Power Plucker
If you don't own a Tweezerman Slant you are missing a beauty must-have; buy one and it's the last plucker you'll ever need to purchase. The Slant® tweezer has perfectly aligned hand-finished tips that can grab even the hardest to pluck hair every time. While you'll never find Tweezerman on sale or discounted, it’s a bargain in the long run. The manufacturer will sharpen any of their tools that get dull through normal use for free, they replace damaged/dropped tools for half the purchase price and they repair bent tips for $5.00 per tool. No S&H charges. At drugstore.com or in beauty stores, $20. www.tweezerman.com.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Safety Police: Sunburn prevention for soccer moms and all spectator parents
"As a mother of athletes, I often find myself sitting
in uncovered bleachers in midday when the UV rays are
at their strongest, and that puts me just as much at
risk for sun damage as my kids playing in the game,”
says Doris Day, M.D., a member of the American Society
for Dermatologic Surgery who is often a spectator at
her children's games. "The sun doesn't discriminate
against who gets burned and who doesn't.
Everybody needs protection outdoors,” she
says. For outdoor sporting events,Dr. Day
offers spectators the following tips:
- Because it takes time for the skin to
absorb sunscreen, apply it 30 minutes
before an event.
- Choose a sunscreen that blocks UVA
and UVB rays with an SPF of at least 30.
- Bring Your Own Shade: tote an umbrella
or portable tent to events that do not
have covered bleachers.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Beauty News for Germo-phobes and Frequent Flyers
Hygienic and tote-able, single use products take the guesswork out of whether to carry-on (and risk confiscation of) your pricey beauty favorites on your next Jetblue flight. Of course the convenience costs more, but it might save you a bundle in the long run.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Lip Cancer Risks High: Public Awareness Strikingly Low
In a recent study of beach-goers, only 47 percent of respondents said they used UV lip protection. Richard Wagner, MD, a lead researcher on the University of Texas study, says UV light can cause as much damage to the lips as it can to the skin .
To protect your pout:
-Use lip products with an SPF 30 or higher.
-Options abound, from Shiseido's high end Sun Protection Lip Treatment SPF 36, $19 at Sephora.com, to Banana Boat Aloe Vera with Vitamin E Sunscreen Lip Balm SPF30, $1.79 at drugstore.com.
-Avoid petroleum jelly, high shine lip gloss and baby oil (on your lips or anywhere else) when you're in the sun; they attracts UV light and can intensify damage to your lips.
-For any new growth or bleeding on your lips, see a dermatologist, pronto!
To protect your pout:
-Use lip products with an SPF 30 or higher.
-Options abound, from Shiseido's high end Sun Protection Lip Treatment SPF 36, $19 at Sephora.com, to Banana Boat Aloe Vera with Vitamin E Sunscreen Lip Balm SPF30, $1.79 at drugstore.com.
-Avoid petroleum jelly, high shine lip gloss and baby oil (on your lips or anywhere else) when you're in the sun; they attracts UV light and can intensify damage to your lips.
-For any new growth or bleeding on your lips, see a dermatologist, pronto!
Monday, June 16, 2008
Don't spend much on sunscreen (except for Anthelios SX with Mexoryl)
Generally, the pricier a sunscreen is the less of it you might use to "stretch" it out, so affordable brands like Coppertone, Banana Boat and Neutrogena are your best buys, with one exception:
Mexoryl
This breakthrough sunscreen ingredient provides far better protection than commonly used UVA filters such as Oxybenzone, Titanium Dioxide or Parsol 1789. Used in Europe since 1993, Mexoryl received long awaited FDA approval in 2006 and is sold in the US as Anthelios SX Daily Moisturizing Sunscreen with Mexoryl SPF 15 (apx. $29 for 3.5 oz.). This product combines the sunscreen ingredient Parsol® 1789* with Mexoryl™ SX (ecamsule) for optimum protection.
Dermatologists are crazy about this product because it has the highest protection against harmful broad UVA and UVB rays (short and long wavelengths), it's the most complete broad-spectrum protection, it's the first sunscreen approved by the FDA in 18 years and it provides 24 hour protection! Check it out at amazon.com or drugstore.com. If the product's a tad pricey for you, save it for the most sun exposed spots including your face, chest and hands (and your scalp if you're a baldie), and use other dependable yet less expensive sunscreens for the rest of you.
Mexoryl
This breakthrough sunscreen ingredient provides far better protection than commonly used UVA filters such as Oxybenzone, Titanium Dioxide or Parsol 1789. Used in Europe since 1993, Mexoryl received long awaited FDA approval in 2006 and is sold in the US as Anthelios SX Daily Moisturizing Sunscreen with Mexoryl SPF 15 (apx. $29 for 3.5 oz.). This product combines the sunscreen ingredient Parsol® 1789* with Mexoryl™ SX (ecamsule) for optimum protection.
Dermatologists are crazy about this product because it has the highest protection against harmful broad UVA and UVB rays (short and long wavelengths), it's the most complete broad-spectrum protection, it's the first sunscreen approved by the FDA in 18 years and it provides 24 hour protection! Check it out at amazon.com or drugstore.com. If the product's a tad pricey for you, save it for the most sun exposed spots including your face, chest and hands (and your scalp if you're a baldie), and use other dependable yet less expensive sunscreens for the rest of you.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Practically free: style makeover
Looking for a little lift but can’t invest much? For a younger, more sophisticated or stylishly hip image, a new ‘do, pampering or an extreme overhaul, consider these options:
Virtual makeover: No financial investment needed with ivillage’s Makeover Central http://makeovers.ivillage.com/ to guide you through a beauty/fashion overhaul, including tips from style guru Tim Gunn, a virtual tool for “trying” makeup, hairstyles and celeb looks and more. Marie Claire http://www.marieclaire.com/hair/hairstyles/virtual-salon/ lets you upload your photo and perform a virtual makeover, testing new hair styles/colors and makeup shades.
Free makeup re-do: Don't be shy about visiting department stores and beauty shops like Sephora for free consultations and makeup applications. A caveat: makeup artists might work on commission, so if you’re swayed into purchases your “free” makeover can turn costly. Kudos to major department stores (Nordstrom’s, Macy’s) and makeup shops (like Sephora) that will take an already used product back if you’re disappointed in it's performance.
Tress update: A new hairstyle and color can dramatically change your image. Parting with a long time look -- especially “big” or long hair -- can seem traumatic but you’ll soon become accustomed to the new you, so now’s the time to go for it! If you don’t feel your own hairdresser is impartial enough, get recommendations from your best-tressed friends. In any case, use caution: if a hair dresser suggests a high maintenance style or a colorist promotes cost/time intensive highlights you can’t possibly keep up, try to compromise.
The whole shebang: Book a few beauty services or a head to toe makeover at a salon or spa that offers “day of beauty" specials. Follow word of mouth raves or check out affordable national beauty salons and day spa chains such as Regis (www.regissalons.com), Aveda (www.aveda.com) and JC Penney (www.jcpenney.net/stroes/salon) that continuously train hairdressers, cosmetologists and estheticians so they’re always up to date on the latest looks and techniques.
Frump repair: If your fashion purchases tend to be mistakes, a personal shopper can help you stylize a winning wardrobe (and possibly save you money in the long run, with wearable styles/colors that mix 'n match for fashion mileage). Some department stores (including Macy's and Nordstrom) offer free personal shopping services, by appointment. A paid personal shopper can lead you to a more diverse range of stores but be clear on your budget and your goals.
An image overhaul: Looking to really “repackage” yourself? An image consultant can help improve everything about you, even your verbal and nonverbal communications. For fee guidelines and a listing of reputable image consultants in your area, log onto www.aici.org
Extreme makeover: For a little nip and tuck there’s no shortage of places -- from medi- spas to plastic surgery centers -- for mild procedures or a total surgical overhaul. You might start by seeing if simple non invasive procedures … like tooth whitening or injectable wrinkle fillers ... boost your self image (with minimal investment and no down time). For info on procedures, fees and board certified plastic surgeons visit www.plasticsurgery.org/patients_consumers. For more extreme makeover options, check out websites like www.ienhance.com, featuring makeover team members from the Extreme Makeover reality TV show.
Virtual makeover: No financial investment needed with ivillage’s Makeover Central http://makeovers.ivillage.com/ to guide you through a beauty/fashion overhaul, including tips from style guru Tim Gunn, a virtual tool for “trying” makeup, hairstyles and celeb looks and more. Marie Claire http://www.marieclaire.com/hair/hairstyles/virtual-salon/ lets you upload your photo and perform a virtual makeover, testing new hair styles/colors and makeup shades.
Free makeup re-do: Don't be shy about visiting department stores and beauty shops like Sephora for free consultations and makeup applications. A caveat: makeup artists might work on commission, so if you’re swayed into purchases your “free” makeover can turn costly. Kudos to major department stores (Nordstrom’s, Macy’s) and makeup shops (like Sephora) that will take an already used product back if you’re disappointed in it's performance.
Tress update: A new hairstyle and color can dramatically change your image. Parting with a long time look -- especially “big” or long hair -- can seem traumatic but you’ll soon become accustomed to the new you, so now’s the time to go for it! If you don’t feel your own hairdresser is impartial enough, get recommendations from your best-tressed friends. In any case, use caution: if a hair dresser suggests a high maintenance style or a colorist promotes cost/time intensive highlights you can’t possibly keep up, try to compromise.
The whole shebang: Book a few beauty services or a head to toe makeover at a salon or spa that offers “day of beauty" specials. Follow word of mouth raves or check out affordable national beauty salons and day spa chains such as Regis (www.regissalons.com), Aveda (www.aveda.com) and JC Penney (www.jcpenney.net/stroes/salon) that continuously train hairdressers, cosmetologists and estheticians so they’re always up to date on the latest looks and techniques.
Frump repair: If your fashion purchases tend to be mistakes, a personal shopper can help you stylize a winning wardrobe (and possibly save you money in the long run, with wearable styles/colors that mix 'n match for fashion mileage). Some department stores (including Macy's and Nordstrom) offer free personal shopping services, by appointment. A paid personal shopper can lead you to a more diverse range of stores but be clear on your budget and your goals.
An image overhaul: Looking to really “repackage” yourself? An image consultant can help improve everything about you, even your verbal and nonverbal communications. For fee guidelines and a listing of reputable image consultants in your area, log onto www.aici.org
Extreme makeover: For a little nip and tuck there’s no shortage of places -- from medi- spas to plastic surgery centers -- for mild procedures or a total surgical overhaul. You might start by seeing if simple non invasive procedures … like tooth whitening or injectable wrinkle fillers ... boost your self image (with minimal investment and no down time). For info on procedures, fees and board certified plastic surgeons visit www.plasticsurgery.org/patients_consumers. For more extreme makeover options, check out websites like www.ienhance.com, featuring makeover team members from the Extreme Makeover reality TV show.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Bet you’ve never been to Alcone?
Makeup artists in the know flock to Alcone to stock their makeup kits for fashion/beauty photo shoots and for specialty makeup effects/prosthetics like scars and blood for movies and TV. Started in 1950 as a pharmacy that also sold cosmetics and false eyelashes to Broadway showgirls and starlettes, their philosophy is to find the best makeup products from around the world and offer them at affordable prices so everyone (not just the rich and fabulous) will benefit. Goods include makeup brands they consider best picks plus Alcone’s own, technical tools, how to instruction, free samples and more. Alcone, 322 West 49th street
Friday, April 4, 2008
Designer Handbag on a Budget
Starting this Sunday, Target stores and target.com debuts a line of expensive looking affordable bags ($19.99-$49.99) by Joy Gryson (celebrities covet her bags and she's designed for Marc Jacobs and Coach)
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