MicrodermMD by Trophy Skin

When I discuss exfoliation with my clients in terms of it being a must & incorporating it into their regimens, most of them think of old school apricot scrubs. There are many types of exfoliation: chemical, enzymatic & manual- like a scrub. Microdermabrasion is a popular professional, yet pricey treatment that polishes the skin like glass while stimulating circulation for an added glow.

The MicrodermMD personal microdermabrasion unit brings that professional treatment into the convenience of your home.  As an esthetician, I know that exfoliation is an essential key to optimal skin health. It reduces the appearance of fine lines, evens out skin tone & allows the other products you apply to work more effectively.

This machine is perfect as we head into summer, as I always advise my clients to taper off from aggressive chemical exfoliants if they know they're going to be outside a lot. The unit comes with filters & a cleansing brush. I also love that there's mirror located in the unit so you're not limited to just using it in front of the vanity. Just cleanse your face thoroughly & you're ready to go.

If the entire concept intimidates you, the computer screen built into the unit even steps you where to place the exfoliating wand during treatment. I like to support my skin with my other hand, while performing the treatment. If you have a teen in your life who isn't consistent with their skincare regimen & their skin looks clogged- this would be a great parent-teen ritual on Sunday nights to help get their skin clearer. Pregnant & nursing mothers can rejoice- as you can use this! Expecting mothers are advised against using Vitamin A, salicylic acid & other high percentage acids- yet struggle with hormonal breakouts. The only people who might not be an ideal candidate for MicrodermMD would be those with open breakouts or on people with severe rosacea. As for me I love sitting on my couch, watching my Bravo shows & getting my glow on!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.
*Gifted for Review

Melanoma Monday

As an esthetician I deal with the devastating effects of sun damage with my clients on a daily basis.  I'm not even talking about it today from a vanity standpoint- which trust me Beauties once you hit your 30's you'll find out on your own. I'm talking about Melanoma, Basal Cell Carcinoma & Squamous Cell Carcinoma that I've seen with clients as early as their 20's have to deal with. I don't think I'm the only one who's noticed that our environment & our weather is changing. That directly effects what our skin is subject to. Dr. Drew Shindell explains that  UV exposure increases by about 33% for every 20% ozone layer loss. The end result is a roughly 33% increase in the rate of skin cancer. That means that the statistic that more than one in five Americans will deal with it in their lifetime is rising. Luckily the majority of my female clients are really aware of the dangers that are out there & are consistent with their use of SPF, my male clients I struggle more with. 

Which twin do you think worshipped the sun?

 

I always say ran or shine - apply it face, neck/decollete & hands 365 days a year. May is Skin Care Awareness month & today is Melanoma Monday. In honor or bringing awareness to this issue, I've partnered with Neutrogena to give one lucky winner a set of 6 of their fabulous sunscreens valued at over $60. Instructions on how to enter are listed below. So forget the sunblocks of a decade ago, today's technology is lighter in texture (no breakouts with Neutrogena's Clear Face Liquid SPF 55- woo hoo!) & much easier to use. Always try to apply 20 minutes before you head out & reapply- most people never do, which is why the sprays like Neutrogena's Ultra Sheer are so convenient. Remember- healthy skin is beautiful skin!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.

*To enter leave a comment, for additional entries follow me on twitter: @peacelovegloss , or like my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/PeaceLoveandLipgloss .  Then list the tally in the comments section. Please have an interacting Twitter handle & not one set up exclusively for giveaways. Giveaway is open to US residents 18 years of older. Contest will wrap 5/12/13 & winner will be listed on my Facebook page- you can then email me your mailing address. Giveaway is mailed from corporate so I have no control over shipping times. Now for even more legal stuff which also applies to the Beauty Blog Coalition Giveaway.

GENERAL
1. All entrants agree to provide the Promoter or the Promoter’s authorized agent with proof of identity, residency, age and/or proof of entry validity if selected as the Prize winner/s or if reasonably requested by the Promoter or the Promoter’s authorized agent. Proof of age, identification, residency and entry considered suitable for verification is at the sole discretion of the Promoter. In the event that the Prize winner cannot provide suitable proof, the Prize winner will forfeit the Prize in whole and no substitute will be offered.

2. No responsibility will be taken by the Promoter for any changes in dates, times or cancellations or other arrangements that may prevent the Prize winner from winning the Prize.

3. The Promoter reserves the right, in its absolute discretion, at any time before the awarding of the Prizes to cancel or vary the Competition or to vary or cancel the award of the Prizes including, without limitation, circumstances where in the Promoter’s opinion (which it shall form in its absolute discretion): (a) a Prize winner does not satisfy the Competition entry requirements; or (b) the Promoter cannot conduct the Competition or award the Prize/s for any reason beyond its control.

4. In the event that the Promoter cancels or varies the Competition or varies or withdraws the Prizes it shall not:
(a) be liable to any person for any loss or damage (including loss or damage caused by any negligence) arising out of, or in connection with, such cancellation, variation or withdrawal; and (b) be required to conduct the Competition at any other time.

5. No responsibility will be accepted by the Promoter for late, lost or misdirected entries and all entries are deemed to be received at the time of receipt of the entry into the Promoter’s database and NOT time of transmission by the entrant. The Promoter will accept no responsibility for any delays to entry caused by technical disruptions or malfunctions. The Promoter accepts no responsibility for outdated or incorrect contact details or contact details by which the entrant cannot be contacted during business hours on the relevant dates.

6. The Promoter accepts no responsibility for any Prize that are damaged, delayed or lost in transit.

7. The Promoter reserves the right to cancel the award of prize/s to, and/or to disqualify any individual who, as determined in the sole discretion of the Promoter, has breached these terms and conditions or who has otherwise engaged in unlawful or improper conduct that is designed to jeopardize the fair conduct of the Competition.

8. Entrants are advised that their personal information may be disclosed to State and Territory lottery departments and their names as the winner may be published as required under the relevant lottery legislation.

9. A decision of the Promoter in relation to the conduct of the Competition is binding and conclusive and no correspondence will be entered into.

10. Entrants enter the Competition at their sole risk. With the exception of liability which cannot be excluded by law, the Promoter shall not be liable for any loss or damage which is suffered (including but not limited to indirect or consequential loss) or for personal injury suffered or sustained as a result of taking the Prize or entering the Competition.

11. All entries become the property of the Promoter and may be communicated to the public by the Promoter or used for promotional purposes, subject to the Promoter’s privacy policy. By entering the Competition, the Prize winner agrees to the use of their name, image, audio-visual recording and/or photograph/s, without compensation, and agrees that the Promoter will own copyright in any such images, audio-visual recordings and photograph/s.
 

Suds Sunday

It is officially winter here in Baltimore, with some on the East Coast snowed in at the moment. Bracing temperatures having us bundling up, hurrying our dogs along on their walks & leaving skin (even those with oilier skin) craving some extra moisture.

First off, who in their right mind wouldn't want to get their hands on a product called Diamond White Rich Luxury Cleanse? Do I like luxury? Yes. Would I like some more diamonds in my life? Yes, please! But I digress. Natura Bisse is a line known for high end luxurious skincare & this cleanser didn't disappoint.

When I added just a drop of water to my hand, the clear gel starts to become white & opaque. The calming scent of lavender is released.

The gel continues to miraculously transform into a rich, foamy lather. Packed with pomegranate extract, this creamy cleanser feels like true luxury on the face & breaks down stubborn eye make-up with ease. Even after rinsing, my skin feels hydrated & comfortably soft- like an extra layer of protection against this bitter cold.  What gal wouldn't want to be surrounded by diamonds? I'm thinking I'll be exploring the entire Natura Bisse Diamond Line.

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.

Polish Pic{k}s

Sometimes the packaging of something is just so cute, you have to have it. Such was the case with this Scandal nail polish that I picked at a recent skincare conference. The corseted top was to die for!

The polish, called Black Pearl, is a little naughty being black- with a touch of glam thrown in with the silver glitter. The glitter in this polish was a little rougher than a micro glitter though- so I could feel it through the top coat.  I also felt the texture cut through the shine of the top coat a bit & you know this girl loves shine!

Peace. Love. Polish. M

Anastasia See or Be Seen Kit

Isn't this new Anastasia kit so summer!  The See or Be Seen limited edition kit includes 2 of their Hydrafull Liglosses in Heiress & Plastic, an Illumin8 Eyeshadow Duo in On Set & their Tinted Brow Gel in Caramel.  

As we head into hotter(read humid) weather, I love to pare down the amount of products I use.  I love vivid sheer glosses to instantly brighten up my look. The Hydrafull glosses in this kit just remind me of popsicles! Each gloss retails for $18 each & nearly pay for the entire cost of the kit at $44.

  These glosses are incredibly vibrant & have a patent like appearance, without being sticky. They boost some serious staying power, and as they wear off they leave a stain on the lips that rivals most stain only products! Top shade is Heiress, a gorgeous watermelon hue. Bottom shade is Plastic, which reminds me of a Barbie doll pink.

The Illumin8 EyeShadow Duo in On Set features a coppery bronze palette. One shade is a soft rose gold, the other is like a copper penny. These shadows have serious color payoff. I also love that Anastasia shadows boost skincare benefits to the delicate eye area. We show age first around the eye area, yet it's often neglected! I use Anastasia's brow powders often to perfect my brows,  however this is my first foray into using a tinted brow gel.  The Caramel shade in this kit is unusual in that it's metallic.  It definitely tones down my brunette brows, but it's not the right shade for me-I think it's more ideal for blonds. This kit is not for those faint of heart. But for those out there who appreciate serious color payoff, this limited edition summer kit is right up your alley - grab it before it's gone!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M
*kit gifted for review
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Arcona Mandarin Brightening Peel

I am the Queen of exfoliation. Seriously, I always tell my clients it is an essential step in the fight against aging. It's is the key to radiant skin & your other products working more effectively. That being said I often have clients who over do it with aggressive exfoliants & come to me with red, peeling skin. There is a fine line & proper balance in terms of introducing chemical & enzyme exfoliants into your skincare diet. With prescriptions, I recommend slowly incorporating them into your skincare regimens. For those who are new to the game, enter Arcona's new Mandarin Brightening Peel. Never mind the fact that it smells like a cross between an orangesicle & a tropical drink, it's the perfect mild exfoliant as we head into summer. I think the term 'acid' in AHA's scares people from incorporating them into their anti-aging regimen. Acids can in fact be gentle for the skin & offer a host of benefits like reducing the appearance of fine lines, brightening, smoothing texture & are amazing in addressing acne. Besides Glycolic & Lactic acids in Arcona's Mandarin Brightening Peel, the anti-oxidant Lycopene & a unique patented lightening peptide round out the cocktail. Peptides are at the top of most Dermatologist's lists for their anti-inflammatory & anti-aging capabilities. Applied on my face, I felt nary an uncomfortable tingle- which makes me confident recommending it pretty much to all skin types once or twice a week. I even was a renegade & left it on for 10 minutes, versus the 4-6 outlined in the directions. What can I say? I love me some exfoliation!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

GloMinerals Remedy Gel

I'm always on the look out for ways to fight off the aging process...even as an esthetician, sometimes that means I can over do it. A few weeks back I tried a peel that left my skin rather unhappy- don't worry Beauties it wasn't my beloved Skin Medica Peel! My normal go to products to rectify the situation just weren't cutting it. To finally calm my rather irritated skin I turned to GloMineral's Remedy Gel. I'm a big advocate of anti-inflammatory products in general as inflammation is never a good thing & can cause premature aging. This soothing gel contains Aloe, Hydrocortisone & Rosehips (which accounts for its divine smell.) It's perfect for after waxing, when you've over exfoliated or even a blemish- because of course what is a blemish? Inflammation. The texture is fabulous & light, not a bit greasy. It's so lovely I would want to use it every day, but since it contains Hydrocortisone it's not meant for extended use as it can thin out the skin. But it will become a staple in my medicine cabinet to reach for in times of skin duress.

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash

I received a deluxe sample of Bliss' Fabulous Foaming Face Wash in one of my many beauty subscription services recently. You know I am honest and forthcoming of my beauty addiction, girleens! I thought it would be perfect to take with me while I was in Florida. In general I tend to gravitate towards Bliss, or at least their cute packaging & cleverly named products. Oh & did I mention the yummy smells? Bliss' Lemon & Sage body butter makes me swoon! However this cleanser just didn't seem to like me. I noticed my skin feeling pretty tight after using it the past few days, something my teenage self would have adored- but current self not so much. However last night was the real test. I came home from dinner & washed my face with it. I always do a double cleanse if I'm not showering at night to make sure all traces of my make-up are removed. I looked up & not one bit of my foundation had been broken down. Eeks! Mascara running down my face- I had to reach for a different cleanser to do the job. On paper this cleanser looks like it would be a dream come true with it being oil free & having man made exfoliating spheres, but alas this one one isn't for me.

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Philosophy Oxygen Peel

Ever have a month that makes you feel like you've aged 10 years? That's how October was for me. When I saw Philosophy's Oxygen Peel kit offered as a today's special value, I literally thought my skin could use a breath of fresh air! The kit also comes with Philosophy's best selling cleanser, Purity & a new antioxidant lotion called Oxygen Boost.

For step one of the peel, you break apart a capsule & mix with warm water in the enclosed container.

The resulting gel is like unflavored gelatin if you've ever made homemade jam!

After applying the gel, this potion is next. While the second step already feels whipped in consistency, after you layer it onto the gel it becomes a shaving cream like frothy texture.

Gorgeous shot- I know! After the peel, I noticed my skin looked lighter & a little brighter- though no real smoothing in terms of skin texture. This peel also helps with clarifying congested skin. While I think it was fun to play mad scientist in initially mixing the peel, I think the novelty might wear off & lead to inconsistency in my using it. No matter how great a product is, if you don't use it regularly- the results won't happen. This is why I rarely recommend masks to clients- unless I know they're extremely dedicated to their skincare regimens.

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Electricity Boosting Skincare

Yes I know. I too want to say "It's electric -boogey woogey woogey." Two new products have been launched this month that are based on the concept that increasing electrical activity in your skin can increase collagen and elastin. It kind of makes sense to give a 'charge' to your body to help it behave & think like younger skin. Both Neutrogena Clinical Facial Lifting Wrinkle Treatment & Aveeno Ageless Vitality Elasticity Recharging System involve a two step regimen that work together to create that reaction for smoother, more lifted skin. As dermatologist Leslie Bauman explains it "triggers your skin cells to make elastin, leading to decreased sagging." What do you think my beauties? Will you try it- does it spark some curiosity? I couldn't resist!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Clarisonic Opal

What's the latest scientific gadget from the makers of the Clarisonic? The Clarisonic Opal. The Opal’s soothing sonic action claims that it"gently infuses the serum into the epidermis to help refresh and renew the appearance of delicate skin around your eye area." Clinical studies showed that when participants used the device for just a minute a day, they saw an immediate reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles; with results lasting for hours and building over time. It promises younger looking skin, skin that appears refreshed and energized, skin that appears brighter and healthier. But wait there's more! It also says it will deliver improved skin texture, noticeably firmer skin and increased skin hydration.

So yes, sign me up for some of that! But how do my beauties feel about adding yet another gadget to their repertoire? Especially one so pricey at $245( it should be called the diamond!)
The Opal is meant to be used only with the included Anti–Aging Sea Serum which comes in a cartridge(I would be the rebel who tried it with other eye products). Dr. Robb Akridge, PhD, specifically optimized this serum for the dynamics of sonic infusion. Have any of my beauties tried it out there? Lord knows I love the Clarisonic cleansing brush, so let me know if you think the Opal is a true gem or if you'd consider purchasing it!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Fabulous Finds Friday

Have any of my beauties heard of this genius little site?!

Everything sold on it is 3 fluid ounces or under! Perfect for finding luxury, travel sized items or if you want to sample just a taste before commiting to a full size product.

You'll find great brands like Malin + Goetz, Ole Henrickson, Phillip B, Ahava, and DDF - just to name a few! You know what they say- good things come in little packages!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Quite Apeeling

Last week I gave fellow beauty blogger, Gouldylox a Skin Medica Rejuvenize Peel at La Papillon. She had expressed her pigmentation frustrations(one that I've shared in the past) and I knew this would be the most results oriented plan for her. Here is an image of her face under a Woods Lamp, which gives a more accurate reading of her sun damage. It is important to know medical grade peels do involve some downtime, since it promotes the sloughing of skin, similar to a bad sunburn.

Why a medical peel? You can get results in under a week that would take a prescription quality home skincare regimen at least 9-12 months to achieve. What are these results? This peel offers a reduction in fine lines, unclogs pores(it's amazing for acne),unveils a more luminous & even skin tone, lessens hyperpigmentation and stimulates collagen. A cocktail including salicylic acid & lactic acid is applied, which is then topped with retinoic acid(a form of vitamin A). Then in a few short days your skin looks and feels like a baby's!

Here's Gouldylox immediately following her peel(the retinoic acid leaves the skin a smidge yellow, but that's only temporary.) I highly recommend a medical peel to anyone who is serious about changing their skin. It is important to go over what to expect with your skin care professional and find out if it's right for you. (not all peels are created equal & offer the same results) Yes you will be literally peeling for about 3-5 days, but it's so worth it! Brides-to-be, are you listening? Find the time, you won't be disappointed. Just work backwards from any specific big events. Once the actual peel is applied, peeling will start around 48 hours after and will take @ 4 days to taper off. Allocate 7-10 days just in case. Take a daily behind the scenes peek & follow Gouldylox's progress on her blog, and check back here next week for before & after pics!

Peace. Love. Peels. M