August 2009 Archives

Bag Snob Derek Lam reaches perfection.

Beauty Snob Grow lashes and fight autism now!

Couture Snob looks to InStyle for the Fall Fabs.

Tot Snob's Tot found Ponyo, Lovely but Scary.

I started a new lash conditioner, Md Lash Factor, recently and am so impressed with it that I am forgoing the usual 6-9 week trial period before posting a review.  A friend of mine had been raving about a Taiwanese doctor (Dr. Susan Lin-- Ob/Gyn) who had formulated an eyelash conditioner that made her lashes so long they were touching her glasses, her brows etc etc (ok, show off!).  I decided to try it for myself and after 3 weeks, can attest that it's true, it works!  I stopped using Latisse for about 13 days and was surprised how quickly my lashes returned to its puny size (back in early July, though I didn't post its review until August when I returned from vacation) and started MD Lash Factor while on vacation in Malibu.  Within the first couple of weeks I noticed that my lashes seemed fuller at the roots and the outer corner lashes were longer (my lashes never grow evenly).  You must try this one, it's one of the best I've used in the market and I plan to stick with it for a while!  (Note: Dr. Lin is a mother of Peter and Katherine. Peter is a 10 year old boy with autism. 5% of net profit from the lash conditioner product will be dedicated to benefit autism initiatives.)

MD Lash Factor Review and Rating from scale of 1-4, 4 being best.

Effectiveness: 4-- Lashes were noticeably fuller after the first week.  Currently at 3 weeks, the outer lashes seem to have grown longer.
Stinging: 4-- This does not sting at all!  Sensitive eyes and contact lens users can proceed without fear!
Side Effects: 4-- NONE!
Applicator: 4- One of the best applicators in the lash conditioner market, it's not too thin nor too thick, like Goldilocks, I've finally found an applicator that is perfect and am able to apply it to the lashline without any product getting into my eyes!  

Get MD Lash Factor for $140 here. (Don't forget 5% of net proceeds will benefit autism!)

I did something very unlike me. I'm totally not spontaneous and always think ahead (must be something about being German and going to a French Lycee for 13 years -- discipline and organization are in my blood!), but I decided on Saturday to book a trip to Bilbao, Biarritz and Munich and am leaving on Monday! I'm joining my family who I haven't traveled with in years and am excited to get out of the sticky NYC weather! Unfortunately I only have one day to pack and I already feel the anxiety! One thing is for sure, I will be bringing the Clarisonic Mia with me. I've been using the original Clarisonic for over a year now and I can't stress the wonders it has done for my skin! After one use your skin is significantly smoother and it doesn't take much more than a few weeks to see less fine lines, reduced pore size, and an improvement in the texture of your skin. Plus it removes makeup and when I do have little break-outs the Clarisonic is like speedy Gonzales in clearing them up! More after the jump!

According to the scientists at CHANEL Beaute, a lifted and toned appearance requires more than a boost of collagen and elastin. It also requires TENSIN, a critical protein, naturally abundant in young skin, that anchors and connects cells to the skin's dermal network. CHANEL scientists discovered that the key to helping restore tensin to its youthful level is Elemis PFA*, an exclusive, powerful ingredient targeted to stimulate the production of this age-defying protein.

I am really excited about this line, especially since THE LEGENDARY RESTORATIVE POWERS OF THE ELEMI TREE is widely believed by heal skin in traditional Chinese medicine.   The tree, indigenous to Luzon (a little island in the south pacific) which lifts itself to soaring heights of up to 190 feet, secretes a resin so potent that the tree will heal itself with absolutely no visible traces of injury.  I've been using the  ULTRA CORRECTION LIFT Sculpting Firming Concentrate ($165) and the ULTRA CORRECTION LIFT Lifting Firming Night Cream ($165) along with my new regime and love the way my skin feels after applying the concentrate.  Skin feels slightly tighter and lifted, I even use it under make up!  Check out the line at Chanel.com, when the weather gets colder I plan on trying the day fluid as well (right now I'm only using the iS advanced serum with a sunscreen).

Celebrity and expert stylist for Pantene, Hallie Bowman, recently hosted an event for Pantene where she showcased some of fall's hottest looks along with step-by-step instructions on how to achieve them. One of my favorite fall looks is the half-up glam style which looks like a variation on the classic Pompadour. It's a day-to-night look that's put together, but not too old-school. A good tip that Bowman gave while showing us how to create this look is to leave some hair behind the ear (a la Angelina Jolie)...so wonderfully effortless looking! Jump for Hallie's how-to guide to get this look! 

La Mer just came out with The Radiant Concealer SPF 25 and I am officially hooked.  I've been using it daily and love that it has spf in it.  This lightweight cream-to-powder treatment concealer was formulated to instantly camouflage and ease imperfections. Tourmaline and malachite gemstones capture light energy to conceal dark circles and blemishes. The Radiant Concealer SPF 25 creates a smooth even finish no matter how hot or humid the weather is. My skin stays flawless even after a round of kickboxing!

You must try this, the little applicator makes it easier on the delicate skin under the eyes, too!  $65 at LaMer.com

Guest blog: Renee Rouleau

In my 20+ years of working with skin in my Texas skin care spas and developing skin care products, I've come up with five of my favorite skin care ingredients...and these should be your favorites, too!

Salicylic Acid- It's a keratolytic beta hydroxy acid (BHA) famous for its ability to smooth the skin without causing irritation, reduce acne-causing bacteria and oil to prevent blemishes, all while penetrating the pores to help clear out impurities (making it also excellent for reducing blackheads). You'll usually find Salicylic Acid in cleansers and moisturizers formulated for skins prone to break outs, as well as in acne spot treatments. It's a fabulous ingredient with proven results in reducing blemishes.

Vitamin C (Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate)-One of the most powerful age-fighting ingredients on the market today is Vitamin C proven to act as a body guard for your skins collagen to prevent free radicals from increasing skin aging. However, not all Vitamin C is equal. Most Vitamin C products use the acid forms of Vitamin C (like Ascorbic Acid or Alpha Lipoic Acid) which is why you can feel a stinging sensation on the skin. My research on skin aging indicates that daily use of skin irritating acids actually encourage free radical formation, which counteracts the reason why you are using Vitamin C in the first place! Plus, the problem with these Vitamin C acids is that they are highly unstable and break down every time you open the bottle and oxygen gets to the product. If your Vitamin C product starts to turn brown half way through the bottle, that's a sign that it is oxidizing and is losing its effectiveness. (Think of an apple that turns brown 20 minutes after taking a bite.) Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, which is believed to be one of the most beneficial types of Vitamin C is the one that I use in my products because it doesn't cause skin irritation and won't lose its ability to fight free radicals.