Recently in Aging Category

There are so many home use peels, I've used a lot of them and most have some effectiveness but I really have not noticed much differences among them. Until I tried the MD Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Peel. This is the first acid peel that has a 2 step process, first the acid (this is a blend of salicylic, glycolic and lactic acid) and then a neutralizer to stop the acid from continuing to penetrate the skin. This is the type of process you would get at a doctor's office. But let me back up. When you get a peel at a doctor's office, they need to use a neutralizer because the acid they use is super strong. But this neutralizer is still useful because it stops that annoying itching and stinging and calms the skin down. So it does serve a purpose but the acid itself is not strong enough to actually reverse aging, for that kind of result, you need to go to a doctor. What this will do is, it will remove the superficial layer of dead skin to reveal the nicer new skin below. You get super smooth skin and a youthful glow. For me, that's all I am asking for with a product like this. I have to say, my skin looks pretty damn good right now!!! If you use this daily, as it is intended, it might penetrate deep enough to have some effect on wrinkles but it would be subtle. After the first few uses, I didn't notice much of anything, but after more uses, I felt the acid intensify which means it took off the dead layers of skin and is getting deeper in the skin. Most doctors will tell you that daily use of this type of peel is effective but if nothing else it will prevent aging. And how do I know that? I just interviewed an Oculoplastic Surgeon and Liposculpture specialist and got the whole scoop on peels and other procedures. I will be posting that next week so make sure you check back for the very interesting and informative interview. MD Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel, 30 Day supply for $78, 60 day is $128. For convenience, the 30 Day Supply Travel Packs is $80 and are individually wrapped like the wet wipes you get after you eat ribs.

Best known for its highest quality stones and ability to combine gems in creations with extraordinary chromatic effects, Bvlgari is now exploring the beneficial properties of gem stones on the skin. Produced in Switzerland, each product contains Bvlgari Gem Essence; a formula of four extracts of fine and precious stones: sapphire, malachite, tourmaline and citrine. This unique formula provides three main benefits to the skin: radiance, nourishment and protection. There are three skincare programs: Precieuse Line, Lumiere Line and Cleansing Line. I received samples of the Precieuse line and am impressed with the luxurious and innovative line of skincare. The Serum Precieux felt lightweight but delivers a deeply hydrating formula that makes the skin appear younger immediately. It also left a very smooth texture which made it great to use during the day under make up. The night cream (Creme Precieuse Nuit) was equally impressive with a deeply nourishing texture that left my skin ultra soft and moisturized throughout the night. Available at Neiman Marcus North Park, call 214-363-8311 to order!

Bvlgari Serum Precieuse here

Bvlgari Creme Precieuse Nuit here.

I have been traveling non stop and not only have I not had time for my regular facials, my skin is in serious need of reviving. I finally got time to pamper myself at home with this Glycolactic Peel from REN. The people behind REN reminds me of Ben & Jerry, they love what they do and they want to make the world greener by doing things better. It is a totally green line using only renewable ingredients that are 100% natural and organic. This Glycolactic Peel has fruit enzyme and acids that is very gentle but totally powerful for a major pore cleanse and dead skin cell removal. I hate that part of the facial when they squeeze your face to death, I stopped doing facials like that and it is totally unnecessary when you use fruit acids and enzymes to remove that stuff. This will clean your pores completely, including any blackhead you may have. The morning after the peel, my skin looks peachy and flush. For the best results, I use a scrub the day after the peel to help with the skin renewal by removing any access dead skin that is on the surface. You will be amazed by the fresh skin that is yours!! The only caveat is, this peel does make you itchy and tingly while it's on and it needs to stay on for a full 10 minutes to have its full effect, but trust me, it is worth 10 minutes of a very slight discomfort. I walk around the house with it on and check emails or whatever to distract me. It is a peach color so you won't scare anyone with it on! REN Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask at Sephora for $55.

Summer is coming and you know what that means, girls! The sun is coming and it is going to make you old!! Ahhh!! I don't want to be an alarmist but now that I am almost 40, I worry a lot about wrinkly skin and with good reason. I NEVER lay out in the sun anymore, when I go to the beach, I make my husband erect the largest beach umbrella ever. It requires heavy anchors so the wind doesn't blow it over. Well, all this stress and concern has lead me to Natura Bisse's C+C Vitamin Body Cream. The intense pure vitamin C repairs cells and helps to firm the skin. You know how the skin falls away from the muscle when you age? Just think Donatella Versace in her bikini. Yeah, we do not want that to happen. This helps take that slack off and prevents it if you are not there yet, which is where I want to stay! It also smells so wonderful and feels super luxurious when I'm slathering it on. I just can't get enough of this and I am glad it comes in this jar so I can get big scoops in my hand and apply generously. The 17oz jar is $147 and worth every penny. At Neiman Marcus.

You are in for a real treat, girls! Every week in February you will have the chance to win the Daily Essentials Skincare System (valued at $150). You will love this anti-aging prevention and treatment cleansing, exfoliating, and hydrating trio. The detoxifying cleanser removes toxins as well as remove every day make up; the exfoliate, my personal favorite, has tiny crystals that leave your skin feeling refreshed and rejuvenated like never before. The hydrating moisturizer completes this mini facial experience leaving your face silky smooth.

Enter to win the Freeze 24/7 Daily Essentials Skincare System by answering the following: Who is this leading lady who already won 2 Golden Globes and is now nominated for an Oscar? Please put your answer in comments by Friday Feb. 6th at 11:59pm EST. One entry per person, please. Please use an active email address to enter so we can contact you when you win.

Thank you Freeze 24/7 for sponsoring this Snob Quiz Giveaway!

How many products claim to make your skin healthy as well as prevent common signs of aging? Yeah, can't be helped but I'm a bit of a skeptic. Seems like a lot to ask from a few products, but I am impressed by the Freeze 24/7 Daily Essentials Skincare System. I am hooked, I must admit, after using this for a week. There are three steps to this skincare system: Cleanse, Exfoliate, and Hydrate. You begin by using the Skin Glace Daily Detoxifying Cleanser and Mask. You would not think that this gentle and thin cleanser would be so powerful in actually removing your every day make up so thoroughly, but it does. You then go on to the IceCrystals Anti-Aging Prep and Polish, which I absolutely LOVE! This exfoliate has tiny crystals that you massage over your face that instantly give you the tingling sensation that let's you know things are working. Once you rinse and dry your face you will instantly notice the deep cleaning that leaves your face so soft and pure. The IceCream Double Scoop Intensive Anti-Aging Moisturizer completes this mini facial experience by rejuvenating the cells. You will go to sleep a very happy girl knowing that a lot was accomplished! After only a week, I have noticed my skin healthier, brighter and smoother. Freeze 24/7 Daily Essentials Skincare System, $150, also available at Henri Bendel, Fred Segal and Saks Fifth Avenue (in store only).

UPDATE: Shoe Goddess responds to Heidi's post! 

As much as I sympathize with Heidi's pain, I wonder if there was any preliminary sign to her foot situation and if she always wore well made shoes? I kind of see the article as a terrible blow to all the women (aged 50+) who gracefully wear high heels without the need of a trainer to teach them how to keep their balance in their high heels. This article also seems complete nonsense to me as a 45-year-old French woman, who has been wearing heels since I was 16 years old. I understand both Heidi and her mother's issues with high heels, but I also wonder if there were any steps that could've been taken before reaching the extreme. Although narrow shoes and high heels can contribute to bunions (hallux valgus) there is also a hereditary factor and choosing the right pair of shoes is really important. (jump to read more!)

A little while ago I wrote about the increasing amounts of frugal snob finds and just a few days ago, prior to its national launch this coming January, a limited pre-release of 1,000 Olay Professional Pro-X Anti-Aging Starter Protocols sold-out of pre-sale inventory in only 17 minutes! Given that in the days leading up to the pre-release, 80,000 women visited the Olay website to receive an e-mail reminder for the offer, I can just picture the scene - I'm imaging something straight out of 'Jingle All the Way' where Sinbad and Arnold Schwarzenegger fiercely fight over the same toy! Luckily due to high demand for Professional Pro X, which is Olay's most potent, professional, scientifically-advanced skin care line to date (they say it provides clinically-proven anti-aging results in 28 days), Olay is taking pre-orders for an additional 20,000 Anti-Aging Starter Protocols. I haven't tried this yet myself, but I've used their anti-aging products in the past and have been fairly satisfied. So if you're interested in experiencing the products that caused all this frenzy, you can sign-up now to be on the waiting list and reserve one. You'll also get $10 off and free shipping!

Heidi Dillon is the Founder of The Fashionistas.

Losing weight and keeping it off is a life-long battle for most women. For women over 50, it's not just a battle, it's all out war. After I had my baby, at the ripe old age of 44, I was, shall we say, a little zaftig. When I gave birth, I weighted a whopping 185 lbs. I was BIG. It took me a couple of years, but with a good diet (1200-1500 calories a day), hard exercise program (weight training, Muay Thai kickboxing, yoga) and a little plastic surgery (tummy tuck), I got the blubber off and ended up with a hard, lean body and was very proud of the fact that I had a 6-pack when I hit 50. Those were the days when we all wore low-rise jeans, midriff -baring tops and tight Gucci dresses, and, believe me, my abs butt being what they were, I worked those looks like crazy.

Fashions changed, as they always do, and our eyes adjusted to the new unstructured looks of Marni and Dries. I embraced these looks for their comfort and ease. When I donned a Marni dress to go out with my husband he would say, "that looks comfortable", which was not a compliment. He never did adjust to my attire going from hot to slop. Like most things that I embrace, I went off the deep end, buying up every sack dress I could get my hands on and I gained 10 lbs. Now, don't get me wrong here, I'm not blaming Consuela Castiglioni for my weight gain, but, let's face it, when you put on something baggy, you never have those "oh-oh" moments that you get when pulling on your tight jeans that are a little too tight from stepping off your diet program. Nope. Everything is always roomy and comfy. (Jump for more!)

I'm only in my 20s so thankfully I don't have to worry about age-related wrinkles just yet, but I've been known to obsess over frown and smile lines to no end. Though I'm not at the point where I need to be thinking about injections, lasers, and lifts I'm a strong believer in preventative care! So I'm happy to report that the star of Clarins' Fall Product Line this year is the Clarins Extra-Firming Tightening Lift Botanical Serum 1.06 oz ($75). I just starting using it (after cleansing and before moisturizing in the evening), and besides the wonderful smell (Clarins products always have this great non-invasive, fresh, clean smell), there is a definite, immediate firming effect and like Prescriptives' Super Line Preventor Xtreme ($38), it's a great natural, cosmetic quick-fix to daggle fine lines. Also, when I applied it under my makeup it increased the hold of my bronzer. Though the product is aimed at 40-somethings, I think it would work for anyone looking for a simple anti-aging serum to add to a cleansing/moisturizing routine (unlike so many other firming/tightening serums I've tried, this one isn't part of some long 5-step process..though I suppose if you were to buy the whole Extra-Firming line it could be...). Check-out more specific information on what is in this serum and the key benefits after the jump!

When I was on TV, I learned many tricks from my make up artist, all of which I still use today!  One of my favorite tricks is highlighting my brows both under the browbone, and above the brows.  This gives depth to the brows and makes you look youthful and we can all use a hefty dose of looking younger can't we?  I usually use a shadow to highlight those areas but discovered Anastasia's Brow highlighter pen, which is so much easier to use and control!  Shadows inevitably end up on my brows which is annoying but this pencil allows me to highlight without a mess!  Even better that you can also use it as eyeliner or anywhere you want to highlight on your face!  I keep this in my make up bag for instant pick me up when I'm feeling haggardly.  $21 at Anastasia's boutique in Beverly Hills or order it online!  

Many of my readers tease me for my fickleness towards make up.  I constantly change my foundation, eyeliners, shadows, lipglosses, etc.  Yes, partly because I am an obsessive shopper and like buying new things but the real reason I update my make up the way I update my wardrobe is because it is the key to staying young!

There is nothing worse than becoming a caricature of what you looked like at 20 years old when you are now 30 or 40 (look at me 10 years ago, thankfully I grew out of my Spice girl thing and good thing the girls themselves have, too!).  You know who I'm talking about, women stuck in a time warp with 80's big hair (I am not poking fun, I had my share of purple Aqua net in the '80s!), 60's thick make up or shaggy 70's hair-- yikes!  So, play around with new make up and freshen up your look as often as you freshen up your clothes to avoid being stuck in a time warp!  The rule of thumb with aging is, the older you are, the less make up you should wear.  For example, heavy foundations will collect in your lines and will accentuate your wrinkles!  Our skin becomes 10% drier each decade and to combat that, choose a good tinted moisturizer with reflective particles to make your skin glow!

The number one question sent to me from beauty snobs of all ages is-- "How do I age gracefully"? Take a stroll through Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills or Bergdorf Goodman in NYC and you will see how NOT to do so from women who flaunt their latest scars from face lifts, brow lifts, etc. It appears having plastic surgery that looks obvious is the new status symbol, bizarre right? Puzzling as it may be, it's the "designer" plastic surgery syndrome-- women who want you to know they spent a lot of dough on their faces. Kind of like carrying an expensive bag, except it's your face. I am not judging those who do it, I mean lord knows what I'll be doing when I turn 50 but I am just saying, why not make some simple changes now to prevent drastic measures later!?!?

With that in mind, we are starting our new weekly column. The Art of Aging Gracefully. We will address issues for women in their 20's, 30's, 40's and beyond. We'd also love for you to participate by giving us your anti-aging tips in comments!

Remember, you don't want to look like this, EVER. Instead, you should strive to look like this in your 70's. But until then, you can follow our Aging Gracefully tips and learn to make the most of the changes to your face and body that will inevitably occur! Jump to see our tips of the week!

I'm curious, what are your thoughts on plastic surgery?