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Review: Laura Geller Face, Lip & Eye Spackle

I've seen the Laura Geller shopping channel spots several times but I've never bit until recently. I was particulary interested in Laura Geller baked eye shadows so on my next trip to Sephora I spent some time investigating these.

Truly I found them to be overly sparkly. I'm not clubbin', Laura, so they won't work for me. I was disappointed because they looked so beautiful in their swirly artistry but I ultimately decided no. However, I did pick up a "sampler" kit of her spackle for face, lips and eyes. Here's my reveiew on these interesting items:

The Laura Geller face spackle is light in texture (perhaps too light) and the "tan" bronzer spackle really gave no discernible color--even to my fairly pale complexion. I've used the Smashbox primer a few times and it seems heavier than Laura's, but a bit useless in my opinion. I didn't get either of them--what exactly were they supposed to spackle? I don't have deep creases, but I do have a few nooks and crannies I'd like to camouflage and they didn't seem to do the trick. (I prefer Perricone Ceramic Skin Smoother--pricey, but it works! Also, good ole Oil of Olay wrinkle filler (in the silver tube) works great, too (especially where you need extra help). go for Perricone or Oil of Olay if you need a little extra help, otherwise Laura's beats Smashbox (in my opinion).

The Laura Geller Lip Spackle is good stuff. I like that it totally gives your lips a neutral tone and even sort of seals them so they are smoother before applying lipstick. This product is pretty good for me, but I'd like it to be more moisturizing (maybe even a touch of mint would be nice, too). It did seem to last pretty long.

The real winner in the pack is the Laura Geller Eye Spackle. I happen to be a committed user of the Paula Dorf eye primer (great stuff and I've had my same pot of it forever!). However, I liked the sheerer texture of the Laura's. Paula's is thick and needs a lot of blending, but it does give you a super smooth eye canvas. Laura's is like a Dorf-light version and I really like it for everyday use (save Dorf for the big nights when you really "do your makeup"). I may actually buy the full-sized pot of this one.

Hope that helps! Stay gorgeous...

Pycnogenol: Cellulite Buster?

I decided to take some high-level anti-oxidants and bought some Pycnogenol (Pine Bank extract).

I took it (when I remembered) and suddenly I noticed that my lumpy bumpy spots seemed to start smoothing out. I wasn't really working out harder or doing anything else so I wondered why it was happening. I pinpointed it to the only change I had made: taking the Pycnogenol.

I'm wondering if anyone else has had similar experiences? And what about the Celluscience "miracle pills" that are being marketed? I'm wondering if those testimonials on their website are really true? I wonder how those work and if they contain Pycnogenol? I cannot find anything about this ingredient on their site so if anyone knows, I'd love to have the info!

More Beauty Buzz...

Review: Pureology Hydrate vs. Aveda Dry Hair Remedy

Which works better? Read at: www.agelessbeautypro.com

Instant Facelifter: Is a Facelift in a Bottle Really Possible?

FACELIFTER

There are numerous products these days claiming to give you a facelift in a bottle, but if you've plunked down your hard earned money, you've probably found that most don't really work. Nothing but an invasive surgical treatment is going to really give you a true facelift.

However, as the science of beauty progresses, there are numerous new products that really will help noticeably firm and tone the skin. They are usually short-lived or temporary results, but then sometimes that's all you need. If you're not able or willing to spend thousands and have a true surgical procedure, it may be enough for you to get results that hang out for a few hours, days or months before diminishing.

Facelifter is one of those products that will produce actual noticeable results--albeit short-lived. It's a 30-minute at-home procedure that will help to temporarily firm and tone your skin and give it a glow. The results don't stay long (maybe about a day or two), but if used consistently they can be maximized.

What it is: It's a goopy, sticky masque that actually, as it dries, provides an immense tightening effect and helps (it claims) to work the underlying muscles of your skin. When you use it properly, you can really see a change in your face (tighter, lifted lids, firmer jowls and cheeks, less laxity and a nice, smooth glow to your skin.

It's applied on a wet face in a particular way. Then you need to lie down or even invert your head (like lay with your head slightly backward off the side of the bed). It takes about 30 minutes to get a full effect; cutting it short usually cuts short the results. It dries extremely tight (really, you'll look like a creature from a horror film when it's fully dry). It's then removed and voila! You should see some immediate results your first time. It's enough to make people think you look well-rested or maybe like you got a facial or something--not drastic, but good enough to give you a boost in your step.

It's a good option before a big night out, reunion, job interview, hot date, etc. when you really want to take the time to look your best. If you'd like to know more or get a bottle, or see before/after shots, visit: Ageless Beauty in 30 Minutes

Smartxide Dot Therapy Laser Treatment

OK, it's official, I'm middle-aged (ick, don't you just hate that term?) Anyway, I'm pretty good about taking care of my skin and I was blessed with finely pored, even-textured fair skin. With that said, I am definitely seeing the signs of age creep upon me: fine lines, skin laxity, droopy lids, brown spots, etc. Let's face it, it pretty much happens to us all.

I've have Thermage (don't bother), Accent (short-lived results), microdermabrasion (OK, but I can get the same results or better with a chemical peel at home), glycolic peels (my favorite way to smooth, brighten and perk up my skin), Botox (yes, I tried it and like it in very small doses), Restyline (pretty good, sturdy line filler, some pros and cons). Anyway, you get the idea; I'm not obsessed by I try to stay on top of things.

Well, I recently moved to Phoenix and felt I was needing some help. I found a local Dr., made an appointment and thought I'd get some filler, maybe some Renova, and be on my way. Well, he sat and listened to me and told me straight out that filler was not what I needed. He was doing a new treatment and it was getting great result: the SMARTXIDE DOT THERAPY. I'd never heard of it, but soon became a full-fledged fan.

I saw his before and afters, even results on his staff in the office (real people, not some over-the-top promises the corporate company releases), and I was sold. So I paid my money, had the treatment and here's what I found:

The laser itself shoots little dots onto your face. It acts basically what used to be a very intense laser resurfacing treatment like FRAXEL or CO2 lasers. This treatment works much the same way, but in a slightly more gentle (meaning much less recovery time) way. It's not painful, but it sure smarts in areas. It essentially "burns" the tops layer of skin off your face. Not a pretty thought, but over a few days (it took me about 5), you skin gently sloughs off and the skin below is revealed.

You actually leave the office with your face plastered in heavy lotion and little dots all over your skin. Over the next several days I had to frequently re-apply the cream (like a Vaseline consistency--real pretty) and stay indoors. Also, I needed to not only avoid the sun, but bright light of any type or low-hanging (like pendant lights). I could actually get a "sunburn" just from bright light inside the house!

I followed direction religiously and after my total recovery (a couple weeks later), I had another appointment. This time I got to see my before and after shots and wow! what a difference. This treatment--and this is my FAVORITE part--actually helps firm up the skin and boost collagen production and I could really see it in the pics. My puffy, droopy eyes were firmer and brighter, my cheeks/jowls were defined and I couldn't believe it, but I actually had a little bit of a turky wobble starting under my chin and this totally zapped that!

Bottom line, I cannot say it's right for everyone, but it worked for me and I would very likely do it again. It's pricey (I paid $2,000), slightly painful, takes several days to really recover (about 5-7), but I feel it was well worth it. Especially since all the Thermage and Accent in the world never seemed to even come close to these results.

P.S. If you live in the Phoenix area and want to know my Dr., just jet me an email!
Visit: www.agelessbeautypro.com

Review: WEN Haircare

WEN Haircare is one of the latest late night infomercials to pop up. It's creator, Chaz Dean, who is a"stylist to the stars" appears with various celebs who supposedly use this unique product.

What it is: A somewhat creamy hair conditioner AND cleanser. This is a two in one product that cleanses your hair and also conditions it. It claims to have restorative properties and not strip your hair (great for those who color). You're supposed to use several (like 14 or 16 pumps of it per use), massage it in, leave it during your shower and then rinse. The voila! Shiny, bouncy, conditioned hair like never before, right?

Well, not so fast. I have curly, fine hair. It's generally not limp and I have a fair amount so it doesn't look superfine. I color and heat style so I definitely need condition and softness, but not frizz. This product seemed to work pretty well--at first. Then after about a month or so of use (every other day), I felt I really needed to SHAMPOO. It's not that my hair felt dirty, on the contrary, it felt clean, but it seemed dry and lifeless. It was like straw on the ends. I wondered how that could happen when you're essentially just using a straight conditioner and no shampoo. I found I really needed to shampoo some day, but use WEN when I felt I only needed a light cleansing.

A couple positives: It smells great. I like the Almond Mint and Cucumber Aloe. I also used the Lavender, which was OK, but not my favorite. It does work well as a leave-in conditioner on your ends when you feel you just need a little extra softness there. My favorite use for this product is suggested by Mr. Dean himself in the literature that came with my order: Fill a spray bottle 3/4 full with warm water, add several squirts of WEN, shake and use as a refreshener or touch up spray. I use it this way lots of times but whose to say another light conditioner formula wouldn't work just as well. (Yeah, this stuff is pricey, too.)

Bottom line, it's fun to try, but if you have favorite products right now, I wouldn't jump ship to WEN. It's pricey, mail-order only and doesn't (at least for me) work quite as well as I'd hope. Not a bad product by any means, but not the savior for limp, dry, hair so many of us seek.
Visit: www.agelessbeautypro.com