“Skin Care and Beauty” Photo Contest

Challenge for your Creativity

Win samples of Swiss and German skin care products! (scroll down for more details about the prize)

Read Details:

What you need to do
To win the prize you do not have to be a professional photographer or a model, you just need to unleash your imagination and creativity.

Make a creative quality skin care and beauty themed photo and send in for a review.

Email: beautyhealthinfo at yahoo.com

Some Hints
- Artistic photos of you with your favourite skin care products are also welcome. - Especially welcome are photos with people in them not just of a skin care product alone!
- Snapshots and low quality photos are not accepted.
- No nude photos, please.

Copy Right
- The photo has to be made by YOU.

Note: By participating in this contest you give me the right to post your photo on this blog and www.health-beauty-salon.info

Deadline
25 March, 2008

Best photo wins!
I will announce the winner at the end of March, 2008

Prize
You will get minimum 10 samples from quality Swiss and German brands:
Annemarie Börlind(Germany): Eye Crème, Ceramide Vital Fluid, 4 samples from System Absolute Line – Annemarie Börlind products contain 100% natural ingredients. According to Style Switzerland (Schweizer Illustrierte), Boerlind Brand is one of Kate Winslet's favourites.
Heliotrop (Germany): Multiactiv Face and Eye Cream
Biokosma(Switzerland): Day Cream and Hydrogel for normal/mixed skin
Rausch(Switzerland): Shine spray

At our discretion, we may also give a link to the winner’s website, provided it is good quality and skincare/ beauty/ photography related.

The prize will be shipped by regular mail. I am not responsible for delays or non-deliveries.

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Beauty Fact: Sebum Contains Squalene and Vitamin E

Did you know that sebum contains such potent anti-oxidants as Vitamin E and Squalene?

It is already a known fact that Squalene IS (the one used in cosmetics as a natural moisturizer) a major component of sebum. However Vitamin E presence in sebum is still being researched. Several experimental studies show that sebaceous glands and sebum serve as a transport mechanism taking “the lipophilic antioxidant vitamin E from the blood to the skin surface.” In human skin, the highest level of vitamin E is found in sebum. So it appears that sebum is not only beneficial for the skin due to its coating effect, but it also acts as a natural anti-oxidant substance.
That is why people with oily skin stay looking younger longer. Just look at Posh!

PS: Gals with oily skin stops using harsh cleansers now, do not strip your skin of the vital anti-aginers!

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Beauty Talk: Age Factors

Why some people develop certain signs of aging sooner than others? Why some people at the age of 30 are still asked for an ID and others stop caring an ID with them from the age of 16? Why Britney at 26 looks older than Kate Moss at age 34?


There are several major factors that influence how fast we age, as well as how “gracefully” we age. Some of these factors are beyond our powers to do anything about, while others we can influence to stay younger looking longer. So let’s look at them a bit closer:

1. Genes
Gene’s influence on our aging speed and the way we age accounts for 20-40% . For example, it mostly depends on your genes, when or whether you will develop a nasolabial fold. However, research shows that external aging factors still make a much bigger difference. How would they explain Kate Moss phenomenon???

2. Skin Type
Moisture is essential for skin’s optimum functioning. Oily skin has a coating of sebum that prevents it from loosing moisture and, to a certain extent, protects it from the aggressive environment. In fact, sebum is rich in Vitamin E which is a potent anti-oxidant!

3. Race, Culture and Geography
You must have noticed that black and Asian skin generally look younger. Some researchers think it is due to the fact that darker skin has more natural pigment that reflects light and protects skin from sun damage. Culture is also a major aging factor. For example, Italians and Spaniards love to sunbathe and spend a lot of time in the sun. That is why they develop signs of aging earlier than some other nations.

Also if you happen to be fair skinned living in sunny Italy or Greece, you will get as much sun as the native population without having their levels of natural melanin. As a result - you get more sun damage.

4. Bone Structure
Have you noticed that people with high pronounced cheek-bones tend to look younger. I guess it is just a visual effect?!

5. Diet
Healthy diet rich in vitamins, minerals, good fats is a big part of anti-aging strategy. What about calories? Do they make any difference to our aging speed? Here experts seem to disagree. According to numerous studies, low calorie diet helps to stay young longer. However, with age we naturally loose fat tissue supporting the skin and as a result skin starts to sag. That is why extreme no-fat diet results in more sagging and wrinkles. Find the golden middle!

6. Lifestyle
Either it is a stressful job, long nights, smoking, intense partying or alcohol – all of these lifestyle factors add up to your aging speed.

Here you have it! It looks like we can actually influence 50% of these aging factors. Though nowadays, thanks to plastic surgery, changing your bone structure is a possibility as well.

Sources: This post was inspired by and article in Cosmopolitan, Uk Feb.'08 "The Age Factor". I also use some other resources including Aging Research, Factors Affecting Your Skin
Other articles and resources related to aging and anti-aging:

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Sisley Confort Exteme Body Cream For Very Dry Areas

Product Tag Line:

A creamy formula, a rehydrating and repairing body balm for dry skin.

Product Profile in short:
(as described on Sisley Website)
• helps the skin to regain suppleness and softness
• offers immediate relief and comfort

Promise:
intense, long-lasting nourishment

What’s Inside:
• Shea Butter and Kokum Butter for instant soothing and repairing skin.
• Harpagophytum extract brings a sense of relief when the cream is massaged onto the skin.
• Chestnut extract helps strengthen the skin's barrier function

Close-up on Active Ingredients:
Water
Brassica Campestris Seed Oil- Grape seed oil
Cetearyl Alcohol – used as emulsion stabilizer, emollient, thickening agent and carrying agent for other ingredients
Glycerin – humectant, attracts moisture to the skin
Butylene Glycol - another humectant
Castanea Sativa Seed Extract - Chestnut Seed Extract contains esculin, an antioxidant compound. In addition to this Chestnut Seed Extract is mentioned in many sources as having potent anti-inflammatory characteristics.
Mineral Oil - occlusive, keeps moisture locked in skin
Isopropy Palmitate – thickening agent and emollient, facilitates water retention in the skin, lubricates, softens.
Dimethicone – occlusive
Garcinia Indica Seed Butter - Kokum Butter - softens skin, restores elasticity, helps to regenerate skin cells and promotes skin’s healing
Butyrospermum Parkii- Shea Butter - emollient
Hydroxystearic/ Linoleic/Oleic Polyglycerides – natural emulsifier
Squalane - natural organic compound used in cosmetics as a natural moisturizer (mostly comes from shark liver oil)
Cetyl Palmitate- emulsifying agent
…
Mallow Extract, Panthenol (humectant, emollient and moisturizer, soothes and treats irritation), Lavender Oil (balances skin, stimulates cellular growth), Thymus Mastychina Herb Oil, … Sage Oil… Glycine Soya Oil

As always in Sisley products, a couple parabens at the end are used as preservatives.

Experience
Texture: Very rich, creamy
Absorption: For such a rich cream is great (or is my skin too thirsty?)
Smell: Nice light herbal smell with just a touch of bitterness. This is the type of a product that you like to smell before application.

I loved this product! I applied it to dry areas including knees/elbows, lower legs (from the knees down) and used it as a night time hand cream. The mentioned promise that it is comforting is not just a promise really - the sensation is amazing.

Upon application, you get a strange pleasant feeling as if your skin just relaxes and goes into nirvana (I can almost hear it sighing with a relief :-)). I guess it is the action of the above mentioned Harpagophytum extract - also known Devil’s Claw and used as anti-inflammatory and pain-reliever.

This cream leaves skin soft and hydrated. So as a conclusion, I would just say – it is another luxury wonderful product from Sisley.

Price Tag:
Ranges between $ 90 to $ 120

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Glamour Germany Announces Best Beauty Products 2008

Glamour Germany announced best beauty products of 2008 in their winter-spring 2008 special Beauty Issue. Actually these products are nominees selected by magazines and the readers were offered to select a product of their choice! So, check it out.


Best of Luxury Skin Care (Face):
Multi Recharge, Biotherm – “Intensive energy kick for the skin”, contains ginseng and thermal plankton extracts
Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher, Estee Lauder – serum reducing pores
Aquamilk, Lancaster – rich moisturizer with coconut-, rice-, palm-milk

The Winner as chosen by German Glamour readers is Multi Recharge, Biotherm

Best of Luxury Body Care:
Soin Complet Special Vergetures (Stretch Mark Control), Clarins – promises to help reduce appearance of stretch marks
Amour Crème Corps Tres Parfum (Pure Fragrance Body Cream), Kenzo - perfumed body moisturizer
Donna Karan Gold Cleansing Lotion, Donna Karan – perfumed douche lotion, smells of amber and lilies

The Winner as chosen by German Glamour readers is Soin Complet Special Vergetures (Stretch Mark Control), Clarins


Best of Luxury Make-up:
Best Foundation:
* Mat Lumiere, Chanel –this light fluid foundation helps to keep oily skin matte
* Teint Majeur, Yves Saint Laurent – a combination of a foundation and an anti-aging treatment
* Supermoisture Makeup, Clinique – lightweight moisturizing foundation

The Winner as chosen by German Glamour readers is Soin Mat Lumiere, Chanel

Best of Makeup for Lips:
* Eclat Minute (Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector), Clarins – gloss and lipcare in one
* Kiss Kiss Liplift, Guerlain – smoothing basis for a lipstick
* Full Potential Lips, Clinique – lips plumping gloss

The Winner as chosen by German Glamour readers is Full Potential Lips, Clinique

Best Make-up for Eyes:
* Diorshow Black Out, Dior
* Bad Gal Blue, Benefit – dark-blue mascara “makes eyes sparkle”
* Virtuose, Lancome – specially shaped brush ensures that each lash is reached

The Winner as chosen by German Glamour readers is Virtuose, Lancome

Best of Luxury Perfume
* ck IN2U, Calvin Klein
* Midnight Poison, Dior
* Infusion D’Iris, Prada

The Winner as chosen by German Glamour readers is Midnight Poison, Dior

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Beauty Fact: Smoking Can Be Worse For your Skin than Sunbathing

Did you know that one puff of a cigarette subjects your body to more free radicals than a UV-dose needed for a suntan?

Most of us know smoking is bad for your health on the whole and for your skin as well. Inhaling tobacco smoke results in restricted blood vessels and, subsequently, reduced amount of blood flow to the skin. As a result your skin is deprived of the vital oxygen and nutrients and soon smokers develop this grey or yellowish complexion.

Another fact related to the nasty habit may make some smokers finally quit. According to German Vogue (Apr 2008), one puff of a cigarette creates over 100 times more free radicals than a UV dose enough to get a suntan. In an interview to Vogue, Professor Dr.Leonhard Zastow, Senior VP of Coty in Monte Carlo, explained that smoking also brings down body’s ability to protect itself against sun damage. Another striking fact is that only 8 hours after your last cigarette oxygen flow in the body comes to normal and only 48 hours later nicotine is completely out of your system. You will have to wait for two more weeks to get back a healthy skin color!

If a smoker is reading this post and has not yet decided to quit, let me rub it in. According to some studies quoted by skincarephysicians.com, statistically smokers develops premature signs of aging much sooner than a non-smoker and even in 20 year old smokers “facial wrinkling, while not yet visible, can be seen under a microscope.”

Wow! I am glad I am not a smoker!

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Tips on How to Minimize Expression Lines

My sister, who will turn 18 in a month, was visiting me last weekend. Knowing about my passion for skin care, she inquired pointing to her forehead, : “I already have wrinkles. What should I do?” I explained that those are not yet wrinkles but light expression lines but if she continues to express all the array of emotions with her forehead, wrinkles will follow soon. “But how can I be expressive otherwise?” she asked. “I can’t just have a frozen face”.

The fact is that we wrinkle foreheads, squint eyes, furrow eyebrows and crinkle noses a lot out of a habit, we don’t even notice or realize it. Very often we don't feel that our facial muscles are tightened. Remember the feeling before and after a massage session? Before a massage you don’t even realize that your muscles are so stressed. However, after the session your body feels so much more relaxed and just a tone lighter. The same with the facial muscles – we often tighten them habitually and just get used to it.

It is not necessary to completely stop expressing your emotions and wear a “mask” for a face. However, if you invest some time and effort, you will slow down the process of expression lines formation.

What you need to do is
- learn to relax your facial muscles
- don’t wrinkle your forehead or raise brows for every reason either you are thinking hard or are just telling an interesting story
- learn to make up for less forehead wrinkling by expression of you eyes, tilt of your head or hands gesticulations
- don’t squint your eyes, wear sunglasses or, if you do it for the reason of a bad sight, get lenses

Here are a couple exercises and tips I came across that will help you get started.

1.Place a mirror on your work desk so that from the corner of your eye you can see your reflection. You will look into the mirror from time to time and notice if you start wrinkling your forehead or frowning etc. Just relax the muscles. Soon you will start noticing the difference between tightened muscles and the relaxed ones.
2.When at home, wear a thin silk ribbon on your forehead. When you raise eyebrows you will feel it move.
3.Do the following exercise daily: Stand in front of the mirror and relax your facial muscles, concentrate on relaxing your forehead and eyebrow muscles, just let your eyebrows be heavy and all of your facial muscles to just “fall down”. Keep relaxing until you see almost no expression lines anymore. You can help yourself by tapping lightly on your forehead and along the eyebrows. It also helps to prepare for the exercise by doing a light massage when applying your moisturizer.
Do this exercise for at least 1 minute. Later, when you are better at relaxing your muscles, you can bring it down to 30 sec. I would recommend for the beginners to do it minimum 2 times a day in the afternoons and evenings.

I started to be more careful about my facial expressions some time ago and have been doing the 3rd exercise regularly. I do feel it when I frown or wrinkle my forehead so I just try to relax as much as I can. It has been very helpful up till now. I’m turning 29 soon – no lines yet in sight. I do get forehead lines by the evening and on stressful days but after the abovementioned evening exercise and a night’s sleep, I wake up with a smooth forehead ready to face another stressful day

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Beauty Review: Schick Quattro - Razor for Women

Summer makes several beauty related issues a priority. Light summer clothes and beach season means we are all concerned with the issues of smooth skin. And, of course, getting rid of unwanted hair is one of the top priorities. Smooth beautiful legs and sexy bikinis are a must for the sunny season. In summer we depilate more often than in other seasons. That’s why the time it takes and the convenience matter a lot. In this review, let’s speak razors! Recently I was requested to review a new razor for women: Schick Quattro. For this purpose I was provided with a sample razor (thanks!). However, note - this is an unpaid for and unbiased review.

Features:
- four ultra-thin blades
- pivoting head “ to follow all your contours”
- 2 conditioning strips with Vitamins
- sleek metal handle for precise control
- comfortable rubber grip
- shower hanger (not sure if available in every package)

Promise:
"Long lasting smoothness - so you can skip a day or two"
When using the razor, I was very impressed with the angle (radius) of the pivoting head. It is very flexible and moves within about 40 degrees range which does make it easy to follow all the contours of the body.

Experience:
Before I even used Schick Quattro razor I already liked it! Why, you ask? The package includes a shower hanger. My bathroom is always overloaded with things that just get scattered around so it does not look particularly neat. However, with Schick Quattro you just hang your razor on the wall right where you need it. Convenient! Loved this feature!

When using the razor, I was very impressed with the angle (radius) of the pivoting head. It is very flexible and moves within about 40 degrees range which does make it easy to follow all the contours of the body.



Due to the pivoting head and overall design you can also easily do the knee area, reach any stray hairs underarms, or even depilate the bikini area. Shaving feels smooth, comfortable and did not give me razor bumps. And it is quicker than using an electric epilator or a depilation cream. Usually, I do not use a razor on the bikini area but I decided to give it a try. It went quite fine, but the skin felt sensitive afterwords so I still prefer using an electric shaver on this area.

Note: For shaving to be bumps and redness free you have to follow some main rules: do not apply too much pressure on the razor against the skin, do not stretch the skin, do not go against the grain and do use a shaving gel.

The time the smoothness lasts will vary from person to person. In my case, the skin usually remains smooth for a couple days.

I also enjoy some things about Schick Quattro that are not directly related to the quality of shave. For example, I like the handle. It is very convenient due to rubber grips so the razor does not slip out of your hands. I also like that due to the fact that the handle is partly metal it does have some weight to it. Feels nice in the hand.

Excellent product!

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Beauty Talk: Thermal water sprays

Photo by Hypergurl
During summer a spray with thermal water is a must-have. On hot summer days, it saves our skin from dehydration in the office or at the beach. I also use it year round to soothe my skin if it feels sensitized or irritated. And finally, some use thermal sprays to set in makeup, which I don’t really do.

When my husband saw me buying another thermal water spray (my favourite is Vichy), he couldn’t hide his bewilderment – “It’s just WATER!” – he said, “Just water in a spray!” He expressed his amazement at the talent of the marketing people who managed to sell “just water” to appearance-concerned women. I had to explain that it was not “just water”. Thermal water contains minerals and elements which are useful for our skin; it moisturizes and soothes the skin. At this point I exhausted my knowledge on the point under discussion. However, just recently I came across 2 articles on this topic: one from Mini, women’s magazine by Burda (Russia, August 2008) and the other at www.ellecanada.com. I found some interesting facts that I want to share.

First of all, “Thermal” means that the water was located deep underground and its temperature reached 20-63 degrees Celsius. Higher temperature means higher concentration of minerals.

Photo by Mikecpeck
According to Mini, thermal waters are classified based on concentration of salts:
1. hypertonic – high in salts
2. hypotonic – low in salts
3. isotonic – close in composition to blood serum

Thermal waters from Vichy, Avene and La Rosche-Posay are hypertonic.
Thermal Water from Vichy contains 17 minerals and 13 microelements. It is very effective at soothing irritated skin.Vichy water also relieves swelling and strengthens skin’s immune system. Elle Canada quotes Caroline Debbasch, scientific communications director at Vichy Laboratoires International: “Clinical studies show that this mineral-rich water fortifies the skin, restores pH balance and protects against external aggressors like pollution”.
Avene thermal water is rich in silica and can be used on sensitive skin to sooth irritation.
La Rosche-Posay Water is high in selenium and provides natural anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory action.

Water Cauterets doesn’t come in a spray. It is an important ingredient of Galenic’s Cauterets line of skin care. This water contains sulfur and together with Uriage Thermal Water belongs to the isotonic group. Sulfur in Cauteres produces a sebo-regulating and mattifying effect on the skin. According to Mini, Uriage water contains “inert gas nitrogen”. It is highly moisturizing and delivers moisture to the upper layers of epidermis. According to Uriage website, “As well tolerated as a physiological serum, it alters neither the size nor the volume of the cells. URIAGE THERMAL WATER is suitable for all skin types, even the most sensitive and reactive.”

I did not find any examples of hypotonic water sprays. Mostly hypotonic waters mentioned in descriptions of SPA facilities offering treatments with water from hypotonic thermal springs.

How to apply thermal water? What kind of rules can there be about applying water?! – you’ll say. Surprisingly enough there are some recommendations. As Mini writes, if you are using a hypertonic water, spray it on the skin and after 30 seconds wipe your skin dry. Otherwise it can cause “loss of hydrofixators of epidermis” and loss of moisture as water will be naturally drawn from the skin to the salt, as the author explains.

There are also other kinds of water sprays that are mostly referred to as mists. But that’s already a different story.

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Beauty Brand: Guerlain

Guerlain is one of the oldest perfume houses in the world. It was founded by Pierre-Francois Pascal Guerlain in 1828 and and since then more than 300 perfumes were created by this famous house.

Pierre-Francois started from opening a perfume store on 42, rue de Rivoli in Paris. Beginning of Guerlain’s long history of success was marked by Pierre-Francois aquiring the title of Her Majesty’s Official Perfumer (France). This breakthrough followed creation of the famous Eau de Cologne Impériale which was created in the honor of Empress Eugenie and, obviously, impressed her very much.

For years the Guerlain family owned Guerlain Perfume House and most of Guerlain's perfumes were created by the Guerlain family members. However in 1994 Guerlain was acquired by LVMH group.In 2002 Jean-Paul Guerlain retired as a master perfumer but there was no heir from inside the family to take over. Various perfumers have worked for the house since then. In May 2008 Thierry Wasser was named the in-house perfumer.

Famous perfumes by Guerlain include (abridged description from wikipedia):
Jicky (1889): The legend says it was named after a girl who broke Aimé Guerlain's heart when he was a student in England. It is also widely admitted to be the first "modern" perfume as “Jicky was among the first perfumes to incorporate synthetic odorants (vanillin and coumarin) in its composition”,
Mitsouko (1919): Named by Jacques Guerlain after the heroine of the novel "La Bataille" by Claude Farrère. Mitsouko is said to herald the ending of World War I.
Shalimar (1925): Still considered a flagship perfume by Guerlain. Shalimar was named after the garden in Lahore, built by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, Shalimar is one of the first perfumes to successfully incorporate large amounts of vanillin in its composition.
Après L'Ondée (1906): The name translates as "After the Heavy (Summer) Shower", Après L'Ondée’s composition includes iris, violet, rose, hawthorne and hesperedic notes.
L'Heure Bleue (1912): Meaning "The Blue Hour", L'Heure Bleue although similar to Après L'Ondée in its pastry and almonds core, L'Heure Bleue is much less bright and more melancholic.

Guerlain is known not only for its exquisite perfumes but for a luxury range of skin care products and makeup as well. Guerlain values tradition and quality above all. That is why ingredients used to create skin care products as well as perfumes are carefully selected to be among the best in the world. Guerlain’s skin care lines combine the benefits of natural herbal extracts (like desert rose, lily) as well as ingredients developed with the help of scientific and high-tech (such as pro-endorphins complex or nutridiol etc.).

Guerlains skin care products comprise following lines:

Super Aqua: a range of moisturizing products based on desert rose extract
Happylogy: a skincare range based on “pro-endorphins complex” and intended to prevent and treat first signs of aging in mid 20s – mid 30s
Success Future: promises firming and anti-wrinkle effect
Substantific: aimed at helping skin to retain better density and nutrition and fight against changes caused by hormonal fluctuations, for very mature skin
Orchide Imperiale: contains orchide imperiale molecular extract. Orchid is believed to be an exceptional anti-aging and anti-oxidant ingredient.
In addition to the above listed lines Guerlain offers complementary products intended for a specific problem or a specific effect. One of the examples is a unique skin care product called Midnight Star Treatment. It comes in small capsules that promise to revitalize your skin and make it glow in a matter of seconds.

Makeup range from Guerlain includes a big selection of products from foundations to nail polish. Some well known, beloved by women and very popular products include:
Meteorites Powder: Loose powder that comes in the form of small beautiful pearls of various colours (pink, white, mauve, green). As Guerlain explains: “Each colour has a specific use. The pink gives a healthy complexion, the green plays down redness, the mauve attracts light, the white brightens the complexion, the gold and mother-of-pear bring radiance and highlights.”
Terracota line: This line includes various bronzing products for the face and body as well as eye shadows and lipsticks to go with the colour. Guerlain offers in this range everything you can imagine to look beautifully suntanned and glamorously bronze at any season.
Kiss Kiss lipstick: Luxury lipstick with a wide selection of shades. Does not dry out your lips.

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Beauty Buzz: New Skin Care Products this Autumn

This autumn several new anti-aging products will become available for purchase in stores. Some of them mentioned below.


Estee Lauder comes out with a new anti-aging serum – Perfectionist [CP +], Wrinkle Lifting Serum, Corrector for Lines/Wrinkles/Age Spots.

It contains peptides that, as Estee Lauder promises, provide effective action against wrinkles, lift and restructure. They promise that in just 2 hours you will notice the difference.

Here is how it works as explained at www.esteelauder.co.uk: First, it uses polymers, which work on the surface of the skin to help reduce the amplitude of the movement (folding and unfolding) of the skin's surface. This technology helps "immobilize" the skin's appearance.

Secondly, advanced Wrinkle Lift Restructuring Peptides™ technology allows for the natural redensification of skin's appearance, which helps visibly "plump" the wrinkle out of the skin.


Helena Rubinstein launches a whole new line of anti-aging products: Prodigy Re-Plasty

This line was developed in cooperation with a Swiss beauty clinic - Laclinic-Montreux and inspired by special Mesolift Treatment performed in this clinic. Laboratories of Helena Rubinstein developed a technology to provide the ingredients used in the mesotherapy cocktail from Laclinic-Montreux in its new line of products. These ingredients include Vitamins, Hyluronic acid, amino acids etc. The promised results are lifting, better defined contours, fresher looking skin and enhanced radiance. I couldn’t find any information on HR website about the new line, however there are several news articles as well as announcements in Swiss beauty resources.


Dior expands their Capture Totale anti-aging line with Capture Totale Haute Nutrition Huile Soin Relipidante Multi-Perfection

This concentrated skin treatment comes in the form of oil and is meant for mature dry and very dry skin. In addition to Cenuline –“longevity protein” and Alpha-Langoza it is said to contain triolein complex which helps to repair dry skin. Again couldn’t find information on dior’s official site but the product is already available in Switzerland.

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Beauty Buzz: New Makeup Autumn 2008 Part 4

ShiseidoShiseido's look for Autumn/Holliday season is Intriguing Elegance.



The new products include:

2 new pallettes of Silky Eye Shadow Quad in Rose Tones and Wood Tones

5 new colors of Automatic Lip Crayon

Accentuating Color Stick

2 new colors of Lip Gloss

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Beauty News: Size Restriction on Carry-on Liquids to be Dropped

Photo by Msmail at Flickr.com
Good news! Soon you'll have no more headaches packing your precious creams and shampoos when travelling by plane. Starting Fall 2009 US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will remove size restrictions on personal care products to be carried on the plane. This change will be possible due to introduction of new advanced X-ray equipment which will allow to differentiate between safe and dangerous liquids. However, liquids will still need to be placed into a separate plastic bag. This will be temporary as US TSA plans to upgrade X-ray software by the End of 2010 to make it possible to spot dangerous liquids even if they are hidden in a carry-on suitcase.
I do hope this very welcome change will happen in Europe as well without any delays.

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Beauty Talk: Sensitive Skin

Photo by obo-bobolina at Flickr.comDoes you skin react with redness and itchiness to skincare or physical manipulation? Or do you suffer from tightness and irritation during certain seasons? Does makeup give you rash outbreaks? In all of these cases you are dealing with skin sensitivity. Sensitive skin is characterized by hyper-reactivity to external stimuli. Such external factors include: sun, cold, wind, cosmetics, fragrances, makeup, rubbing etc. Sensitive skin can be a permanent skin characteristic or temporary condition. In any case it has to be treated with special care.

I developed skin sensitivity about 1.5 years ago. It all started with a feeling of dryness, tightness, burning. I thought my skin type is changing… dramatically changing… turning from mixed/oily to a dry one. And, sure enough, it did become somewhat dryer but the major problem causing the symptoms was sensitive skin.

Symptoms of Sensitive Skin

So when do you know you may be dealing with sensitive skin? Here are the symptoms:

irritation in reaction to external stimuli

persistent/recurrent redness

recurrent irritation, rash or/and scaling

persistent feeling of tightness, stinging, burning and discomfort

Why sensitive skin occurs?

In most cases the reason for sensitive skin is a lowered skin barrier. Stratum corneum of epidermis is responsible for keeping our skin protected from “invaders”. Skin’s lipids are particularly important here. Due to the content and structure of the skin lipid mantle, bacteria cannot penetrate into the skin. In fact, our skin is almost a 100% waterproof! However, if there is a defect in this protective barrier, bacteria, allergens and irritants can penetrate into deeper skin layers and cause irritation and inflammation.


Causes of Sensitive Skin:

Reasons why we have/develop sensitive skin include:
1. Incorrect use of skin care products
2. Use of certain medications
3. Hereditary
4. Hormonal and immune dysfunctions
5. Chronic or intense stress
6. Allergies
7. Environment (pollution, hot/cold weather etc.)
8. Life style involving smoking, alcohol, unbalanced diet

In my case it was a combination of several factors: incorrect use of skin care products, stress and cold weather. I have to admit to one bad indulgence which is kind of a side-effect of beauty blogging – I love to try out new products! If I lay my hands on a sample of an interesting product, I just immediately turn into a guinea pig and start testing it on myself. Eventually my skin had enough of this. Now I am very selective and I am not going from one sample to another anymore…

Diseases Associated with Sensitive Skin

One more bad news for those who suffer from sensitive skin. There are several serious skin disorders associated with this condition. For example, people who have sensitive skin are more prone to developing rosacea and eczema. So, the bottom line is that you should not ignore sensitive skin but should take proper care of it!

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Beauty Talk: Sensitive Skin - Triggers and Causes

Sensitive skin needs special care. If you neglect it, the recurrent or on-going inflammation will result either in a more serious condition like eczema/rosacea or age you at a much quicker pace. Besides all the redness, irritation and blotchiness associated with sensitive skin can be quite uncomfortable and embarrassing.

Your first step towards balancing your skin is to avoid or minimize sensitizing factors - things that trigger and aggravate sensitivity.

Avoid extreme temperatures or rapid temperature changes, as well as extreme weather conditions. Very hot or very cold temperature stresses and sensitizes skin. For example, it is recommended to avoid having long hot baths, saunas, solarium etc. Example at the other end of temperature gradient is winter sport such as skiing. This will also cause sensitive skin stress and damage to the protective barrier due to the cold and wind.

Due to the impaired barrier function UV light is especially damaging to sensitive skin. Avoid direct and long sun exposure and protect skin from UV light at every season.

Bring down your stress level. When you are stressed, your body releases hormones that accelerate inflammation and aging.

Minimize chemicals and allergens you come into contact with. Stop using fabric conditioners and softeners, air and closet fresheners. Always wash dishes in gloves. Make sure your house is well aired and clean: dust can cause allergies and related skin reactions.

Forget about cigarettes. Smoking not only dehydrates your skin, it also constricts capillaries, and limits oxygen and nutrients flow to the skin.

Skin’s beauty comes from within. That is why one of the key steps towards stabilizing your skin is reviewing and improving your diet. Exclude or at least minimize salty and spicy foods as well as alcohol and caffeine. These cause dilation and constriction of the capillary walls and will worsen sensitivity.
However, in case with coffee, quite the opposite effect is achieved by topical application of caffeine. It produces anti-inflammatory effect and was found to actually relieve skin redness.
Drink more water, eat more fruit and vegetables – vitamins and fiber will help to keep your skin healthy. There is no need to go into extremes, but if your sensitivity is really bad, you may consider excluding histamine containing foods: such as bananas, spinach, peas, cheese, shellfish, tinned tuna, chocolate, wine, cheese, citrus fruits, strawberries, tomatoes etc. Histamine containing foods trigger allergic reactions. Here is more information on histamine restricted diet.

Finally, what comes into direct contact with your skin daily is, of course, crucially important. Review your skin care products. They should not contain sensitizing ingredients such as fragrances, colorants, retinol, alcohol etc.

Details on ingredients to avoid and the ones to look for are coming in the next post.

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My Blend Anti-Jet Lag Relief Emergency Booster

Photo: MarieClair.com
You like traveling to far away places for vacation, or you often travel for business? Good news for you! You know how your skin turns pale, gray and lifeless after a long flight. Yes, it is partly due to the dry airplane air. However, Mark R. Rosekind, PhD, former head of NASA’a Fatigue Countermeasures Program, says the major reason for all the skin stress is that due to long-distance flights we get less deep delta sleep. This cuts down on the body’s repair time, as a result skin suffers and it immediately shows. Dr.Rosekind worked together with MyBlend to develop Anti-Jet Lag Relief Emergency Booster. This cream supplement contains two types of hyaluronic acid for maximum hydration and green coffee to improve circulation.

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Beauty Talk: Sensitive Skin Products

As mentioned in the previous post. Correct selection of skin care products is very important for balancing your sensitive skin. Make sure the products you use do not contain the following:
1.fragrances
2.colorants
3.retinol
4.acids
5.alcohol
6.harsh ingredients (such as Alkyl/ Lauryl sulfates in cleansers)
7.common allergens, for example honey (unless you are sure you are not sensitive to this one)

Emulsifiers and chemical sunscreens are also sometimes mentioned among the sensitizing ingredients.

Nowadays most cosmetic brands offer special ranges for sensitive skin.

Keep in mind the following when choosing a product:

1.Look for products marked “sensitive skin” or read the description and see if it mentions if the product is suitable for sensitive skin.

2.Be careful with products containing aroma-oils or based on several plant extracts. In fact, the more active ingredients there are in a product, the more chances you have to develop sensitivity towards one of them.

3.It is definitely a plus if the product has been dermatologically tested but it does not guarantee that you won’t develop sensitivity to it.

4.Do not trust such words as “soothing” and “calming”. If the product is not marked “for sensitive skin”, such adjectives are used in relation to normal balanced skin. What is soothing for normal skin, may be not at all calming for sensitive. The most ridiculous thing I have come across is a “soothing scrub”. In my opinion, “Scrubbing” and “soothing” are antonyms. How can they be in one word combination.

5.Always ask for a sample before buying. Explain to the sales person that you have sensitive skin and you should have no problem getting one.
There are some products that cannot be sampled. For example, they come in ampoules. Inform sales representative that you have sensitive skin and inquire about a return policy on this product. Save the receipt! I had to return a product once. I first contacted the manufacturer who confirmed there would be no problem. With the note from manufacturer and the receipt I had no problem returning the product and getting reimbursed.

What ingredients to look for:

1.Choose SPF products based on mineral filters over chemical ones as the latter can cause redness/irritation.
2.For the daytime, choose moisturizers with non-irritating anti-oxidants, hyaluronic acid, collagen, squalen.
3.At night, use soothing and regenerating products. Look for such ingredients as allantoin, panthenol, calendula oil, bisabol, hydrolyzed wheat germ, Vitamin E.

And, remember, chemical composition of each person’s skin is very individual. That is why you may find that you are sensitive to some products developed specially for sensitive skin. So be prepared that you may have to try several skin care lines before you find the one that’s right for you.

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Beauty Buzz: Guerlain Holiday Collection 2008

Guerlain’s Holiday Collection was inspired by the beauty and colors of a butterfly.

This collection includes the following:

Limited-Edition Kiss Kiss Lipstick Butterfly
Available in 2 shades:

• Dazzling Butterfly: Sophisticated pink
• Delicate Butterfly: A delicate pearly white

Limited-Edition Kiss Kiss Gloss Butterfly
Available in:
• Charming Butterfly: pink
• Intriging Butterfly: violet

Eyeshadow Palette Collector
This new palette contains four shades: white, mauve, soft pink and violet. I really like the shades. A silvery pearl impression of butterfly is embossed in the center of the palette.

Limited-Edition Le 2 de Guerlain Butterfly Sparkle
On one side it contains black mascara that promises to add volume, length and curl to your lashes. On the other end you'll find violet coloured mascara that you can apply with a mini brush.

Sublime Radiant Powder
This powder with silvery shimmer comes in a glamorous metallic glass bottle with a jeweled butterfly atomizer.

Meteorites Voyage
The iconic illuminating pressed powder come in refillable silver compact adorned with butterfly motif of Guerlain's holiday collection. It contains varying hues of pink, beige and white to accentuate the eyes, cheeks or the entire face.

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Beauty Buzz: Lancome Holiday Collection 2008

Lancome Holiday collectoin "C’est Magnifique" seems to be inspired by Hollywood glamour. Collection includes limited edition of Eye Shadow Quads, Le Vernis Nail Polish and Juicy Tubes. Get ready for an abundance of words such as "Sensatonal", "Splendor", "Glamour" in the names of products, shades, and descritpions.


Color Design Limited Edition Sensational Effects Eye Shadow Quad in Glamour Premiere and Holliwood Seductive. Promise "supreme smoothness and blendability". I am not so crazy about the colours.


Juicy Tubes - Ultra Shiny Lip Gloss - Choose between 5 new colours with glamorous names like Showered in Diamonds and In all Her Splendor.


Le Vernis Divine Lasting Color & Shine - promises "lasting shine that stays put for up to seven days". You will also enjoy a "soft-sculpt brush" that alows "perfectly even coverage in one coat with no clumps".

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Sensitive Skin Care Ingredients

I decided to talk in more detail about some soothing, calming, anti-inflammatory ingredients that can be beneficial to sensitive skin. I have already mentioned in my previous post several of those listed below. But this time I had a closer look at them. I will be adding more ingredients to this list if I find the ones I consider important.

Allantoin aids in formation of healthy tissue. Allantoin is used to treat skin ulcers, wounds, scalds, burns, eczema, psoriasis due to its moisturizing, soothing and anti-irritating properties.

Bisabolol has soothing, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and regenerating effect on the skin. It is obtained from Chamomile flowers.

Calendula extract (oil) has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties and produces soothing effect on the skin.

Castor Oil is an effective emollient and has calming effect on the skin.

Caffeine produces anti-inflammatory effect and was found to relieve skin redness.

Cucumber Extract
The same vegetable you add into your salad can actually help to sooth your sensitive skin. It is a natural anti-inflammatory. Cucumber was one of Cleopatra’s beauty secrets!

Cypress Oil reduces circulation and has vaso-constrictive properties. This makes it very beneficial for skin prone to redness.

Green Tea Extractis known for its amazing anti-oxidant properties due to high content of catechin (polyphenol). It also has anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic effect on the skin.

Horse Chestnut is an anti-inflammatory agent. It contains OPCs (oligo-proanthocyanadins), antioxidant plant compounds similar and has toning and strengthening properties, especially to veins and capillaries.

Licorice contains glycyrrhetinic acid and is an effective emollient, anti-bacterial and soothing agent.
Milk Protein is known to effectively sooth skin. Milk compresses can be used to relieve redness and puffiness, or even to alleviate an allergic skin reaction.

Panthenol (the provitamin of B5) stimulates new cell formation in deeper epidermal skin layers. This helps to rebalance skin natural protective barrier. It also has an ability to attract and retain water, which makes it an effective humectant and emollient.

Red Raspberry Extract helps to relieve any irritation from skin sensitivity, acne or razor bumps. It produces soothing effect on inflamed skin.

Sweet Almond Oil is rich in fatty acids and acts as an effective emollient. It has softening and soothing effect on the skin, protects it from drying and improves skin barrier function.

Since the main cause of skin’s sensitivity is lower skin barrier function, ingredients that can help to rebuild this protective lipid barrier are very beneficial. There are ingredients which mimic lipid content of skin. Examples include: soya oil, avocado oil, apricot oil, canola oil, coconut oil, corn oil, jojoba oil, lanolin, lecithin, olive oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, shea butter, soybean oil, squalane, and sweet almond oil. Read my post on How to Treat Dehydrated Skin where you can find more ingredients and products that can help rebuild skin barrier.

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