Lanabean
Yoginis
Member since 11/05 9202 total posts
Name:
Lana
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If you are bored and would like to read my "Beauty and Spa Bits" (some good info!)
“I’ll Take Those Shoes And A Shot Of Botox, Please!”
Botox is no longer a naughty little secret. Although thinking about it often conjures up images of a frozen-faced Janice Dickinson or even Joan Rivers, today’s face of Botox is softer, more relaxed. Even Kelly Ripa of “Live With Regis And Kelly” plans to get her first injection of the stuff on live television. The trick many women now understand is making sure you can actually move your face and to know when you’ve had enough. So commonplace is it, that in addition to Botox parties, you can now find stop-and-shop Botox clinics in various cities. Smoothmed, a new “Botox-on-the-go” boutique in New York City, caters to women shopping at the fabulous stores nearby. So when you purchase that great cocktail dress, you can get a shot of Botox to go with it. Clearly, Botox is no longer a secret and is becoming a huge trend. Botox has increased at a fast pace since 1997, when it was used 157,000 times. In 2006, it was used 3,185, 592 times! Bottom line? Make sure you go to a doctor who knows what he or she is doing…or that old saying really might be true: If you make a funny face, you could seriously be stuck that way. (New York Post, May 8, 2007)
Find The Right Foundation
It’s an overwhelming ordeal. You go to the makeup counter to select the right shade of foundation. Not only does it have to match, but it also has to enhance, beautify, conceal, brighten, tone and protect. And if you have acne, sensitive skin, dry skin or aging skin, you’re innocent trip to the makeup counter may leave you exhausted and stressed— upsetting your skin even more! The hawk-like sales associate is entirely another story, but for the task at hand, the best thing to do is go there with a clean face. Don’t arrive wearing makeup already; no salesperson will be able to help…or he or she will, but the chances of a color match are basically shot. Next, you need to find the right formula. The good news is that now, most formulations are non-comedogenic and very easy to apply. You have cream, mineral, liquid, and powder versions. Tinted moisturizer is also popular; you get your SPF and a nice, light tint to even out the skin. As with any makeup, read the label. Contrary to popular belief, oils are not always terrible ingredients in makeup. Some oils— such as rosehip and grapeseed— are very nurturing to the skin. According to New Beauty magazine, here are some foundations to try:
•Bobbi Brown Luminous Moisturizing Foundation: Reflective pigments change the way light bounces off skin’s imperfections, minimizing them.
•Smashbox High Definition Healthy FX Foundation: When you need to cover serious things like pimples, scars and uneven pigment.
•Therapy Systems Loose Mineral Foundation SPF 20: Great for oilier skins— leaves skin glowing.
Whatever you do…don’t forget to blend it into your neck. (New Beauty, Spring-Summer 2007, Volume 3, Issue 2)
Black— Timeless, Chic…Even For The Beach
Black is every woman’s staple color. It just seems to work. It flatters, it slims and it always seems to look fabulous on. It’s no surprise that black bathing suits are all the rage for the summer— black is easy to wear and has just enough sex appeal. The look made waves on the 2007 spring runways. Every design house from Michael Kors to Baby Phat had it on display. Of course, everyday women don’t wear stilettos on the beach…but even with flip-flops, you are sure to dazzle on the sand. Fashion pundits also urge you to ditch the cover-up. Feeling confident and sexy is in (yet another reason to read our magazine beyond this point and get your workouts going). Not feeling that bikini? Try a tankini or a bikini with boy bottoms. The right black suit is definitely out there! Some designers to try? Esprit, Cosabella, H&M and Celine all offer figure-flattering, hot styles in the perfect shade of black! (Daily News, April 30, 2007)
Forgoing Beauty Sleep
While many salons are closing up shop at about 7 p.m. every evening, you can now find some that cater to night owls in need of a good ‘do. There are two types of beauty night owls— there’s the girl who gets a massage, a facial, enjoys a glass of wine and heads home to bed and the girl who gets her hair and nails done and then heads out for a night of partying to show it all off. Some salons and spas are using the later hours to recast themselves as social destinations, offering up a cocktail-hour vibe, drinks, snacks and in some cases, live music. In the mood for a late-night blow-out? Check out these salons if you’re in New York:
•Frederic Fekkai Soho, 394 West Broadway
•Red Market Salon, 32 Gansevoort Street
•Okeanos, 211 East 51st Street
•La Vie Zen Spa, 420 Madison Avenue (The New York Times, April 5, 2007)
Botox In “Off-Limits” Areas?
An area of the face once considered off-limits for Botox is now becoming acceptable— the lower one-third of the face. In order to maintain balance and symmetry in the upper face, a patient may want to consider injecting Botox into this region of the face. When combined with the appropriate use of fillers, the effects may be synergistic and durable. Less-common indications for using Botox in the lower face include patients with facial asymmetry due to strokes or Bell’s palsy. A thorough understanding of the involved anatomy is critical, but placement of a few units in the uninvolved muscles provides facial symmetry and patient satisfaction. (Skin & Aging, February 2007)
Dripping Diamonds— Right Out Of Your Pores
Women love diamonds, and cosmetics companies are taking note. Diamonds and other gems have a new engagement…as ingredients in cosmetics. “A few years ago, there was caviar in everything. Next year, it’ll probably be champagne,” says Dr. Michele S. Green, dermatologist. “But it doesn’t sound sexy to say you’re rubbing marine algae on your face.” But are diamonds and other precious metals beneficial? “Some metals might have antioxidant effects because metals can react with free radicals, theoretically,” says Dr. Vincent DeLeo, chairman of the dermatology department at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital and Beth Israel Medical Centers in New York. If you’re curious to try one of these concoctions, here are several “gems” on the market:
•Gold: La Prairie Facial Concentrate
•Diamonds: Ray Simons Roses & Diamonds Age Erasing Facial Oil; La Mer The Refining Facial
• Pearls: Carita Pearl Of Youth Lip Emulsion; Charles Worthington Lustrous Locks Moisturizing Shampoo
•Sapphires: Shiffa Luxe Massage Oil
Happy slathering! (The New York Times, April 26, 2007)
Save Your Soles!
Ballet flats and rubber sandals might be in style right now, but if you’re wearing them because you think you’re doing your feet a favor, think again. Doctors and shoppers say that this summer’s most popular casual shoe might be doing more harm than good! Dr. Paul Greenberg, a podiatric surgeon, comments on ballet flats: “In essence, it’s a piece of rubber with a piece of canvas on top holding the shoe on. Women walk around on concrete and city streets!” He noted that grassy, sandy surfaces are more supportive. The risks of wearing unsupported flats include plantar fasciitas, an inflammation of the ligament on the bottom of the foot, or midtarsal joint capsulitis, which happens when the foot collapses at the arch for lack of support. Dr. Greenberg says, “It’s a myth that heels are bad for you— it’s not true.” Doctor’s orders…wear those Manolos! (Daily News, April 26, 2007)
Are You A Sun Goddess? Think Again…
It used to be that if you wore your SPF 15, you had done right by your skin. Not so true anymore. Nowadays, you need to understand the different ingredients in sunscreen and how they affect your skin. To pick a sunscreen in 2007, you need to know your UVA from your UVB and understand what broad-spectrum protection is. UVB damages the outer layer of the skin, and has been recognized for decades as the cause of sunburn and a major contributor to skin cancer and skin aging. Many sunscreens had been formulated to only protect against UVB. Recently, scientists have learned that UVA rays, while not contributing to sunburn, damage deeper layers of the skin and probably play an important role in wrinkling, spotting, lost elasticity and melanoma. So what does this mean? Choose a formula with three effective blockers: avobenzone, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. And be wary— none completely filter out the entire spectrum of UVA rays. And so, manufacturers keep tinkering. Neutrogena’s “helioplex” formulation stabilizes avobenzone. The United States Food And Drug Administration also approved Mexoryl SX, a chemical long used in Europe that blocks short UVA rays missed by other sunscreens. Although sun-safe technology is exploding, you still have to be careful. You may adore your leather bag, but you don’t want to look like it in several years. (USA Today, May 7, 2007)
Facial ABCs
The “Green Goddess Kiwi Melon Blast” facial. Sounds…confusing, right? Don’t be thrown by a spa menu filled with fruity, creamy, yummy-sounding items. Here some tips for your next visit according to www.beautynewsnyc.com:
• Facials are not face-lifts. Be leery of any spa facial facility that promises you results or claims it can give you a facial equivalent to a face-lift.
• You should be getting facials. It may not be financially viable for you to get one once a week or even once a month, but you should still make it a point to visit a skin professional for a deep cleansing from time to time.
• If all else fails, there’s always the tried-and-true. If you’re curious about that honey yogurt promotional masque that’s being offered to you but truly prefer real results minus the gimmicks, you can always resort to the reliable, science-backed treatments: glycolic acid peels, chemical peels and microdermabrasion. These procedures have been proven to be effective for cell turnover, collagen production and scar reduction, but it’s important to know your skin’s tolerance level to these treatments, especially with acid and chemical peels since certain strengths can damage sensitive skin.
• Dermatologists and aestheticians are not the same. Depending on what your skin’s needs are, you should be aware of the differences between what a dermatologist and what an aesthetician can do for you. At a dermatologist’s office, don’t expect to be greeted with a candlelit room and jars of rose-scented creams awaiting your hungry pores. Your dermatologist is a doctor, and you’re a patient, not a client.
• Personalization/customization is key. It’s tempting to try out the signature facial on a spa menu. After all, if it’s the company’s trademark— it must work, right? Well, rest assured, there’s no right or wrong answer to this question. If it fits your fancy to try the hottest trend or some other generic facial on the list, then go for it. But, remember this: you should always expect the dermatologist or aesthetician who’ll be performing your facial to examine your skin and inform you of what he/she recommends. In short, he/she should have an opinion. Anyone who doesn’t isn’t worth your time or money. (www.beautynewsnyc.com, May 2007)
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