Your Transformation Begins Right Here!

Anti-Aging Beauty Tips: Younger Looking Hands

Get the Upper Hand on Looking Young… Hands can show your age, that’s not news, but there are some new ways to get  – and keep – your hands looking younger. Even some 30-something celebrities have been photographed and ridiculed in the press and online because of their “claw-like” hands. It…

Visit FocusOnStyle.com for the full post

MAC Nail Trend Fall/Winter 2009 Collection

 

The MAC Nail Trend Collection for Fall/Winter 2009 is the result of a first-ever collaboration between MAC and renowned nail artist Jin Soon Choi. In her mind, Jin had a vision of developing highly pigmented, bold nail colours with a long-lasting, high-shine creme finish.  MAC’s vision was to develop a trend-driven nail collection that would appeal to beauty and fashion addicts everywhere.  I can tell you on all accounts that the collaboration was a success!

The MAC Nail Trend Fall/Winter ‘09 Collection includes the following:

Overlacquer

I was able to preview two shades from the MAC Nail Trend Collection: Cool Reserve and Dry Martini.  There were several reasons I really liked these colours. I only needed one coat of polish to achieve great colour payoff with Cool Reserve, which really fits with my hectic lifestyle.  I felt like I needed two coats of Dry Martini.  I think these colours are edgy but definitely wearable.  While Dry Martini isn’t a color I’d choose for myself, it pushed me to try something outside my comfort zone.  And that’s a good thing!  Lastly, I like the fashion aspect. That these are the colours that you see on the runways.

The shades in the  MAC Nail Trend Fall/Winter 2009 Collection have a suggested retail price of $12.00 US and $15.50 CDN.  The Collection is available at MAC counters and online at www.maccosmetics.com.

Autumn Skin Care Tips

As summer turns to autumn and the green leaves turn red, yellow and orange, your skin also changes with the season, says Joshua Fox, MD, a leading dermatologist, founder of Advanced Dermatology and a spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology.

While the autumn weather may encourage outdoor activities, your skin will retain less moisture because of the cooler, drier air. The same happens indoors as the heat goes on and up. Key symptoms of “autumn skin” include dryness, fine lines, dull and sallow skin tone, sun and age spots, flaking and irritation as well as the flare-up of some chronic conditions. “Your skin can remain beautiful and glowing, however, if you treat it correctly and make some minor adjustments to your beauty regime to account for the change of seasons,” Dr. Fox says.

During the fall, the skin needs extra nourishment and protection. “Three things that everyone should do to protect their skin in the autumn include drinking lots of water to remain hydrated, applying moisturizer before going outside to give it time to be absorbed and, importantly, continuing to use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15,” Dr. Fox says.

“Autumn presents special challenges to the face, body, hands, nails and feet,” he adds, explaining the specific issues facing each body part and offering tips for improving your skin’s appearance in the fall.

Face/Head: Despite the waning sun, it is still important to use sunscreen in autumn. Moisturizing is more important than ever, regardless of skin type. In fact, even oily skin needs a moisturizer. People with seborrhea, or dandruff, may experience autumn flare-ups. This chronic inflammatory skin disorder is more common in men than women and affects up to three percent of the population. It can be controlled by washing with special soapsand shampoos or topical steroids. If seborrhea does not improve or worsens, a dermatologist can provide additional treatments.

Body/Trunk: Moisturizer that is applied when the body is slightly damp after bathing is one of the most important things we can do to improve the condition and feel of our skin, Dr. Fox says. A body oil or cream should be applied over the whole body, concentrating on rough spots including the elbows, knees and feet. Moisturizers with an alpha hydroxy acid help exfoliate the skin’s outermost layer. Exercise is also a good moisturizer, as sweat provides a natural way of releasing toxins.

Some people may experience a flare-up of conditions such as psoriasis or eczema/atopic dermatitis in the fall. Psoriasis is a chronic disease of the immune system that appears on the skin, usually in the form of thick, red, scaly patches. According to the National Institutes of Health, up to 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis. There are many over-the-counter and prescription treatments for psoriasis. Your doctor can help you find the right one. Atopic dermatitis, or eczema, results in scratching that may lead to redness, swelling, cracking, “weeping” of clear fluid, crusting and scaling of the skin. Intensely itchy patches form, which can be widespread or limited to a few areas. Between 10 and 20 percent of people worldwide develop atopic dermatitis, making it the most common type of eczema. Eczema should be treated by a dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment including medication combined with lifestyle changes. There may even be a specific allergen which the dermatologist can discover to help make the eczema better.

Hands/Arms: Sun damage over the years can result in localized spots of hyperpigmentation that appear on the most exposed parts of the body, generally the hands, shoulders and face. Known as age spots or liver spots, these flat, gray, brown or black marks are harmless and don’t need treatment. However, because they may be confused with cancerous growths, any new marks should be checked by a physician. For cosmetic reasons, age spots can sometimes be lightened with skin-bleaching products or completely removed with the use of lasers. However, preventing age spots — by avoiding the sun and using sunscreen — may be the easiest way to avoid these spots.

Another common skin condition that may flare up in the fall is keratosis pilaris, which consists of rough patches and small, acne-like bumps, usually on the arms and thighs. In fact, keratosis pilaris may improve during the summer months, only to later worsen when the weather changes. This condition is not serious but is difficult to treat. Prescription medications and self-care measures including keeping skin moist can improve the appearance of your skin. Though quite common with young children, keratosis pilaris can occur at any age. Often, keratosis pilaris gradually improves on its own.

Nails: It is not uncommon for nails to start cracking or peeling. Avoiding harsh soaps and the more frequent use of moisturizer is usually the answer.

Feet: A major problem associated with the skin of the feet upon summer’s end is dry, cracked heels caused by wearing open backed shoes during the summer. Cracked heel problems can be relatively mild, with dry or flaky skin, to very severe and painful, with hard skin and deep fissures that are prone to bleeding and make walking uncomfortable. Cracked heels can be improved by taking care of the feet by using a natural foot scrub and pumice stone to slough away dead skin and moisturizing with a highly concentrated emollient base, petroleum jelly or a healing, natural oil, such as olive or sesame, urea or alphahydroxy acid. Some prescription creams may be required in resistant cases. If one has certain skin conditions, like psoriasis, scrubbing is not advised.

“While many people look forward to a refreshing, cool autumn after a long, hot summer, it’s important to remember that your skin needs to be treated differently as the seasons change,” Dr. Fox says. “Changing your beauty and skin care routine regularly, depending on the season, and remaining in close contact with your dermatologist, can keep your skin looking beautiful year round.”

Bio: Joshua L. Fox, M.D. is a leading authority in the field of dermatology with an expertise in skin cancer, cosmetic surgery, and laser procedures. As an official spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery, Dr. Fox has been an expert resource on dermatologic topics for numerous television networks including ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, including local broadcasting television spotlights, Telemundo, talk shows, radio stations, newspapers and magazines. Dr. Fox has served on the board of the National Rosacea Foundation and has done clinical trials in both medical and laser therapy in Rosacea. He has received multiple research and clinical awards including recognition from Top Doctors, Who’s Who, Journal of Dermatologic Surgery and Oncology, Community Service Award from the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery, the prestigious Husic Award as well as certificates of recognition for service from multiple hospitals, civic, educational and community organizations. Dr. Fox has authored and presented papers of his research on lasers, cosmetic procedures, stretch marks, scars, skin cancer, bug bites, photosensitivity and various rashes.

As founder and director of Advanced Dermatology and The Center for Laser and Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Fox and his associates have expanded the practice into one of the largest in dermatology, laser & cosmetic surgery with more lasers than any hospital or university center on the eastern coast. Dr. Fox is a graduate of the New York University Medical Center -Skin and Cancer and has been on the advisory board of the Psoriasis Foundation and National Rosacea Foundation among others. He has also been a fellow of many societies including the International Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, International Academy of Cosmetic Dermatology, and the Society for Investigative Dermatology. Dr. Fox is the founder of the AAD Melanoma/Skin Cancer Prevention Program in Queens, New York since 1987. Dr. Fox has been Chief of Dermatology of several major teaching hospitals including Mt. Sinai Hospital of Queens and Jamaica Medical Center and is currently on the staff of ten NY area hospitals. Dr. Fox and Advanced Dermatology the Center for Laser & Cosmetic Surgery have been used as a resource center educating dermatologists, laser surgeons, & cosmetic surgeons and others about lasers, cancer and cosmetic surgery and has one of the few Laser & Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship programs in the country. Dr. Fox is also the founder of the non-profit New Age Skin Research Foundation which participates and provides many research activities on unique issues of the skin and their causes or cures.

For more information, visit http://www.advancedd.com.

ShareThis

L’Oreal Reveals Beauty Habits in the Face of Recession

In an ongoing effort to better understand women’s beauty routines, L’Oreal, in its 100th year, commissioned an international usage survey. The research featured some unexpected findings about how women’s makeup habits are adapting in response to the recession, including how women are using makeup to get ahead at work.

The Beauty Barometer survey asked 4,000 women in the U.S. and four European countries about their cosmetic products and usage. And findings revealed that while women have changed the shades they purchase to be more “natural,” they won’t be giving up their favorite products anytime soon. Survey highlights include:

• Nearly half of U.S. women surveyed believe wearing makeup gives them an advantage at work and makes them feel more in control
• Four out of 10 U.S. women are wearing more neutral shades and a more natural makeup style than before the recession
• The majority of women surveyed believe wearing makeup makes them feel more self confident, and even more believe that wearing makeup improves their self image (82 percent and 86 percent respectively)

Proving that beauty is recession-proof, nine out of 10 women in the United States and Europe reported no change in makeup usage despite the economic crisis.

Women won’t compromise on their hair either – when it comes to saving money, most U.S. women surveyed (63 percent) have not cut their hair to make it less expensive to maintain.

L’Oreal has led the beauty industry for the past 100 years through a keen understanding of consumer attitudes and preferences. The brand’s goal has always been to make beauty accessible to all and to develop products that meet the cultural preferences and beauty needs of women and men around the globe.

Founded in 1909 with a single hair dye product, today L’Oreal operates in more than 130 countries, boasts more than 80,000 products from 23 leading beauty brands and creates more than 7,000 new formulations each year.

ShareThis