February 4, 2010
Posted by copley
It’s the thought that counts, or so they say. Hallmark wants you to believe that a card will keep your Valentine happy. Godiva probably couldn’t make it through the year without February 14th. But cards, candy, and flowers are so played out. This Valentine’s Day, think outside the heart-shaped box and surprise your loved one with something he or she can really use. We’ll make that easier for you with our picks for the Five Best gifts to spoil your sweetheart and show your creative side.
Ranging in price from $8 to $48, these gifts don’t require a huge commitment, but still send the message that your heart is committed. There are items that you can use together, such as massage oil or fizzy bath tablets. There are tools and treatments for staying soft and well-moisturized. And there is a brand-new hair care gadget by our favorite celebrity hairstylist. Each gift is equally useful for a male or female recipient. If you want to prove that you are truly an expert on pampering, also check our gift guide for the Five Best beauty products worth the splurge. Read more...
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January 17, 2010
Posted by Sarah
In the quest to fend off the signs of aging, many men and women find that healthy living and anti-wrinkle lotions and potions fail to deliver the youthful looks they desire. As reported by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the total number of plastic surgery procedures performed in the US increased 3% in 2008, with the number of Botox and Hyaluronic filler injections increasing 8% and 6%, respectively.
While nips and tucks are nothing new in the anti-aging community, there’s a new contender in town that offers up something previously unavailable – permanent silicone lip implants. SurgiSil, a medical device company from Texas, offers a permanent facial implant marketed in the United Kingdom as PermaLip. PermalLip has recently gained attention in the United States since being featured on The Doctors, a popular daytime television program. Read more...
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December 30, 2009
Posted by marta
For the past few weeks I have been putting the Nu Skin Galvanic Spa, a handheld device that emits a direct electronic current that is supposed to firm the skin, clear up breakouts and fade wrinkles, through its paces. I have tested it on different zones of my face, my body and it has got up close and personal with another home light treatment, Baby Quasar. In some ways the Galvanic Spa has left me impressed. Yet, I do have some reservations. Of which more later.
First, I need to point out that the Galvanic Spa is meant to be used in conjunction with potions and lotions. Based on the theory that light charges repel, the galvanic negative currents encourage the absorption of charged ingredients. The treatment starts with a cleanser and then gels are smeared over the area to be treated. To give Nu Skin a thorough trial, I used it with the gels and without, and with potions by other companies. Read more...
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December 20, 2009
Posted by marta
Clarisonic, makers of the eponymous brush, has come up with a new device that will launch in January called the Opal Sonic Infusion System ($245). Unlike, the bush, which cleanses the skin and removes dead skin cells, Clarisonic’s Opal Sonic Infusion System uses sound waves to help topical products penetrate the epidermis.
Much as Clarisonic has impressed me with my beloved brush, the Opal raises a few questions. How do sound waves help a substance penetrate the skin? And, assuming it does work, will it help penetrate the good along with the bad?
Clarisonic will be selling an anti-aging serum along with the Opal. I don’t much about what’s in it accept the actives. These include kigelia africana, which is in Pevonia’s bust-firming serum. With its gorgeous bat-pollinated flowers and bizarre monster sausage-like fruit, it is an antibacterial, a “significant” (in the words of one study) anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. The leaves and flowers are rich in hexadecanoic acid, a fatty acid, and the other important component is verminoside. There are also steroids that explain why the plant has traditionally been used to treat eczema. Read more...
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December 15, 2009
Posted by marta
Every once in a while, I have an eczema eruption on my hands. I can usually treat it by paring back my beauty products to the tried and trusted for a few days and dabbing on some Exederm. The eczema flare up that started about ten days ago refused to respond. Every couple of days it would abate and then come back worse than ever. By the weekend, I was in despair until I had one of those random thoughts: Baby Quasar.
The Baby Quasar is an at-home LED device that is mostly used for improving skin texture and encouraging collagen production. Lately, it has been doing a great job on my labial nasal lines. LED machines, at least the salon versions, are also very good at clearing acne and rebuilding acne scars. I was really putting two and two together to make five by thinking that Baby Q might help with eczema, but I was willing to try anything by then. Read more...
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