye creams that I like. They range in price from “drugstore
deal” to “mortgage your mother, holy smokes, how much!?” May your
budget and personal taste dictate your choice.

1. Philosophy:
Eye Believe, $30. “A light, nourishing eye cream with phospholipids,
multifruit acids, and hyaluronic acid. Everything you’ll ever need in
an eye cream, Eye Believe contains special agents to help smooth and
moisturize delicate eye tissue. Disappears on contact.”

2.
Avon Anew Clinical Eye Lift, $28 This is America’s best selling eye
cream as well as an Allure Magazine “Best of Beauty” Award Winner

3.
Olay Regenereist Eye Lifting Serum, $20 “Olay Regenerist Eye Lifting
Serum visibly lifts and brightens the area around the eye - lids,
corners and under-eyes - without drastic measures. It contains an
amino-Peptide complex that hydrates to firm skin and allows the natural
regeneration of collagen and elastin”

4.
Skinceuticals Eye Cream, $48 (my personal favorite) “Powerful
ingredients work synergistically in this firming eye treatment to help
correct early signs of aging. This Eye Cream is formulated with a
special complex to combat symptoms such as puffiness, sagging skin, and
dark circles specific to the delicate eye area.”

5. Sisley’s
Sisleya Eye Cream, $170/.5oz. The rich and famous the world over swear
by this one. I can’t afford it, so I'll have to take their word on it
(and are left to wonder if if at that price, it contains pure platinum dust in it’s formula.)

Do you use an eye cream? If so, which one do you like?

Melissa Sebastien

www.allingoodface.com

How Can You Get Rid of Large Pores and Blackheads?

2008-09-03T23:50:52-05:00

One
of the most common questions that aestheticians and dermatologists hear
from their clients and patients is: how can I make my large pores
smaller? This is usually followed closely with: how can I get rid of
blackheads?

Unfortunately,
pore sizes are genetically predetermined. Another bummer is that as we
age and experience hormonal changes, pores seem to spread and get
larger on our faces. This is because the sebaceous glands under our
skin grow larger, particularly in the nose and forehead regions.

You
may have noticed these changes on your own face. I know I have! Some
days, it seems I could land a chopper in the pores on my nose and
forehead. Complicating matters, because of my love of using self
tanner–the pigment leaves a dark residual in my pores–making for some
pretty nasty blackheads. Yuck!

So what can we do about those large pores and unsightly blackheads?? What do the skincare professionals recommend?

The first thing that’s really important for pore treatment is daily exfoliation. You can use a cleanser with a gentle exfoliator or purchase a separate exfoliation product. One we really like is the Philosophy, Microdelivery Mini Peel Pads, $35.

The next important step is to use a retinoid product (Retin-A, Differin or other), prescribed by a dermatologist, nightly. (As you’ve probably figured out, we are BIG believers in retinoids and think that they are quite possibly the most important skin product you can use.)

Getting regular microdermabrasion
by a professional is also helpful and recommended for cleaning out and
decreasing the visibility of pores. We hear that some celebs get
microdermabrasion weekly–especially if they are filming a movie.
Nothing like the fear of seeing your large pores or blackheads
magnified and projected on a fifty foot screen to keep on top of your
facial appointments! Daily use of products containing salycitic acid as well as those that contain retinol, over the counter, can also be helpful for keeping pores clear.

The
Clarisonic skin brush has a lot of people buzzing about its claim to be
able to reduce pore size. While nothing can actually reduce pore size,
as stated earlier, the Clarisonic does an amazing job getting all the gunk out of your pores, leaving them cleaner. We think it does a great job at diminishing blackheads and cleans the skin infinitely better than water and cleanser alone.

Another thing that we recommended to diminish the appearance of large pores is to use a primer underneath make up. These serve to fill in the pores so that they look smaller. The primer also helps to reflect light so that pores are less noticeable. The primers that we like are i.d. Bare Escentuals Prime Time, $21 and Fresh, Fresh Face Primer, $15. Both of these are light and wonderful and do the trick.

So,
if you have large pores and blackheads and are ready to take action.
Get out that “to do” list. Write down: “make a dermatologist appoint to
get Retin-A product” and “pick up a primer and a good exfoliator”. You
might also make a mental note to put the Clarisonic Skin Brush on your
Christmas list this year. I received mine as a gift last holiday and
have used it twice daily ever since. It’s the gift that keeps on
giving–less blackheads and smoother skin all year.

Melissa Sebastien

www.allingoodface.com

The Best Self Tanners for Your Face

2008-09-01T20:23:05-05:00

I’m
shaking my head this morning. I saw a news story that a gigantic new
tanning salon is opening in Seattle, where I live. Aren’t you shocked
that people are still using those cancer boxes to get tan!? It’s a three story
salon, downtown! Three stories of prime downtown real estate stacked
with the brand new shiny tanning beds!? Unbelievable! I realize we
don’t get a lot of sunshine here, but we’re also a highly educated
population. Don’t these people read the news. Don’t they know how bad tanning beds are? I just don’t get it.

I
was diagnosed with my first basal cell carcinoma (a non fatal, yet
unsightly type of skin cancer) on my forehead at the age of twenty-six

.
My dermatologist at the time was curious as to how someone so young,
who grew up in Minnesota, could get skin cancer. He asked a few
questions, I answered them honestly and the mystery was solved.

My adolescent years were spent in a perpetual quest
to stay tan all year. It would start with summer bakes at the pool with
friends and lead to a family road trip to Florida during the winter. My
sister and I would coat ourselves in baby oil and rotate like
rotisserie chickens, competing to see who could get the darkest during
the holiday. My sister’s olive complexion always provided the advantage
and of course she’d win. My consolation prize would be burns, sun
poisoning and having to wear a T-shirt in the swimming pool for the
last few days of the trip. Meanwhile, my sister would continue to
sunbathe, bronzed poolside in her bikini– a look on her face like a cat
who ate the canary.

In
between, hot Minnesota summers and the road trips to Florida, the
tanning bed provided my suntan. According to my doctor, that’s probably
what did me in–the tanning bed. Even though I got smart and stopped
going to tanning beds years ago, I’ve continued to suffer several more
bouts of basal cell. The damage is done and I’m now paying the price.
As a result I’ve become a very vocal advocate for wearing sunscreen, hats and NOT going to tanning beds.

These
days, I religiously wear sunscreen everyday but I still hate being
pale. I mean, let’s admit something here. Very few people look good
pale. Cate Blanchett pulls it off. Gwyneth Paltrow also comes to mind.
You can probably count the remaining ivory beauties on one hand. The
rest of us need help. We need the bronze, that glow to look
alive, awake and healthy. Thankfully, there are some darn good self
tanners out there. And believe me when I say, I’ve tried most.

Here’s a short list of my faves for the face and
how to apply them for optimal illusion. (We’ll post later with the best
ones for the body). And I promise, these won’t make you resemble an
“Oompah, Loompah”, like the tanners of yesteryear.

1. Jan Marini Bioglycolic® Sunless Self-Tanner, $25

2. Clarins Radiance Plus Self Tanning Gel, $51.00

3. Lancome Flash Bronzer Instant Bronze Glow for the Face, $27

4. Estee Lauder Go Tan Towelettes for Face and Decolletage, $23

5. Neutrogena Summer Glow SPF 15, $8

For best results, exfoliate your skin first, then moisturize and apply sunscreen before applying self tanner.

Melissa

www.allingoodface.com

The Top Five Foods for Healthy Skin

2008-08-31T14:54:57-05:00

Here's a list of the Top Five Foods for achieving healthy amazing skin. It’s short, sweet and
easy to add to your shopping list.

The Five Top Foods For Healthy Skin

1. Salmon

Salmon, especially wild Alaskan, is rich in essential fatty acids like Omega 3s
that are key for achieving healthy skin. Omega 3s reduce the production
of inflammatory agents that can damage the skin. It also helps keep
moisture in your skin, helping prevent dryness

2. Blueberries

Blueberries are considered by many experts to be the highest food
source of antioxidants. The antioxidants and phytochemicals (plant
sources of nutrition) in blueberries neutralize DNA-damaging free
radicals, reducing cell damage. When skin cells are protected from
damage and disintegration, the skin looks younger for longer.

3. Green Tea

Green Teas, like blueberries, are also rich in antioxidants that help
to neutralize DNA damaging free radicals. It also contains polyphenols,
compounds that eliminate cancer causing free radicals. The most active
polyphenol in Green Tea is EGCG, which reactivates dying skin cells.
Additionally, study published recently in the Archives of Dermatology shows that whether taken orally or applied to the skin,
green tea can reduce the risk of damage from ultraviolet light (such as
the burning rays of the sun), and thus reduce the risk of skin cancer.

One important note on Green Tea though. Traditional tea bags won’t cut it. For optimal benefits, it’s imperative to drink loose brewed versions of Japanese high grade Matcha tea or high quality Gyokuro leaves.

4. Almonds

Almonds are rich in Vitamin E which have long been known to assist in cellular regeneration and reducing the signs of aging.

5. Broccoli and broccoli sprouts

Broccoli contains beta-carotene, the plant form of vitamin A, which the
body converts as required, helps to protect us against the aging
effects of sunlight.
Recent studies also reveal that the
extract from broccoli, when applied topically, helped to protect skin
from sun damage. Researchers found the compound sulforaphane, which is
derived from broccoli sprouts, reduces the skin redness and
inflammation caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. As a
result of this well publicized study, watch for this ingredient to
start showing up in skincare products worldwide in the near future.

In addition to a diet that includes these five foods, remember to drink a lot of water and avoid refined sugar. The old advice to have 8 glasses per day still holds true.

www.allingoodface.com

Age Gracefully (with a little help) or fight it tooth and nail and look like you belong in a wax museum?!

2008-08-28T18:24:17-05:00

I saw Priscilla Presley on
television last night, promoting a new line of plastic dolls made to
look like her. Hmmm, how very appropriate. As my husband sat next to me
watching her, I realized, I’ve been desensitized I guess to her
freakish appearance after watching her compete week after week on
Dancing With the Stars.

It’s the same thing that happened to how I perceive Michael Jackson, I suppose–becoming used to just how darn ODD he looks.

But
my husband’s very vocal and horrified reaction to seeing her quickly
brought me back to reality, like a swift kick of Botox in the pants,
and got me to thinking. How much is too much? Where does one cross the
line from aging gracefully yet taking care of oneself — doing things to
prolong the aging process — and doing so much and becoming so obsessive
about it that one no longer looks even human??

I mean let’s be real here ladies, Priscilla hasn’t been able to move her face since Elvis “left the building”.

Then there is someone truly stunning like Meryl Streep at 59 years
of age is approximately the same age as Priscilla who is 63. Yet Meryl
seems to have somehow mastered the art of aging gracefully–looking soft
and beautiful and elegant yet mature without looking weathered and old.
How refreshing and lovely that is.

So, what differentiates the two women then? A better plastic surgeon?
Perhaps, but I would argue then that Priscilla just as wealthy as
Meryl, has access to the very best plastic surgeons and latest
anti-aging procedures. I venture to guess that the difference lies in
knowing just when to stop. When to do a little but not so much that you
no longer look like yourself but rather some weird wax version of
yourself that should be standing at Madame Troussaud’s.

Meryl
is taking care of herself and seeking expert help but isn’t getting
carried away. Priscilla’s goal seems to be to attempt to look like
she’s perpetually 18, which isn’t realistic and frankly, it isn’t
working for her either.

So, who do you think looks great for their age but not weird or odd?
Who do you think has taken it too far? Share your thoughts by clicking
the ‘Comments’ link below…

Melissa Sebastien

www.AllinGoodFace.com

Lather, Rinse, Repeat For Your Makeup Brushes?!

2008-08-28T18:19:41-05:00

Did you know that the dirt on your make up and make up brushes might be causing you to break out or have clogged pores?

It might be time to clean those make up brushes and toss that old
mascara and foundation. We were shocked to learn that the Center for
Disease Control actually has advice for how long one should keep
mascara. They say, due to the bacteria that mascara harbors, you should
toss it every three months and buy a new one. Who knew the CDC gave any
thought to such a seemingly trivial matter as mascara? Shouldn’t they
be busy tracking the West Nile Virus or something? It’s nice to know
they also care a little about cosmetics. (And doesn’t Estee Lauder just
love them for telling us all to go buy new mascara every quarter!)

As far as make up brushes, there is a fast, easy, inexpensive way to
clean those. You can wash them in a mild shampoo. We recommend good old
fashioned baby shampoo. You don’t need much, so buy a little sample
size at the drug store. Place a little shampoo into your palm, add some
warm water and gentle lather the bristles of the brush. Then rinse them
well in warm water. Shake the brushes gently, pat dry with a tissue and
finally, rest them on the side of the sink to air dry. They will regain
their round shape once completely dry. Professional make up artists
recommend doing this once a week to really minimize the dirt and
bacteria that end up on your skin causing clogged pores and breakouts.

And
we have one final word on this. If you haven’t invested in good set of
make up brushes, we highly recommend you do. It really can make all the
difference in the world in terms of how the make up goes on your skin.
We recommend the brushes with real hair bristles. They will
last longer, work more effectively (especially in blending) and clean
up better. Sephora and other beauty retailers carry a large selection
in all sizes. Come on, you know you were looking for a reason to go
browse at Sephora anyway.

Melissa Sebastien