May 2007 Archives

Tinsley Mortimer, social girl about town, has been tapped by Dior to be Dior's Beauty Ambassador of the US, joining the ranks of iconic blonde beauties Charlize Theron and Sharon Stone. Tinsley has always been a self professed fan of Dior Beauty, most notably Dior's Addict Ultra-Gloss, which she ranks as one of her all time top favorites (we love this ultra shiny and sexy gloss too, especially the Chiffon Beige, a great color to complement your summer bronzer!). As the new face of Dior Beauty, Tinsley will work with the brand's US marketing team and help launch products by appearing at select Dior Beauty events. We understand the power of celebs as Charlize and Sharon to sell beauty products but a girl known for very little other than showing up at parties for photo ops? Don't get me wrong, Tinsley is a lovely girl (she is actually cuter in person) but will American consumers 1.)recognize her or 2.)care? That is to be determined. Dior Ultra Gloss at Sephora.com

Source: The Daily and New York Mag

I see these products sold everywhere now and I just have to share my experience with this entire line of products including their spa treatments. I started using Sonya Dakar in 1996 after spending much time in Asia and was beaten down by the constant remarks on my "dark" skin. Yes, I admit I have freckles but after a certain age they are no longer freckles but "age spots". I was horrified as a vain girl in my 20's to have anything on me referred to me as "age" anythings. So when I heard all the great things about Sonya Dakar and her treatments, I immediately made an appointment to see her. I signed up for the 10 treatment series and bought every single product aimed at reducing my so called "age spots". Thousands of dollars and 10 months later, I had a bathroom full of useless products and a face still full of freckles, age spots, liver spots, whatever you call them they were all still there. They claim that their program is 100% satisfaction guaranteed and refundable but when I went back to ask about this deal, they claimed that I did not follow the regiment. Too bad I didn't have Beauty Snob back then to back up my claim of being dedicated and regimented about my skin care. I was upset but I did still get facials every month for 10 months and my skin looked great otherwise so I decided to let it go and chalk it up to a lesson learned. I might be in the minority here since every celebrity from Gwyneth Paltrow to Drew Barrymore refer to her as their "fairy skin mother" but that was my experience. Some of the very pricey products I used are: Complexion Corrector $78; Triple Action Organic Scrub - Discoloration $49; Lightening Mask $67.

I received a .20 oz sample of the Sublimage eyecream (almost half of the full size .50 oz!) when I purchased my Teint Innocence and took it on my trip with me as it was the perfect travel size. I wasn't expecting to love it but had to pack for 17 days with a toddler and did not have room for my full sized products. After using it for two weeks, however, I am officially a Sublimage addict. Not only is it rich and soothing (there are no oil glands around the eye area so your eye cream must be more nourishing than your face cream), it also rids of fine lines better than any eye cream ever! And that includes the La Prarie eye cream I have used since college. I did some research on it when I finally returned home this weekend and discovered that it's not only good for our wrinkles, its main ingredient (Planifolia-PFA from a unique botanical fruit) is organic and grown in Madagascar where it has created an entire industry for the locals! As Sprig.com says, Use Sublimage, Save Madagascar! I drove to Barneys Dallas Monday in the pouring rain to buy a full sized jar, I am completely OCD (have you noticed) and have to have whatever it is I am craving that minute or I literally combust out of fear that it will sell out, get discounted, or that my useless brain will forget to remind me to buy it. It was Memorial Day and my hubby and son were waiting for me to go to lunch but I had to have my Chanel Sublimage eyecream first! I ripped open the box in the car on the way home and massaged it to my eye area as I drove home, I felt like a crack addict getting my fix! As with everything Chanel, the packaging was exquisite as is the square glass container it comes in. In one word, the Sublimage eye cream is sublime! $160 at Barneys New York, Neiman Marcus, and Chanel.com

I love technology and I am all for science helping to improve my looks, especially if it is harmonious with nature. Bionova was founded by a nano-biology scientist and all the products are formulated to simulate our natural cells. That means that everything is perfectly in synch with our body because it acts as though they are the cells themselves even though it is man-made. The products are very specific and problem driven, for example I got the aging hands treatment cream ($44) which I am in desperate need of after a dry winter (and my habit of washing my hands constantly). Hands show age as much as the face does and it usually does not get as much care and attention which gives away your age no matter how well preserved your face is. So far I am impressed with the results. I do have one minor complaint, the products contain no perfumes but they do have a smell that I do not like. I was told that this is my body's "natural" scent and that it varies for everyone so I guess my complaint should be taken up with my body chemistry instead? I also got the acne and scar treatment ($48) for my cousin who was in an accident and has a terrible scar on her face (she is 14 so this scar is of great concern). She does not have an acne problem but the cream regenerates the skin cells and improves the metabolism of dysfunctional cells to reduce the appearance of the scar. Bionova's specialty is their N1-Custom Care products which are formulated specifically for you - using a quick and easy questionnaire asking your age, skin characteristics and lifestyle, custom products will be made and shipped directly to you with your name printed on the label. The ready made products are reasonably priced and worth a try. If you find that they work well, I would then invest on the custom products (at about double the price) to get maximum benefit.

In order to save the honeybees (who may or may not be in danger), I am continuing honey awareness today. One of the most incredibly delicious honey products on the market is Natura Bisse's Honey Body Refiner. Made of pure crystallized honey and Spanish magnolia, this delectible body refiner feels rich and velvety and leaves your skin utterly soft. How soft you ask? So soft you'll feel like fresh churned butter to the touch! I have been addicted since Christmas and sometimes I catch myself taking two showers a day so I can indulge. As a mother of a toddler, there is no time for baths but with the Honey Body Refiner, I don't need a long bath to feel pampered! A jar will last you many months and is worth every single penny. $105 at Neiman Marcus, if you break it down to 110 days, it's less than a dollar a day!

Speaking of indulging, I attended the most fabulous ladies luncheon in New York yesterday sponsored by Natura Bisse at the new "London" hotel with epicurean delights from Gordon Ramsay of Hell's kitchen fame. It is a very chic boutique hotel on west 54th St between 6th and 7th, you must stay there the next time you plan a trip to New York! Anyway, the luncheon was to introduce Natura Bisse's line of luxurious products to 35 of New York's finest girls. The luncheon hosts were Candace Bushnell, Coralie Charriol Paul, Christina Greeven Cuomo, and my dear friends Kimberly Schlegel Whitman and Gigi Howard. In attendance were Holly Peterson of Newsweek, freelance fashion writer Tatiana Boncompagni, Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos, Vogue's Beauty Editor Sarah Brown, Caroline Berthet of Jimmy Choo, Fabiola Beracasa, Dylan Lauren, Karen Duffy, Annie Churchil, Tinsley Mortimer, and of course moi, the Beauty Snob herself. I will have more photos and details later this week, Vogue, WWD, and Patrick McMullen photographers were all there as well but you lucky Beauty Snob readers will get the 411 first so stay tuned!

I love honey and was horrified to read that radiation from cell phones might be killing our honeybees! The theory is that radiation given off by mobile phones interferes with bees' navigation systems, preventing the bees from finding their way back to their hives. If this is true, it could wipe out our bees and thus our honey! I not only love eating honey, I love beauty products with honey in it. There are many beauty benefits of honey, it's a natural humectant so it attracts and retains moisture to your skin. It contains essential vitamins such as B5 and panothenic acid as well as minerals such as zinc and magnesium, which further increase the skin's moisture retention. Besides all of these benefits, honey is also the only sweetener that contains amino acids, the essential building blocks of proteins, which cells need to grow and maintain their structure! If you have not tried any honey based products, here are a few of my favorites:

Mario Badescu has a delicious smelling Honey Moisturizer with orange extract to hydrate and nourish skin. Also contains AHA to smooth and soften skin. $25

L'Occitane Honey Face Cream has a blend of propolis, royal jelly and honey from bee hives in the Provencal (even the bees are chic in France!) $34

Erase wrinkles with Collective Wellbeing's Honey Buff- packed with vitamin C in addition to honey, it exfoliates while softening.

Article source: the Indedpendent

It's well known that tan legs look skinnier and more youthful, that is until sun damage starts accumulating and your knees start sagging down to your ankles. A healthier alternative is to use products that help you obtain that bronzed glow without risking skin cancer. Philosophy's Big Skinny Tinted Body shaper is a body bronzer which gives the illusion of slimmer shapes. It's also made of shea butter which conditions and shapes your skin (thrice weekly workouts will do same by the way). I like that it's scent-free so you don't walk around all day long sniffing yourself and wondering if everyone else does too. It's also longer lasting than many of the other brands. Try The Big Skinny Nude for yourself and let me know how skinny your legs look in 5 minutes. At Sephora for $25.

The Jiggle Gel from Benefit contains chocolate and cayenne pepper and tightens and tones the skin, it's a favorite of jet setters as applying it to lower legs before, during, or after flying prevents swelling and puffiness. I think I need to hire an assistant to fly with me just to carry the beauty products I require on flight! $26 at Benefit.com.

The Queen of Political Correctness has launched a line of luxurious skincare that is not only good for the environment, it's good for your skin too! CARE by Stella McCartney is made of 100% organic ingredients with no animal by products or testing! Inspired by Stella's commitment to vegetarianism and protecting the environment, this is also a line that stays true to her penchant for luxury. The line includes cleansers, moisturizers, and serums and elixirs that promise the glow of youth, all packaged in airtight containers that are chic and stylish. I tried the Radiance and Youth elixir made of red, pink, and green teas with vitamin C and it feels amazing on the skin! It promises to protect, energize, and stimulate, all things a girl needs to feel youthful. Care by Stella McCartney Radiance+Youth Elixir 1 oz at Sephora $64. Now you can splurge without feeling guilty, you are beautifying yourself and the environment!

Care by Stella McCartney Discovery Set in travel size tubes is a good way to try out the products to see what works for you. $38

My friends have called me "Luminous" for years and I have never shared my secret with any of them, preferring to let them think I was blessed with skin that glowed like a baby. (You know how a baby glows at the temple and right above the lip? That's where I apply my secret weapon.) What is my secret you ask? It's Revlon's Bare it All lustrous lotion (previously called Revlon SkinLights with spf 15). I've tried all the expensive brands of "glow" products but none compare to the subtle glow of Revlon's product! Most make you look greasy, sweaty, or sparkly, none of which are a flattering look for anyone. My favorite shade is the Nude, it is the most natural. The secret is also in the application, don't make the mistake of spreading this all over your face or mixing it into your foundation unless you want to look like a greaseball. A little dab goes a long way! After applying your foundation (or moisturizer if you don't wear foundation), put a drop on each temple and right above your upper lip, you'll be on your way to luminosity all day long! Just don't tell my friends :) $14.95 at Target or your local drugstore.

Post by Michelle
I’m an avid runner. I love the feel of my muscles moving first thing in the morning. Unfortunately that great feeling usually leads to sore muscles later in the afternoon. I’ve tried a lot of remedies for sore muscles but the one I’ve found works best is Arnica Active Spray by Kneipp. Arnica is a natural remedy that has been used for years. It cools and soothes your muscles in an instant. I was a bit wary when trying this at first, but it really works. It’s a softly cooling sensation that eases any sort of discomfort. I recommend it for athletes and also for people who stand on their feet all day. As a bonus, Arnica helps reduce the appearance of bruises. It comes in many different forms and this spray is just one of them. Try it in any form that works for you and run or work out with ease! $15 at bigelowchemists.com