Many of the ground-breaking ingredients used in facial care are also available to ... Read More »]]>

During the colder months, when you are likely wearing turtleneck sweaters and high necked blouses anyway, is a great time to address the delicate skin on your chest area, know as the décolleté. Often it can show the same signs of living every day life as your face: fine lines or actual wrinkles, uneven skin tone, dark spots or dryness. The colder months are prime time to treat the area so you are looking good for spring dresses and tops that show off more of your upper body!

Many of the ground-breaking ingredients used in facial care are also available to help treat the décolleté, including those for firming, toning and lightening the skin.  Exfoliating the area and using a mask or other treatment product on a regular basis can help to keep the skin looking bright and hydrated.  It is important to note that daily use of sunscreen on the décolleté area, rain or shine, no matter what the season, is paramount. Make a habit of addressing the décolleté in the same way you do your face and neck, with constant care that will provide you with optimal results.

Here are a few of my favorite products for the décolleté:

Obagi ELASTIderm® Décolletage System – This system contains two products, Wrinkle Reducing Lotion and Skin Lightening Complex, to address signs of aging and skin lightening issues. ($138)

LUSH Lovely Jubblies Breast Cream – Rose petal and meadowsweet infused ingredients tone and tighten the breast and décolleté in this rich cream. ($24.95)

Radical Skincare Firming Neck Gel – With Kelp Extract, Green Tea and Resveratrol, the company promises increased elasticity and brightness for your neck and décolleté. ($95)

Like most beauty related ventures, the more love and attention you give your décolleté, the better it is going to look. If you get in the habit of treating it as you do your facial skin, it will go a long way toward maintaining a youthful and vibrant look.

Laura Carson Miller is a freelance lifestyle writer and beauty expert published in magazines and on the web. Website: www.lauracarsonmiller.com.

Photo credit © Bobby Flowers | Dreamstime.com

Whether you’re applying your makeup bright and early in the morning or taking care of a few touch-ups before dinnertime, this foundation and camouflage brush is perfect for it all! Glominerals gave me the wonderful opportunity of testing out the Dual Foundation/Camouflage Brush and it has become my go-to. I even tested out the smaller end for my eyeshadow. Overall, I give this brush fifteen out of ten stars and two thumbs up! To purchase (for only $32!), visit www.gloprofessional.com

Q.   Should we always change our skin care when the weather changes? If we are getting good results is it necessary to switch anything?

A. I do believe ... Read More »]]>

Skin Care Expert & Celebrity Esthetician Renée Rouleau works with celebs like Demi Lovato, Jessica Simpson and Katie Cassidy, and believes there’s more to skin than the one-size-fits-all approach. As we head full on into fall and winter weather, it’s prime time for Renee’s expert advice on keeping your skin in tip top shape for the months to come. Here’s my informative Q & A with her; I know you’ll learn so much!

Q.   Should we always change our skin care when the weather changes? If we are getting good results is it necessary to switch anything?

A. I do believe it is helpful to use certain ingredients on your skin depending on the season (more antioxidant-based products are needed in the summer versus more moisturizing barrier repair ingredients are needed in winter) and to expose your skin to different benefits that ingredients can offer. I personally like to switch up 2-3 products in my skin care routine every change of season, primarily because my skin has different needs, but also to give my skin a bit of everything. This is a well-rounded approach that I find beneficial.

However, I do believe that it’s not absolutely necessary to change products as long as you’re getting results. The approach of “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it” is certainly valid, particularly for extremely sensitive skins who are often times made worse when introducing something new. But I do think it can be beneficial to alter your routine a few times a year.

As for completely switching to a new brand, this is not necessary as your skin will never know one line from another, but switching products will introduce new ingredients and therefore new results. That’s why I love that I created my line with over 72 products and nine skin types. It allows you to move around within my line without having to jump ship and find a whole new line.

As for skin building up immunity to skin care products over time, this simply is not true. While your skin can build up a tolerance to certain ingredients resulting in less sensitivity over time (retinols and acids), there is no direct mechanism for your skin to become immune to the effects of skin care products.

Do know that if your skin is changing, it’s time to change your skin routine. Our skin, like our bodies, is constantly changing. Particularly from hormone changes (more so in females), your skin can be acting perfectly normal and be problem-free, and then rashes, oiliness or acne can start to appear—at any age. I often hear, “I never had acne as a teenager and now I’m getting it in my 40’s!”

Q. If you have oily skin but experience winter dry patches or flakes should you use a heavier or different moisturizer or serum?

A. If you aren’t using a skin serum and you’re experiencing winter dryness, then I suggest start by introducing a serum to your skin care regimen, making sure it’s appropriate for oily skin. It is my belief that the very best way to enhance the results of your products and to give more hydration in the winter is to use a serum underneath your moisturizer or mask. When you feel like your skin needs something more and your moisturizer isn’t cutting it, this can really make a big improvement.

What exactly is a serum?  A serum is a skin care product that has a higher concentration of active ingredients, usually comes in a gel or creamy gel form and is meant for use under a moisturizer or mask.

What kind of active ingredients are used?  Soluble Beta Glucans for lessening breakouts from inside out and Silver Ear Mushroom which is five times more hydrating than Hyaluronic Acid (found in our Skin Correcting Serum), White Tea for calming redness and irritation instantly (found in our White Tea Soothing Complex), Glycolic Acid for exfoliation (found in Glycolic Serum), Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate for fading brown spots (found in our Vitamin C&E Complex), and Peptides for skin firming (found in our Intensive Firming Serum).

Q.  I know you are a fan of alcohol free toner. Can you refresh our memory about why toner is important and how it benefits the skin? What ingredients should we look for in a toner?

A. 1.They give your skin a drink of moisture when left damp on the skin before applying moisturizer (Make sure to only use an alcohol-free toner. Toners that contain alcohol are extremely drying to the skin and should never be used. See the collection of Renée Rouleau alcohol-free toners)

2. They remove drying chlorines and minerals found in tap water. Many chlorine and chemical agents are put into tap water to destroy harmful bacteria but they can be dehydrating to the skin.

3. They balance the PH in the skin. If you use a bar of soap or foaming face wash that might dry out the skin due to their low PH balance, a toner will help counteract the dryness that occurs.

4. They can enhance the results of your skin care program. Depending on the ingredients used in the toner, they can help calm, control oil, stimulate blood circulation, destroy acne-causing bacteria, provide anti-oxidant benefits and more.

5. They support your skin’s protective barrier. By supplying the skin with essential hydration and nutrients, you repair the skin’s protective barrier making it less sensitive and resistant to environmental damage. Ingredients to look for include sucrose, sodium PCA, hyaluronic acid, glycerin and aloe vera–all which soothe and hydrate the skin.

Renée’s exclusive skin care line is based on nine unique skin types, rather than the standard–dry, normal and oily. Her two Dallas skin care spas and products attract a celebrity clientele. Visit www.ReneeRouleau.com for more information.

Article by Laura Carson Miller. Laura is a freelance lifestyle writer and beauty expert in Atlanta. Her lifestyle blog is lcmLifestyle. Visit her website at www.lauracarsonmiller.com.

It’s October and with it, Breast Cancer awareness month and it’s time we ALL start thinking about miracles! As a partner in Surviving Beautifully, a brand new project to help women with aesthetic issues during treatment, it’s my latest, heartfelt work. I promise more about that later. For now, the ... Read More »]]>

“I believe in manicures. I believe in overdressing. I believe in primping at leisure and wearing lipstick. I believe in pink. I believe happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and… I believe in miracles. ” – Audrey Hepburn

It’s October and with it, Breast Cancer awareness month and it’s time we ALL start thinking about miracles! As a partner in Surviving Beautifully, a brand new project to help women with aesthetic issues during treatment, it’s my latest, heartfelt work. I promise more about that later. For now, the jewelry and fashion lover in me wants to Think Pink with style. Move over, my beloved pink ribbon, here are some picks for cool pink jewels and accessories:

Michael Von Krenner 14K Gold & Pink Spinel Ring

Gorgeous and sophisticated beyond belief!

Here are some beautiful, delicate earrings by Cathy Waterman with a decidedly antique flair:

Cathy Waterman Earrings

I’m thinking about them with a tailored Byron Lars dress I just saw….

Now onto the less serious: remember these? Who doesn’t! I guess the classics [??] never get old.

Jelly Bracelets

Sorry, designers, these are so ubiquitous that I didn’t know who to credit them to!

But jewelry can’t have ALL the fun: pink leather goods need some love too. Chanel is known for the subtle color palette, and this tote is no exception. C’mon, dontcha want it even if you don’t love baby pink 1000%?

Pink Chanel Tote

Don’t forget your keys: the King of Color, Jonathan Adler, has just the thing to corral them in cuteness:

Jonathan Adler Pink Poodle Keychain

The edgy German fashion designers Dirk Bikkembergs is known for his darkly quirky style. His pink kicks are quite a departure from his post-industrial chic and are just the thing to walk in this October.

Dirk Bikkembergs Pink Soccer Shoes

Finally, not to be too matchy-matchy, a classic shade from OPI: good color, great cause!

D

OPI Pink of Hearts Nail Lacquer

Be sure to think pink this month and support breast cancer awareness and research. Komen for the Cure is always a great place to start learning how to get involved.