Pen Pretty

Detox, Losing Weight & Overall Health Rant....

I went to a small sales seminar last night that was selling stuff for detox, weight-loss and just overall health stuff. There were no prices on the items, but I asked a lot of questions, took brochures home and started researching on the Internet about this company's products. I was mostly interested in the Detox product, and was appalled to find out it cost nearly $50 a bottle for the stuff!

Really?

To detox, I thought you just needed some lemon water, raw foods and yoga to really get in there. Sure enough, after consulting my fave site, goop.com, i found a post from 3 doctors that summed it up in a nutshell. the one i liked in particular was Dr. Joshi from England. it sounds rough, but i think anyone can do anything for 3 weeks - especially if the results are this great (clear skin, shiny hair, slimmer waistline? sign me up!)

The point of this blog post? The best things in life are free. And you can't buy health in a bottle. It takes time to undo the damage you have done to yourself. When in doubt, go back to the basics: sunshine, walking, reading, food that doesn't come frozen or in a box, lots of sleep, yoga, sex -you get my point. Oh, and if you go to a sales seminar that boasts epic sales in the same sentence as dramatic weight loss and results, well, you're smart - I think you know better. 

-j

Electrically Charged Beauty - Literally!

There are 2 new beauty innovations available at your local drugstores that literally give your skin a boost. One utilizes Ions, and the other uses naturally-charged Biominerals to tighten up lackluster skin. The Neutrogena one was written up in Lucky mag with a pretty good review,  although they did mention there was a slight sensation when using it which scares me a bit. These are both pricey kits by drugstore standards, but both companies have rebates and coupons that can save you up to $15 if you wanna give it a try. What's weird is there are no tools involved, it's all in the cream! I guess in this day and age, regular 'ol Ponds cream just doesn't cut it anymore for today's beauty junkie! -j

Neutrogena Clinical™ uses a breakthrough two-part system containing essential ion-mineral conductors that, when activated by the companion moisturizer, create a positive electric micro-current—promoting healthy collagen levels and resilient, more youthful looking skin.

AVEENO^® has identified and isolated the revitalizing power of scientifically selected natural minerals to create the first and only anti-aging treatment to use the combined power of ACTIVE NATURALS^® ingredients and biominerals to achieve dramatic results. When the naturally charged biomineral concentrate is combined with the restorative cream, formulated with ACTIVE NATURALS^® blackberry leaf extract and dill, the 2-step treatment system activates to restore essential energy to elastin-deficient skin, making your skin appear younger and visibly vitalized.

Into Natural Beauty? Meet The Bible - And Try A Natural Manicure

 

Last week I mentioned that I needed a "natural" manicure, and that certainly did not mean a manicure without acrylics. A natural manicure means there is no cutting of the skin,  or artificial nails involved. I would say no chemicals, but that's not totally true because you'll still need acetone to remove old polish, and of course, nail polish (which is loaded with all sorts of chemical goodies). My go-to bible for all things natural beauty is  Natural Beauty At Home by Janice Cox. It's loaded with all sorts of recipes for masks, moisturizers, and cleansers made with ingredients found in your kitchen or garden. In this masterpiece you'll find exactly how to do your own natural manicure, no salon required, which I think is so great this day and age when regular mani/pedi's are a luxury not many can afford anymore. And you know what? The natural look for nails is totally in right now - no talons allowed. (Ew, Ew, Ew!) So in a nutshell, here is Janice's strategy altered to my preferences, and my beauty project for the weekend. Enjoy! (P.S. Click the image to buy the book, it's tough to find in stores, so Amazon is your best bet.)  -j

Do once a week, for nails and toes:

1. Remove old polish (Janice uses Acetone but adds Glycerine to it)

2. Soak nails in warm soapy water for 5 minutes. I like to use a fancy bowl with rose petals and a few drops of Jojoba or Argan Oil in it to moisturize. I also sometimes use my Brookstone foot spa when I have time.

3. Apply oil or cream to cuticles and push them back with a cotton-tipped stick. Janice recommends orange sticks and wrap cotton around the tip. DO NOT CUT YOUR CUTICLES. (A friend of mine who is a nail technician at a spa in Carmel also confirms this tip and doesn't do it on her own clients)

4. File nails to shape - I like mine short, rounded, and clean looking

5. Do a mask - There are some great recipes in Janice's book, but I sometimes  use St. Ives scrubs. They have a cool warming one that feels amazing on hands and feet.

6. Massage in cream or oil then wrap in saran wrap or cotton gloves for 30 minutes. I have an at-home paraffin wax warmer at home that also works great. Works faster too. You only need 15 minutes because of the heat from the paraffin wax.

7. Polish nails with a bit of light vegetable or mineral oil for a natural shine. Or, go for nail color, but take it off within a week to let nails breathe a bit. Seriously. Yellow nails are not a good look.

Primers: Yay Or Nay? I'm Not Sold :(

I've never thought that primers work. There, I said it. Most of the ones I have tried - and there were many - just seemed like lighter moisturizers that didn't make my foundation last longer at all. Really? If you ask me, save your money and stick to serums if you are dry, powders if you are oily (hello! people with oily skin already have an extra layer to smooth lines - why add another?). The reason I bring up this topic is because I am always asked the question, "Should I buy a primer?" from busy women who hardly have the time (or money) to add one more step to their already time-consuming regimens. That said, I will say that primers for specific areas DO help, like the ones for eyes and lashes. If you wear eyeshadow everyday or have oily eyelids like me, eyeshadow primers are a lifesaver, like Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion, or Benefit's newest Stay Don't Stray that doubles as a (surprise) concealer! So, unless you are in need of a lightweight moisturizer - save your money for a really good foundation, eye cream, or serum instead. Period.  Just because it's new, doesn't mean it's great. (Sheesh - we're beauty addicts, not suckers!)

-j

NY: Where Beauty Never Sleeps

My former Sephora Beauty Writer colleague, Jenny Muller, moved to New York last Fall and is now writing for Estee Lauder - what could be better than that? So this week we got caught up and I asked her for the latest beauty trends in NY. Get this: 24 hour nail salons. Can you believe it? Can't sleep? Get your acrylic nails done! For a true California girl (who values her sleep for that early morning hike), I can't even imagine. But for gals who live in the city that never sleeps, it's probably totally normal. I have to admit, if I can't sleep, nothing relaxes me more than a good old fashioned Pedi. Hmm. Wonder when this concept will start heading West. Bring it on! -j

Discount Beauty Up To 85% Off? Sign Me Up!

Working in beauty I've learned that makeup and skincare products don't last forever. They do have a shelf life. If products don't sell, they either go on sale, or get sent back to the vendor for credit before the entire batch starts to expire. Where does all that good stuff go? Enter BeautyTicket.com. This ingenious site (started by two execs from the beauty biz) sells all the brand name beauty you love at crazy affordable prices. They've got (just to name a few) Smashbox, Stila, Benefit, Fusion Beauty, YSL, and even my favorite: Stella McCartney's CARE line (I wondered what happened to that brand - her stuff is amazing). Anyway, there is no membership required, just log on and shop. I would sign up for their emails since they have a "Steal Of The Week" which right now is a YSL eyeshadow quad for $16.99, originally $60! They even have Gifts With Purchase, as if the savings you get wasn't enough. Check out all their great deals before you head out to the mall to pay full price!!

-j

Beauty News: H&M Launching New Organic Skincare Line

So exciting. I just learned from Inside Cosmeceutical's website that H&M is launching an ECOCERT approved, organic skincare line in March that uses ingredients like apple juice, sunflower seed oil and apricot seeds. The line will feature a shower gel, body scrub, body lotion, hand cream and lip balm. Read the full article here.

Nail Polishes Part II

Here's the second shade I got in a sweet pink called, "Hopelessly In Love." Perfect for an everyday, clean look. Ugh, I need to do an emergency at-home mani soon! (Stay tuned for directions on how to do that) -j

 

Sent from my iPhone

Taupe Is The New Black

I have been obsessed with finding the right shade of Taupe for my nails and by god, I think I've found it. Called "Over The Taupe" by OPI, it's a gorgeous mink-y brown that is a refreshing change from the goth black that has dominated the nail trends lately. This is the perfect compromise for a lighter version for Spring. My bestie and I got a nail polish overhaul at Planet Beauty where the polishes are buy 3 get 1 free! We got four polishes for $26 - she bought two, and I bought two - we each spent $13 per person. Love it when that happens. Mini-splurges are the best. Kinda reminds me of when she and I were teens with $20 to spend at Long's on all sorts of beauty stuff. We'd buy a major haul for that amount of money. Our money certainly doesn't go that far anymore, but it's fun nevertheless. Buying nail polish with your best girlfriend? Priceless :)

-j

Here is a shameless plug for my best friends uber-famous brother Peanut Butter Wolf (owns the hip hop label Stones Throw Records) being interviewed on Ford Models TV. Thanks for sending, Ames! http://www.fordmodels.tv/