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Skincare in Your 20s

Your twenties are all about prevention and health. Taking good care of your skin now will greatly benefit you down the road.

Recommendations:

• Listen to your mother. Get enough sleep, eat well, don’t smoke (ever) and use products that are gentle and keep your skin healthy and balanced.
• Keep it simple. Typically, your skin is plump and healthy in your twenties and doesn’t require a slew of products to achieve a natural glow.
• Get in the SPF habit. It’s never too early to be proactive about taking care of your skin. Preventative care and developing healthy skin care habits early on makes a big difference later in life. Find a daily SPF moisturizer that works for your skin type and use it daily.
• Tread lightly. Unless you need stronger products for acne-prone skin, go with gentler products that keep skin healthy and don’t strip natural moisture. Avoid anything too abrasive.

Try: Sebamed Liquid Face & Body Wash

This two-in-one wash gently cleanses the skin with its ultra-mild, soap-free formula, while also restoring the skin to a pH balance of 5.5 – the exact pH of healthy skin. Ideal for all skin types, Sebamed helps maintain the skin’s protective mantle and shields it from environmental factors that can break it down. $12.99 at CVS drugstores nationwide and sebamedusa.com.

Skincare in Your 30s

In your 30s, the production of collagen and elastin starts to slow and the effects of genetics and environmental factors such as sun exposure start to creep onto your face.

Recommendations:

• Up your “Anti’s.” Replace the skin-sabotaging bad habits with good ones, like wearing an antioxidant-enriched SPF every single day, eating and drinking antioxidant-rich foods.
• Wear your vitamins. Your best bets are products with retinol (active vitamin A) and vitamin C to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
• Feed your face. Add an extra umph to your skincare routine by eating retinol (anti-wrinkle super ingredient!) rich foods like sweet potatoes, carrots, dark leafy greens, butternut squash and spices like paprika, red pepper cayenne and chili powder.

Try: Meaningful Beauty

This skincare line from Cindy Crawford has everything you need to keep skin nourished and protected without costing a fortune. The starter kit includes a Skin Softening Cleanser, Antioxidant Day Crème Broad Spectrum SPF 20, Crème de Sérum, Lifting Eye Crème and Brightening Décolleté/Neck Treatment. $39.95 plus shipping and handling at meaningfulbeauty.com.

Skincare in Your 40s and Beyond

Skincare in your 40s and beyond should focus on repairing past damage, slowing the signs of aging and preventing further damage. Once we hit our 40s, the rate at which the skin renews and repairs itself becomes much slower, so your skin begins to show signs of aging at a faster pace. In addition to common signs of aging, women are also forced to face their skin sins of the past. Remember those sunny beach days in your teens? They are now starting to show up on your face as sun spots and hyperpigmentation. All is not lost! It is simply time to boost skincare regimen with anti-aging products that will help restore your natural radiance.

Recommendations:

• Keep it up. Never stop preventing skin damage. Just because you have a few sun spots or lines on your face does not mean you can’t prevent new ones from forming. Keep on top of your preventative routines including daily use of a hydrating sunscreen with broad spectrum SPF and a night cream that deeply moisturizers while you sleep
• Brighten up. When it comes to treating the damage you already have, look for products that have brightening qualities. These products fade the dark spots you already have, even out the skin tone and give you that natural glow your skin once had.

Try: Repêchage Biolight Brightening Corrective Skin Care

Repêchage Biolight Daytime Protection Cream ($95) is a daily moisturizer containing zinc oxide that hydrates and tones skin while providing protection against environmental aggressors. Repêchage Biolight Brightening Overnight Cream ($100) is a power-packed cream that combines three clinically proven peptides to rapidly help reduce the appearance of uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation. These revolutionary new products contain the latest in skin brightening science and innovative marine bio-technology to help reduce the appearance of uneven skin tone and imperfections from sun damage, hormones, post-acne scarring and certain prescription medication. Available at top salons and spas worldwide including locally at Tocaloma Spa & Salon and repechage.com.

The post Skincare for Every Age: Great Skin in Your 20s, 30s, 40s and Beyond appeared first on Spa Blah Blah.

Why then do so many of us skip this step in our daily regimen? Among the most common objections are that sunscreens give skin a greasy, white cast and are loaded with chemicals. We hear you loud and clear and in the spirit of keeping sun damage to a minimum, we hand-picked products specially formulated to answer to your most common sunscreen complaints. Translation: No excuses!

1. Sunscreens leave a white, chalky film on my skin.

Most sunscreens contain either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, both of which are white, powdery mineral compounds that physically deflect the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Your best defense against damage, these compounds are also notorious for coating skin with a chalky hue. The good news is that sunscreen developers have responded with fast-absorbing formulations that leave little to zero visible residue. For a sunscreen minus the white film, try DermaQuest Skin Therapy ZinClear SPF 30.

2. Sunscreens are oily and trigger breakouts.

If you have acne-prone skin or active breakouts, sunscreen should be high on your priority list. The sun can amplify redness and lead to scarring. Look for oil-free or gel-based formulations that are lightweight and specifically formulated to balance oil production. For sunscreen that protects acne-prone skin, try Murad Anti-Aging Moisturizer SPF 20 PA for Blemish Prone Skin.

3. Sunscreens have chemicals and I prefer natural products.

Eco-friendly, chemical-free skincare lines are a thriving market and offer more than just products that smell good enough to eat. Organically based innovators such as Eminence Organic Skin Care offer several daily use SPF face and body creams infused with natural ingredients. For a sunscreen that lifts and protects with organic botanicals, try Eminence Persimmon & Cantaloupe Day Cream SPF 32.

Explore more sunscreens.
Save your skin with self-tanners.

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The Firmarine Night cream is a super nourishing treatment that repairs and recharges skin overnight. Laszlo Blue is full of skin-pampering ingredients like shea butter, Spriulina Maxima (which promotes collagen production) and Icelandic moss and blackcurrant seed (to restore elasticity).

Because I typically have combination, acne-prone skin, I was hesitant to try this cream, which is geared toward slightly dry to dehydrated skin. But I was pleasantly surprised by this miracle cream! After a single night of using this product, I woke up to hydrated, moisturized skin reminiscent of the smooth, glowing complexion I’m blessed with after a facial. The best thing about this product is that it did not cause any additional breakouts and worked great for my combo skin!

While this cream is on the pricier side, it’s well worth it for the quality ingredients and the fact that it actually works. Plus, a little goes a long way! If your skin is in serious need of a quick boost, check out Blue Firmarine Night Cream. You can thank me later.

Get Erno Laszlo Blue Firmarine Night Cream at ernolaszlo.com and select beauty retailers for $225.

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Nothing says ooh-la-la like a pair of voluminous eyelashes! To get the “come hither” look of pumped up lashes without loading up on chemicals, try Organic Wear Jumbo Lash Mascara by Physicians Formula ($5.99). The name doesn’t lie. This mascara pumps up the volume in a major way. Organic, preservative- and GMO-free, this mascara does the heavy lifting of a non-organic brand but without all the harsh chemicals.

From eyes to smiles, lipstick can take your look from snoozes-ville to “heeeey, gurl” in a matter of moments. Because tangerine is having a major moment, try nvey ECO lipstick in shade number 360 ($29). This tangerine lipstick is smooth and long-wearing and since you eat all of your lipstick anyway (where else do you think it goes?), you’ll feel comfortable knowing that it’s 100 percent organic.

Be good to your epidermis with the peppermint body care line by La Licious (starting at $9.50). A Sugar Souffle Scrub whipped into submission and followed up with their body oil makes your skin feel silky smooth and totally touchable. La Licious is all about being kind to your body and to the earth, and that is why it is  one of my favorite brands!

Treat your nails to something a little special with Dermelect Cosmeceuticals Anti-Aging Nail Lacquers ($16-$18). These nail lacquers (fancy way of saying nail polish) are DBP-, Toluene- and Formaldehyde-free. ProSina Protein Peptide is used to strengthen nails, increase moisture and assist in growth. I mean, what’s not to love about it?

If you’re looking for a great ant-aging formula, then look no further than Stages of Beauty Serums (starting at $52.99). With specific formulas for women in their 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s, the line is made without parabens, sulfates, phthalates, GMOS, petrochemicals and synthetic dyes. They utilize ingredients like hyaluronic acid, seaweed and red extract to soothe irritated skin, help keep skin supple and smooth, assist in supporting collagen and elastin, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Remember to be good to yourself and our planet on Earth Day and every day. If you need any other recommendations for green beauty feel free to ask in the comment section below. Happy shopping, my Green Goddesses!

Got a green beauty product you love? Let us know by commenting below!

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Sephora by OPI gelshine At-Home Gel Colour System comes in a convenient box with all of the materials that you need for an at-home gel manicure, including top and base coat, one gel color of your choice, and all of the tools for application and removal, such as cuticle oil and gel color remover. The gelshine LED light is compact and lightweight, and ready for use as-is.

There's no assembly required – all you have to do is plug it in! At-home gel manicures are a time commitment, so I appreciate that this kit required no set-up.

One of the best things about Sephora by OPI gelshine is that it comes with an easy-to-follow and illustrated gel guide that walks you through the entire process – from nail cleaning and prep to after-manicure maintenance. You also can scan a QR code on the front of the guide with your smartphone to watch an instructional video.

After all of the tedious manicure maintenance – nail filing, shaping, etc. – the actual process of the gelshine manicure is pretty easy. Basically, it goes like this:

• Apply base coat
• Cure under the LED light for 30 seconds
• Apply color coat
• Cure for 30 seconds
• Apply optional second color coat (I think it was necessary)
• Cure for 30 seconds
• Apply top coat
• Cure for 30 seconds

As the final steps, saturate a nail pad with nail cleanser (both included) and remove gel residue by wiping over nail and under its edge. Then wash your hands and massage in the cuticle oil to keep them soft and pretty. It's really quite easy! And, trust me, 30 seconds is a quick curing time for gel manicures.

It's the removal process that got a bit tricky for me. Thankfully, the gelshine kit comes with all of the tools that you'll need. But wrapping each removal pad over my nails individually was a little tough and then you have to keep the removal pads on for 20 minutes before you can scrape off the gel with the cuticle pusher. Even then, some of the gel sticks so you may need to double up on the color remover.

One other issue that I had was keeping the polish from smudging on surrounding skin. I was cursed with shaky hands, so my at-home manicures tend to be "make a mess now, clean it up later." It's harder to "clean up" flubs with gel polish and sometimes I would forget to do so before curing! (Editor's tip: The beauty of gel polish is that it doesn't dry before you cure it under the LED light. Keep an eyeliner brush handy and dip it into the nail cleanser to clean up any smudges before curing.)

But I do think that Sephora by OPI gelshine produced great results. I got a few compliments from friends who were surprised that it was an at-home manicure and the color lasted for a solid week before I saw any kind of wear (that's, like, three times as long as my typical manicures last!).

In general, doing your own nails is a time-consuming process but it's a major money-saver. Sure, $159 up-front is a pretty large investment but consider how many manicures you'll get from just one nail color! I will definitely get good use out of my Sephora by OPI gelshine kit for months to come.

You can purchase the Sephora by OPI At-Home Gel Colour System for $159 at sephora.com.

The post Be Gel-ish: Sephora by OPI Gelshine At-Home Gel Colour System Review appeared first on Spa Blah Blah.

Drybar founder and longtime professional stylist, Alli Webb spent years developing, refining, testing and tweaking a complete line of styling products to help her and Drybar stylists perfect their craft. The result? Deliciously scented (think vanilla cocktail spiked with hints of citrus), highly effective haircare and styling products that keep your tresses in mint condition and extend the life of your blowout.

Behold, the Drybar product lineup (aka, the “sauce”):

• Happy Hour Shampoo - Blowout Shampoo
• Happy Hour Conditioner - Weightless Conditioner
• Hot Toddy - Heat Protector & Frizz Fighter
• Southern Belle - Volumizing Mousse
• Cream Soda - Smoothing Cream
• The Chaser - Shine Pomade
• 100 Proof - Smoothing Oil
• Money Maker - Flexible hold Hairspray
• Detox - Dry Shampoo

Products start at $20 and are available for purchase at Drybar Scottsdale, Drybar Phoenix, sephora.com and Sephora at Scottsdale Quarter.

BONUS! Mention “AZ Spa Girls” and get free samples when you purchase any Drybar haircare products before June 30, 2013 at either Drybar Arizona location (while supplies last)!

The post Drybar Launches Saucy New Product Line appeared first on Spa Blah Blah.

Tip 1: Opt for multi-tasking products. To get the most out of your beauty bucks, look for products that serve more than one purpose. This saves you money and time! Try:

Sebamed Liquid Face and Body Wash. Dermatologist developed, this paraben-free face and body cleanser is gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin types yet deeply cleans without causing dryness. This all-in-one cleanser is also pH balanced to a precise 5.5, the perfect level for healthy skin. Available at sebamedusa.com and CVS stores nationwide for $12.99.

Aveeno Clear Complexion BB Cream. Possibly the best thing since gluten-free sliced bread, BB creams do the work of a tinted moisturizer and sunscreen. New from AVEENO, Clear Complexion BB Cream, does all that and more by providing lightweight coverage while brightening , moisturizing, nourishing and protecting skin with a broad spectrum SPF 30. The formula is oil-free, hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic and promotes clear skin. Read more about it at aveeno.com or buy it a drugstores nationwide for $14.99 and up.

Maybelline Instant AgeRewind Eraser Dark Spot Concealer + Treatment. Need a concealer that does it all? This little wonder from Maybelline covers imperfections instantly while also working to diminish the appearance of dark spots over time. The secret ingredient, concentrated vitamin C, targets dark spots, acne scars and sunspots. More at maybelline.com. $10.49 at drugstores nationwide.

Tip 2: Do your research and don't always go with the cheapest option. We get it. You want to save money. But sometimes, the cheaper product ends up costing you more because you need to use more of it or it quickly loses its effectiveness. Look for products that have higher quality ingredients and can deliver the benefits you need. Not sure if a product lives up to its claims? Read online reviews. Try:

Supersmile Quikee Instant Whitening Polish. You can chomp on a piece of gum to freshen your breath or you could do double time to whiten teeth and freshen breath with this Icy Mint flavored whitener. Quikee has an ingredient called Calprox that works by gently dissolving the layer of protein that forms on the tooth surface that adheres to bacteria, plaque and stains. For the time it takes to pop a breath mint in your mouth, you can clean and protect teeth between brushings. $18 at supersmilestore.com.

Suki Lip Repair Butter. Not all lip balms are created equal. Rather than waxy balms that do nothing more than coat lips with chemical-based ingredients, Suki Lip Repair Butter contains quality botanicals such as jojoba oil, calendula and chamomile that truly nourish and last. Available at sukiskincare.com and Whole Foods nationwide for $10.95.

Tip 3: Choose products that go the distance. Products that deliver benefits for hours after application are your best bet when you're watching your budget. Look for long-lasting formulas that you don't have to constantly reapply. Try:

Merle Norman Lip Polish. This hydrating gloss has a long-wear formula, so your color has a lot of staying power, limiting how often you need to reapply. It also provides a great punch of color and shine, so you get more with less! Available at Merle Norman Studios nationwide for $15. Visit merlenorman.com for a retail location near you.

Merle Norman Pro Pen Eyeliners. Eyeliners tend to do a disappearing act by midday because of rubbing and watering eyes. Merle Norman’s Pro Pen Eyeliner goes the distance. The water-resistant formula stays in place for 14 hours – no worrying about reapplying or smudging! $14 at Merle Norman Studios nationwide.

L'Oreal Active Daily Moisture Lotion. This daily use lotion provides moisturizing benefits for a full 24 hours! It even has SPF 15 and multi-conditioning agents to keep skin soft and hydrated. Read more about it at lorealparisusa.com or get at drugstores nationwide for $9.49.

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion. Formulated with skin-soothing oatmeal and blended with rich emollients, this dermatologist-recommended formula provides long-lasting moisture for up to 24 hours. In fact, the lotion actually doubles skin moisture and keeps working over time even if you have to skip a day. Now that's going the distance! $10.99 for a 12-ounce bottle Read more about it at aveeno.com or buy it a drugstores nationwide for $10.99 for the 12-ounce bottle.

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Our hats off to the forward-thinking folks at LATHER. It’s like they can read our minds or something.

New on the shelves this month are two products to help you keep your cool: Bamboo Shea Leave-in Conditioner ($18) and Eucalyptus & Clay Soap ($8).

A lightweight, leave-in treatment, the new Bamboo Shea Leave-in Conditioner detangles, locks in moisture and helps protect hair from heat styling damage. As with all LATHER products, the treatment contains a harmonious, paraben-free blend of natural ingredients and essential oils. Sunflower seed oil enhances shine, shea butter hydrates hair and scalp, bamboo extract strengthens strands and a delightful mix of essential oils like tangerine and cedarwood lace tresses with an uplifting aroma.

The 100% all-natural Eucalyptus & Clay Soap helps to detoxify and balance reptilian-prone summer skin without drying it out. Mineral-rich Fuller’s Earth clay draws out oils while organic olive oil cleans and softens. The cherry on top is eucalyptus essential oil, which stimulates circulation and refreshens skin like nobody’s business. And, for every olive oil soap sold, LATHER donates the equivalent of five bars of soap to Clean The World, a non-profit organization that recycles and distributes soap around the world to people in need. Now that's good clean stuff!

Oh and ladies, did you know that you can host free Pamper Parties at our local LATHER Kierland Commons store in Scottsdale? That's right! LATHER offers private in-store parties where you and your girlfriends can sample products, get the inside scoop on how to use them properly, sip on refreshments, and get samples and gifts with purchase. Pretty sweet, huh? Call LATHER Scottsdale at 480.483.6633 for more info.

Get LATHER body, face, hair and home products at the LATHER Kierland Commons store or at lather.com.

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Before you wash out your fabulous “do,” do this first! Spritz on Mane Teeze Hair Perfume!

Mane Teeze by T&M (creators Tara and Melanie) has introduced a new line of deliciously scented hair perfumes that vanquish the ickiest of scents, leaving tresses laced instead with exotic, enchanting aromas.

So why not spritz your hair with your regular fragrance? While the Mane Teeze Hair Perfumes contain a higher concentration of fragrance than your typical perfume, they are formulated to be gentler for use on hair. The long-lasting scents are noticeable for up to 12 hours and can combat all sorts of lingering smells while keeping hair vibrant and not weighed down. Only a couple of sprays provide all-over coverage without leaving a greasy consistency or drying out hair.

The question is, which hair perfume scent is right for you?

• Black Widow: An aroma with a bite, this enchanting scent features undertones of dark amber.
• Haut Mess: Think chocolate and caramel (mmm)! This scent was developed to increase your “haut-ness” factor.
• Social Butterfly: Our favorite of the three, this scent features a delightful punch of vanilla and coconut and reminds us of sipping piña coladas on some exotic beach.

One tip for the testing team: Don't overdo it! The perfume smells so darn good, you'll want to spray it like crazy on everything in sight (yes, we even sprayed it on the spa dogs, who couldn't stop sniffing themselves). A little goes a long way.

Mane Teeze Hair Perfumes are available in a generous 50 mL bottles for $34 each or in a set of three for $99 at maneteeze.com.

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The toning gel contains six ingredients aimed at firming up your belly: caffeine, creatine, oat kernel extract, manilkara tree extract, menthol and botanical extract. FatGirlSixPack is packaged with a built-in applicator used to massage the gel into your core. Caffeine is widely used in firming lotions as it is effective in making skin appear tighter.

According to Bliss, using the gel twice a day for 20 to 30 seconds will result in more sculpted abs (with the help of diet and exercise, of course). I loved the gel’s light minty scent and slight tingling sensation (tingling means it’s working, right?!). The formula also massages in easily and is lightweight but moisturizing.

While this product can’t help you lose weight or get rid of excess stomach fat, it can help with making the stomach area appear smoother and firmer. Of course, the product is best used in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise.

Bliss FatGirlSixPack is available at blissworld.com Sephora for $38.  

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