I had oily skin all my life, until this thing called menopause started to wreak havoc not only with my moods (sorry kids) but my skin as well. No longer oily, but lacking in lipids, my extremist behavior has gone to the the opposite extreme of lavishing cream on my skin like mad.

Recently I received a package of goodies from Sibu Beauty, and one little gem enclosed has changed my life.  Okay, I exaggerated.  The Sea Buckthorn Oil has definitely improved the dryness in my skin.  (Imagined and otherwise.)

Here’s the claim for Sibu Beauty Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil:

• Quick acting/readily absorbed
• For all skin-types
• Helps relieve Rosacea, Acne, Eczema
• Helps diminish wrinkles/age-spots
• Use to treat burns/wounds
• Promotes skin recovery and healing
• 100% CERES Organic
• 10 ml bottle w/ dropper tip

What I found:

• Oil absorbed immediately into my skin without a greasy feel
• Improved moisture retention throughout the day
• Helped my skin with dryness I was experiencing due to medication

Right now, Sibu Beauty has a promotion on GNC for a free bottle of Sea Buckthorn See Oil.  Click here to check it out.

Sibu Beauty Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil gets 5 Blings!

I love fall.  Fashion is spanking new and so is makeup. With that being said, there are a gazillion beauty goodies out now that I really, really want.  As a matter of fact, I need them.  It’s hard to nail down, so no doubt there will be an updated lust list next week, but in the meantime, my must-haves for makeup, skin care and hair care are below.

1. Makeup

Everyone knows I’m a NARS freak, and with good reason.  His colors are always on point.  I don’t wear much eyeshadow, but I think I will be rocking this plum, after all it’s the color of the season.

NARS Eyeshadow Daphne $23 Narscosmetics.com

Named after Daphne Guinness, this hypnotizing, deep-violet eyeshadow exudes excitement. Use across lids up to the brow, blending outward.

NARS Single Eyeshadow Daphne

(more…)

Are large pores driving you nuts?  Worse, do you have enlarged pores? I can say yes to both.

First and foremost, pore size is determined by your DNA.  Large pores typically are oily skin types.  So not only do you have to deal with those big ole holes in your skin, but you have to control  the oil that’s oozing out of them.  So what do you do?  Well, I have learned a few tricks over the years to keep my oil under control and do keep my pores clean so that they APPEAR to be smaller.  Then of course, there is the cosmetic side of things.  Makeup that camouflages, even seemingly erases the appearance of large pores.  Proper skin care is also important in insuring that pores are at their minimal best.

So, check out my suggestions for “poreless” skin.

1.  Cleanse

Use the appropriate cleanser for oily skin or ones that formulated for large pores.

(more…)

Lost your glow? Stressed out?  Too much work and not enough sleep? Maybe too much partying and not enough sleep? New baby and not enough sleep?  Or maybe age has crept up on you and robbed you of that youthful glow.

All of the aforementioned can rob us of our natural glow.  Don’t fret — faux glow options are plentiful and can help your fake a beautiful, rested, illuminated, fresh and best you!

Top 10 Glowgetters

(more…)

I’m not one to brag, BUT, I do happen to have beautiful skin. At 53 years of age not a line in sight.  My texture is not so bad and my skin tone is even.  So if you are want gorgeous skin, check out my regimen for beautiful skin.

(more…)

I am blessed to NOT have acne, but my oldest daughter does have a moderate case of acne which seems to be exacerbated by stress (college). Since I’m an esthetician and somewhat fanatical about ingredients, the poor girl is always trying something new.

The most common ingredients in acne products typically address killing the bacteria that causes flare-up — P. acnes.  Those ingredients include salicylic acid, sulfur and benzoyl peroxide.

Benzoyl peroxide is the one ingredient that seems to ALWAYS work for my daughter’s acne flare-ups.  She has used over-the-counter and doctor’s formula s that utilize  salicylic acid in cleansers, toners and treatments.  However, she doesn’t get the same results as she does with benzoyl peroxide.

Most recently I stumbled upon a generic brand of benzoyl peroxide in Walmart called PanOxyl, that has cleared up her skin like nobody’s business.

She has been using the bar, PanOxyl Acne Cleansing Bar 10% Benzoyl Peroxide, $7.99 on her chest and shoulders and PanOxyl Acne Cleansing Wash 10% Benzoyl Peroxide, $10.79 for her face.

(more…)

When you hear the word hybrid, what comes to mind? An energy efficient car? A cross-bred plant? Or maybe some freakish animal?  Well, I’m not referring to any of those (as much as I still want a Prius despite the whole Toyota scandal).  Dr. Murad, the man whose products and educational programs built my skin care business years ago, has introduced Hybrids™.  And he claims that “Hybrids™ Just Got A Whole Lot Sexier.”  Hmmm, is Dr. Murad bring sexy back?

Murad Hybrids™

(more…)

I know it’s Wednesday, but I have been sick for a very long time, and I lost my groove. So I’m playing catch up!
I can’t believe it. I’m buying skincare products at the drugstore. I admit it. Me, the beauty snob, the skincare bootcamp instructor, I’m in love with a moisturizer that costs less than a mani and pedi. I’m talking about Olay Regenerist Microsculpting Cream. Now at 52, I’m more than mildly obsessed with keeping it tight, keeping it firm. My face and neck that is.

(more…)

“What’s in a name?  That which we call a rose; By any other name would smell as sweet.”

William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, Act 2 Scene 2

No other flower throughout history has garnered as much attention as the rose. The rose has been a symbol of love, beauty, war, and politics.  According to fossil evidence, the rose is 35 million years old.  Today, there are over 30,000 varieties of roses and it has the most complicated family tree of any known flower species.

Cultures in each age of world history have adored and highly esteemed the rose.  Greek mythology tells us that Aphrodite gave the rose its name, but it was the goddess of flowers, Chloris, who created it.  According to Hindu legend, Vishnu believed the rose was more beautiful, while Brahma exalted the beauty of the lotus.  Once Brahma beheld a rose, he changed his viewpoint.

(more…)

What’s so bad about being 50? Or, should I say, what’s so bad about being a woman at 50. Well, there’s plenty I could complain about, but I won’t. Instead, think about the beauty of 50. So, I’m bringing 50 back. Sing it in your head. You know the song, that cute little Justin Timerlake, I could probably be his granny, but you know what he said. I’m bringing sexy 50 back. YEA! Those younger chicks don’t know how to act. Yea! Are you down with the song now? So keep that in your head if you are 50 and fierce. 50 and fine. If you are a 50 phenom I’m talking to you. If you are an aspiring 50 phenom I’m talking to  you.

I’m fighting aging like the plague.  So my advice is to all my 50 something sisters is – keep your chin up. I mean it. Don’t give into that jiggly, saggy turkey neck. Gross! Just don’t go out like that.

(more…)