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“Skin Care and Beauty” Photo Contest 8 Dec 2010 10:44 AM (14 years ago)

Celebrity Beauty: Leona Lewis' makeup in "Bleeding Love" 8 Dec 2010 10:43 AM (14 years ago)

I would be really surprised if you have not heard yet of Leona Lewis. She is amazingly talented and her powerful voice is spellbinding. Leona was discovered due to the British reality talent show The X Factor (similar to American Idol) which she successfully won.

Her current hit "Bleeding Love" has been leading the charts and is so often shown on MTV - I think I know it by heart. Having watched it so often I've had a chance to admire her amazing look in this video over and over again. She is beautiful – no question about that. But her makeup is just magical. Whenever I would see the video, I would think to myself: whoever created this makeup is a genius. So, finally, I decided to find out who is responsible.

Leona’s makeup artist is Jane Bradley. According to Jane’s blog, she first did Leona’s makeup in September/October 2007 and has been “almost permanently attached to Leona” since. Currently, Jane does Leona's makeup for all the numerous events she attends daily (and Leona has a lot as she is promoting her debut album and is taking the entertainment industry by storm). Jane also flew to LA to do Leona’s makeup in the "Bleeding Love" video.

Leona’s look in "Bleeding Love" has made some noise among beauty addicts worldwide and, of course, among beauty bloggers. There have also been a couple videos on YouTube in which people attempted to recreate her makeup in that video. Not only the makeup is gorgeous, but also the dress she is wearing is breathtaking. Just in case you were wondering, it is a Dolce and Gabbana creation worth £100.000=$200.000.
This crystal-encrusted forty pound dress is from Dolce and Gabbana collection Fall 2007.

Going back to Leona’s makeup in "Bleeding Love"… I decided not to post the YouTube videos here as, to my big regret, each of them has some kind of a presentation flaw – like a noisy cartoon in the background for example. I am not the one to give directions on creating a smoky eye as I am just trying to master it myself. I also tend to wear more subtle makeup so this look is new for me. However, I thought it would be fun to look into the details of this amazing makeup by Jane Bradley. So I took a closer look at Leona’s makeup and did a couple screen shots.


As you can see from the photos above – it is a dramatic smoky eye done in very dark (almost black) green shades. Dark green eye shadow, the base of Leona’s smoky eye, is applied with a bit of a tick on the outer eye corners. Light silver shadow goes right under the eyebrow to lift it up. I think there is also a golden highlight in the center of an upper eyelid. Finishing touches include fake eye lashes and a black eyeliner applied along the upper eye lashes.

I decided to give this smoldering eye a try myself. It was a very quick experiment and I am not claiming that I did recreate Leona’s look.
I used:
L’Oreal eye shadow in black: 163 Smoke;

Essence’s shadow in sparkling green: Jungle Queen 22,




Lancome’s silver eye shadow in 316 Pierre de Lune,




Chanel’s Liquid Eyeliner in black,




Estee Lauder’s Magna Scopic Mascara.





I did not have an eye shadow in the exact dark green but it appeared to be no problem at all.
Here is what I did:

applied L’Oreal shadow in black, then over it a shadow in sparkling green to achieve the extremely dark green shade. I liked the final color and how you can control the intensity of green and black shades by layering and blending. It took me some courage to really go faaaar beyond my outer eye corner. Not sure I achieved that upward tick – need some training here. To blend the eyeshadow well and to create a smoky transition I used a brush and my finger (which is always a reliable tool).

applied some shadow along the lower eye line and made sure there was a nice transition between the upper and the lower eye lids(along the outer corner).

applied a metallic-silver shadow under the eyebrow. Silver should be quite subtle not to stand out.

achieved a bit of a more highlight with a tiny touch of white shadow right under the eyebrow in the outer corner.

finished up with an eyeliner along the upper eye lid.

curled eyelashes and applied mascara.

did eye brows. This look needs prominent eye brows to be balanced. Since my usual eyebrow corrector allows just a touch of colour, here I had to use an eye pencil in dark brown.

Beauty Review: Perfume Sample Set 8 Dec 2010 10:41 AM (14 years ago)

I received a wonderful St.Valentine's present from my husband today: perfume sample set. The gift was accompanied by a comment: "what a smart marketing strategy, don't
you think?!" What got my business-minded husband so excited, is the whole idea coming with the set. It includes a certificate for a free perfume. So you can try out 10 fragrances and then use the certificate to get the one you like.
The package and presentation are very nice: box looks like it is lined with velvet, a book with description and ad photos is included, and your certificate has a conveninet table where you can rate perfumes on the scale of 1 to 5.


The 10 perfumes are

Boss Femme by Boss

Rose Essentielle by Bvlgari

Liberte by Cacharel

Armani Code by Giorgio Armani

L'Instant Magic by Guerlain

L'eau D'Issey by Issey Miyake

FlowerByKenzo by Kenzo

Hypnose by Lancome

For Her by Narciso Rodriguez

Alien by Thierry Mugler

I like perfumes with notes of freshness, perhaps just a touch of bitterness, not too sweet but a hint of sweetness is nice, fruity is nice too... However, when I feel I want a change a new experience, I would wear something completely different: like intense bitter-sweet. Some of the perfumes in the set I tried as samples before. For example, Hypnose by Lancome and L'Instant Magic by Guerlain. Both beautiful perfumes and are more of an evening-out variants.

Now I need to decide if I want a more subtle perfume for every day and occasion or a more intense evening varinat.

What I know for sure it will be fun to try these fragrances out (and review them as well)! The final decision will be tough!

Sisleya Eye and Lip Contour Cream 8 Dec 2010 10:39 AM (14 years ago)

Product Tag Line:
To restore a fresh, youthful look to eyes and lips

Product Profile in short:
(as described on Sisley Website)

helps counter the formation of visible lines and wrinkles

minimizes the appearance of under-eye puffiness, dark circles and signs of fatigue

formulated with a particularly high concentration of active ingredients

Promise:

After a few weeks' daily use, skin appears more supple, more radiant and better-toned, with an average reduction in wrinkles of approximately 23%.

What’s Inside:

Padina Pavonica algae extract
Natural plant extracts: Matricaria, Licorice, Wheat proteins
Vitamins (E, B5 and F)

Close-up: How active are the active ingredients?
Water
Butyrospermum Park II (Shea Butter) – occlusive
Glycerin – humectant, attracts moisture to your skin
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Flower Extract – is believed to stimulate elimination of old cells and growth of new ones
Rosa Centifolia (Cabbage Rose) Water - anti-oxidant, toning, revitalizing
Glyceryl Stearate – emulsifier, solvent, humectant
Isopropyl Palmitate - thickening agent and emollient
Sorbitol – humectant, thickener
Algae Extract-Paraffin - a potent moisturizer
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate - Emollient
Oleyl Alcohol - emollient (skin softener), emulsifier, and thickener
Cetyl Phosphate - emulsifying agent
Propylene Glycol - emollient, hydrating agent
Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Extract - Anti-inflammatory and a whitening agent
Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Protein – attracts and retains moisture
...
Further: Sesame seed oil, Carrot Root Extract, Matricaroia Extract

Experience:

Texture: creamy and thick
Absorption: due to shea butter it felt very occlusive
Smell: non-perfumed, extremely subtle and naturally herbal

I was trying a deluxe sample which lasted for 2 weeks. It’s a nice product: kept the eye area nicely moisturized and allowed smooth makeup application (no clumping of eyeshadows as it at times happens with some eye creams). However, I was expecting much more from this product after experiencing the amazing effects of Sisleya Radiance Anti-Aging Concentrate. I would also expect much more impressing effect taking into account quite amazing active ingredients list. It was just ok. I have some slight lines, not yet wrinkles, but I did not see much change in those after the 2-week regular twice a day application. It did have an effect on dark circles, but I cannot comment on puffiness as I don’t usually have this problem.

Price Time: about 150$

Beauty Fact: Sebum Contains Squalene and Vitamin E 8 Dec 2010 10:35 AM (14 years ago)

Did you know that sebum contains such potent anti-oxidants as Vitamin E and Squalene?

It is already a known fact that Squalene IS (the one used in cosmetics as a natural moisturizer) a major component of sebum. However Vitamin E presence in sebum is still being researched. Several experimental studies show that sebaceous glands and sebum serve as a transport mechanism taking “the lipophilic antioxidant vitamin E from the blood to the skin surface.” In human skin, the highest level of vitamin E is found in sebum. So it appears that sebum is not only beneficial for the skin due to its coating effect, but it also acts as a natural anti-oxidant substance.
That is why people with oily skin stay looking younger longer. Just look at Posh!

PS: Gals with oily skin stops using harsh cleansers now, do not strip your skin of the vital anti-aginers!

Beauty Talk: Age Factors 8 Dec 2010 10:33 AM (14 years ago)

Why some people develop certain signs of aging sooner than others? Why some people at the age of 30 are still asked for an ID and others stop caring an ID with them from the age of 16? Why Britney at 26 looks older than Kate Moss at age 34?


There are several major factors that influence how fast we age, as well as how “gracefully” we age. Some of these factors are beyond our powers to do anything about, while others we can influence to stay younger looking longer. So let’s look at them a bit closer:

1. Genes
Gene’s influence on our aging speed and the way we age accounts for 20-40% . For example, it mostly depends on your genes, when or whether you will develop a nasolabial fold. However, research shows that external aging factors still make a much bigger difference. How would they explain Kate Moss phenomenon???

2. Skin Type
Moisture is essential for skin’s optimum functioning. Oily skin has a coating of sebum that prevents it from loosing moisture and, to a certain extent, protects it from the aggressive environment. In fact, sebum is rich in Vitamin E which is a potent anti-oxidant!

3. Race, Culture and Geography
You must have noticed that black and Asian skin generally look younger. Some researchers think it is due to the fact that darker skin has more natural pigment that reflects light and protects skin from sun damage. Culture is also a major aging factor. For example, Italians and Spaniards love to sunbathe and spend a lot of time in the sun. That is why they develop signs of aging earlier than some other nations.

Also if you happen to be fair skinned living in sunny Italy or Greece, you will get as much sun as the native population without having their levels of natural melanin. As a result - you get more sun damage.

4. Bone Structure
Have you noticed that people with high pronounced cheek-bones tend to look younger. I guess it is just a visual effect?!

5. Diet
Healthy diet rich in vitamins, minerals, good fats is a big part of anti-aging strategy. What about calories? Do they make any difference to our aging speed? Here experts seem to disagree. According to numerous studies, low calorie diet helps to stay young longer. However, with age we naturally loose fat tissue supporting the skin and as a result skin starts to sag. That is why extreme no-fat diet results in more sagging and wrinkles. Find the golden middle!

6. Lifestyle
Either it is a stressful job, long nights, smoking, intense partying or alcohol – all of these lifestyle factors add up to your aging speed.

Here you have it! It looks like we can actually influence 50% of these aging factors. Though nowadays, thanks to plastic surgery, changing your bone structure is a possibility as well.

Sources: This post was inspired by and article in Cosmopolitan, Uk Feb.'08 "The Age Factor". I also use some other resources including Aging Research, Factors Affecting Your Skin
Other articles and resources related to aging and anti-aging:

Sisley Confort Exteme Body Cream For Very Dry Areas 8 Dec 2010 10:30 AM (14 years ago)

Product Tag Line:

A creamy formula, a rehydrating and repairing body balm for dry skin.

Product Profile in short:
(as described on Sisley Website)
• helps the skin to regain suppleness and softness
• offers immediate relief and comfort

Promise:
intense, long-lasting nourishment

What’s Inside:
• Shea Butter and Kokum Butter for instant soothing and repairing skin.
• Harpagophytum extract brings a sense of relief when the cream is massaged onto the skin.
• Chestnut extract helps strengthen the skin's barrier function

Close-up on Active Ingredients:
Water
Brassica Campestris Seed Oil- Grape seed oil
Cetearyl Alcohol – used as emulsion stabilizer, emollient, thickening agent and carrying agent for other ingredients
Glycerin – humectant, attracts moisture to the skin
Butylene Glycol - another humectant
Castanea Sativa Seed Extract - Chestnut Seed Extract contains esculin, an antioxidant compound. In addition to this Chestnut Seed Extract is mentioned in many sources as having potent anti-inflammatory characteristics.
Mineral Oil - occlusive, keeps moisture locked in skin
Isopropy Palmitate – thickening agent and emollient, facilitates water retention in the skin, lubricates, softens.
Dimethicone – occlusive
Garcinia Indica Seed Butter - Kokum Butter - softens skin, restores elasticity, helps to regenerate skin cells and promotes skin’s healing
Butyrospermum Parkii- Shea Butter - emollient
Hydroxystearic/ Linoleic/Oleic Polyglycerides – natural emulsifier
Squalane - natural organic compound used in cosmetics as a natural moisturizer (mostly comes from shark liver oil)
Cetyl Palmitate- emulsifying agent
…
Mallow Extract, Panthenol (humectant, emollient and moisturizer, soothes and treats irritation), Lavender Oil (balances skin, stimulates cellular growth), Thymus Mastychina Herb Oil, … Sage Oil… Glycine Soya Oil

As always in Sisley products, a couple parabens at the end are used as preservatives.

Experience
Texture: Very rich, creamy
Absorption: For such a rich cream is great (or is my skin too thirsty?)
Smell: Nice light herbal smell with just a touch of bitterness. This is the type of a product that you like to smell before application.

I loved this product! I applied it to dry areas including knees/elbows, lower legs (from the knees down) and used it as a night time hand cream. The mentioned promise that it is comforting is not just a promise really - the sensation is amazing.

Upon application, you get a strange pleasant feeling as if your skin just relaxes and goes into nirvana (I can almost hear it sighing with a relief :-)). I guess it is the action of the above mentioned Harpagophytum extract - also known Devil’s Claw and used as anti-inflammatory and pain-reliever.

This cream leaves skin soft and hydrated. So as a conclusion, I would just say – it is another luxury wonderful product from Sisley.

Price Tag:
Ranges between $ 90 to $ 120

Beauty Trends: Makeup Trends Spring 2008 - Eyes 8 Dec 2010 10:28 AM (14 years ago)

All the recent beauty magazines are reporting what makeup trends are in for spring/summer 2008. On some looks they definitely agree, and on some they don’t. So I decided to take a closer look myself. In this post, I am looking at eye makeup trends. It seems that everyone agrees on white-silver-grey trend for this spring as well as shimmer golden colors. Other spring/summer looks seem to be inspired by either by classical spring colors (pastel green, blue, pink, violet) or an exotic garden/flower (bright yellow, orange, lime green and coral) as well as colours of the sea (various shades of blue, turquoise)

GOLDEN EYE SHADOWS - a Golden Goddess

Golden shimmer eye shadows have been featured in many-many shows (Zac
Posen, Versace, Bottega Veneta, YSL etc.).
Two looks stand out:
*using just one color golden (Bottega Veneta) or
*creating a glamorous smoky eye in golden-bronze shades (Versace).
I really lke the latter which looks glamorous and is ideal for an evening out!

Dsquared took “golden look” to another level and did a dramatic glamorous golden-black eye. I find this one absolutely beautiful and sexy but would never ever try it out or even dare to pull it off (well, at least not this season). Similar but less intense and less golden is Gucci’s makeup for spring 2008. This looks doable!

WHITE-SILVER-GREY EYE SHADOWS - an Ice Queen

I have no idea why icy eyes became a trend for spring/summer 2008. I personally am tired of the cold winter and am ready for the warm sun that will melt away any trace of cold! However I do find this look nice and easy to do. Once again, there are two looks in white and silver:
*first, more natural one-color for a day
and
*second, more intense (Chanel) or a smoky eye in silver-grey (Georgio Armani) for the nigh.
I especially like the smoky variant by Georgio Armany. Am not so fond of Chanel’s grey variant…

SPRING AND EXOTIC COLORS – a Spring Fairy or an Exotic Bird


Light pinks and violets, blue and various pastels make a great classic spring look for 2008. Note, blue eyeliner is a hot trend this season as seen at Narciso Rodrigues, Blugirl and Diane von Furstenberg.

An unexpected combination of two colours like blue and yellow-green (Karl Lagerfeld) or green and bright coral (Ashley Isham) creates an association with an exotic flower or an exotic bird.

SHIMMER AND GLITTER - a Sparkling Star


Metalic eyeshadows, shimmer and glitter are also (unseasonally) popular this spring/summer 2008. Colours: silver, violet, purple, golden, pink, green.

Beauty Trends: Makeup Trends Spring 2008 - Lips 8 Dec 2010 10:26 AM (14 years ago)

In terms of color, there are two definite trends for lips this spring/summer: subtle pink and bold red.

As far as the texture goes, the trend is towards matte. As I read in Elle UK March 2008, there is an opinion that matte lips “look modern”.

THINK PINK

Pink shades are mostly very subtle and range from very natural sheer glossy pink that is hardly there to a richer (but not too bright) pink shade.

There is also an interesting look of porcelain pink lips which at times, look almost white.

BOLD REDS

This spring/summer you can feel free to experiment with different shades of red.
Various reds have been favored by makeup artists for spring/summer 2008:
* Warm reds as seen at Elie Saab
* Pillar box red as seen at Daks
* Orange red as seen at Bottega Veneta
* Neon red as seen at Temperley


*Special attention shoul be given to wine reds (see above) of matte and glossy textures as seen at Dolce & Gabbana and House of Holand

BLINDING NEON

Another trend that stood out was neon red or neon orange-red lips and even neon pink as seen at Louis Vuiton.

Makeup artists recommend this spring not to do nude lips but to make a bold statement with your lip color… unless you go with the pink trend, of course.

Beauty Trend: Makeup Trends Spring-Summer 2008 - Skin 8 Dec 2010 10:25 AM (14 years ago)

Very Natural and Matte
The trend for skin this season is a matte natural look, very often without any blush. So just stock up on blotting paper and matte powder for this season.

Pink Blulsh

If you like to use a blush, pink color is the trend for this season as seen at Valentino, Giles and Issey Miyake. I liked a tip I read at Elle UK March 2008: “For a flush of colour, mix a cream blusher with moisturizer and blend in the middle of the cheeks” – makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury.

Glowing Skin

While matte natural looking skin is in, there still were a lot of glowing skin looks at spring-summer shows. To create a sheen highlighter is applied to temples, nose and cheekbones as seen at Zac Posen, Georgio Armani, Mathew Williamson and other shows.

Beauty Trends: Spring-Summer 2008 Look with New Spring Makeup Collections 8 Dec 2010 10:24 AM (14 years ago)

There are several new and exciting makeup collections for spring-summer 2008 that you can use to get beautiful spring-summer looks.

Get the Look Inspired by Makeup at Dries Van Noten, Michael Kors, and Karl Lagerfeld Spring 2008 Shows: Spring and Exotic Colors

Clarins launched spring-summer collection 2008 called FIZZ. As I understand from the video on Clarins site (and the name), the inspiration for Clarins spring 2008 look came from soap bubbles :-) … you know, all the various colors you see reflected in a bubble… To me, however, colors of Clarins spring collection give an association with a yummy exotic fruit. Think… papayas, pine apples, melons and figs.
Clarins Spring 2008 eye shadows come in mono-packaging and include: Sunny Yellow, Sweet Melon, Gold Leaf, and Sweet Lilac. Actually only 2 colors appear to be new Sweet Lilac and Sunny Yellow. Just as Clarins promises, the shadows are ultra-smooth and blend beautifully.
Two new lip glosses that come in Clarins’ spring 2008 collection are Lilac and Toffee.
New Eyeliner: liquid eyeliner in Chocolate Brown
New Eye Pencil: Copper


With Clarins’ new makeup collection you can do looks inspired by Dries Van Noten, Michael Kors, and Karl Lagerfeld (in the latter case, colors will be completely different though, but the idea/style remains the same).
Clarins makeup seems to be a good fit to do Michael Kors look for spring 2008 (see the photo): Sweet Melon goes under an eye brow and Sweet Lilac- in the middle of an eyelid. The only thing missing is a blue eyeliner.

Tip: you can achieve tones of various intensity by layering Sunny Yellow, Sweet Melon, Gold Leaf. For example, for a more intense golden shade try layering Sunny Yellow and Golden Leaf!

Get the Look Inspired by Makeup Seen at Sonya Rykiel, YSL, Karl Lagerfeld Spring 2008 Shows: Add Some Glitter and Sparkle

The texture of Clarins eyeshadows is matte, so if you want to have a bit more metallic texture and some glitter, like makeup at Karl Lagerfeld’s and Sonya Rykiel’s shows, go for the gorgeous Shiseido’s spring-summer 2008 collection. I tried it out – it has wonderful sparkle! Not so intense as at Sonya Rykiel’s though.

Shiseido’s new collection colors are, in my opinion, beautiful. But again, just like Clarins’, Shiseido’s eye shadows come in mono-packaging.

Eye shadows have a moussey texture and come in the following colors: Languid Lagoon, Rose Tulle, Lemon Sugar, Clover Dew.

Four new Shiseido lipsticks are all in warm shades, shimmery, and not bright. Even though shimmering lips don’t seem to be extremely popular this season, colors are gorgeous and just classical: Cheerful Pink, Spring Violet, Pale Coral, Summer Sunset.
Another new Shiseido spring product is tinted powder Multi-Shade Enhancer:
*Terracota Glow for a bronzed skin look with golden shades for a golden glow.
*Sunset Glow for a warm summer pink tone.
With Shiseido collection, you can do a Karl Lagerfeld inspired look. For example,
try Languid Lagoon on the upper lid and Clover Dew or Rose Tulle on the lower. Also just a single color will look great. Single color eye is a hot trend this spring-summer.

Beauty Trends: Makeup in Pink Spring-Summer 2008 8 Dec 2010 10:22 AM (14 years ago)

There is quite a choice of spring 2008 makeup collections to do a look in pink.
New collections from Dior, Bobbi Brown, and Guerlain have great products for pink cheeks, pink lips and pink eyelids.

DIOR Spring-Summer 2008


Dior’s two new looks for Spring 2008 are in pastel pink/violet flower tones and are called “Bloom in Dior”.

Dior Spring 2008 Must-Have: Limited Edition Dior Flower Blossom-Floral Illuminating Powders for face. The powder contains five shades and can be used as a corrector/illuminator for complexion, blush and eye shadows.

Other products used for Dior’s Spring 2008 Look include:
Skin:
*Dior Powder Shimmer for a glowing skin
Eyes:
*5-color eye shadow palettes that are available
-with a more matte but silky finish – 5 Colors (check out Spring Bouquet 470 palette or choose for a more intense look Stylish Move)
-in a glittery “ultra-wet” texture - 5 Colors Iridescent in with a touch of violet (the palette name Pink May 909 speaks for itself)
-Diorshow Mascara
Lips:
*Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss Reflect 457 (Pink Liberty) or Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss Reflect 127 (Beige Velvet)
You can see more details and a video at Dior’s site.

GUERLAIN Spring-Summer 2008


For a more dramatic look you can use a new spring 2008 palette from Guerlain. Guerlain Spring 2008 collection includes:
*Limited Edition (see the photo):
- Ombre Eclat Fleur de Feu eyeshadow
- KISSKISS Stick Gloss Fleur de Feu (raspberry pink lipstick)

BOBBI BROWN Spring-Summer 2008



Bobbi Brown developed limited edition palettes in pink for two looks: Pink Raspberry look and Pink Satin Look for spring-summer 2008 (see photos)

*Pink Raspberry palette includes:
-Navajo and Fog Eye Shadows;
-Pink Raspberry Blush;
-Raspberry and Blue Raspberry Lip Sheers

*Pink Satin Collection includes:
- Metallic Palette with the latest velvety, shimmering shadows: Navajo Metallic Eye Shadow, Hot Stone Metallic Eye Shadow, Pink Ice Metallic Eye Shadow
- Lip Gloss Palette with three shimmer shades in pink: Spring Blossom Shimmer Lip Gloss, Posey Shimmer Lip Gloss, Pastel Ink Lip Gloss
- Mini Brush and Palette Case with three mini brushes: Blush, Eye Shadow, and Lip Brush (with protective cap).

Beauty Trends: Lips in Pink Spring-Summer 2008 8 Dec 2010 10:21 AM (14 years ago)

Pink lips are a classical color choice for a spring/summer season. This year it is really a popular lips color. A great selection of lip glosses and lipsticks is available in new spring 2008 makeup collections. I want one but really am torn between the options! So here is an overview of some of them.


For those who like glitter, there is Shiseido’s Spring Collection which includes various shades of pink shimmer lipstick.

Another new pink lipstick launched for spring/summer 2008 season is something special. Lancôme’s Color Fever Shine Lipstick in Pixel Pink was created by a fashion designer Thakoon and a celebrity makeup artist Gucci Westman. This lipstick in sheer raspberry shade was worn by the models at Thakoon’s Spring 2008 fashion show.

Guerlain’s new KISS KISS Stick Gloss Fleur de Feu is in “blazing” raspberry pink shade and is a combination of a lipstick and a lip gloss that promises “extreme shine”. For a selection of other fruity colors, check out Guerlain’s KISS KISS Stick Gloss - Extreme Shine Fruity Colours.

I discussed Dior’s floral pink look in my previous post. For lips "Bloom in Dior" use: Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss Reflect 457 (Pink Liberty) or Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss Reflect 127 (Beige Velvet)


If you are looking for lilac and purple shades, consider limited edition gloss in lilac from Clarins Spring Collection or Givenchy’s limited edition Rouge Interdit from their New DENIM GLAMOUR collection in 35 - Mauve Fetish, 36 - Stylish Purple. I was intrigued by the description at Givenchy’s site: Indigo pink, highlighted with white pearlescent particles, and sooty plum (a favorite), with pink pearlescent particles…. Notice the combined white pearlescent particles for MAUVE FETISH, that gives it a moist, sensual look and of pink pearlescent particles that light up STYLISH PURPLE...”

Glamour Germany Announces Best Beauty Products 2008 8 Dec 2010 10:20 AM (14 years ago)

Glamour Germany announced best beauty products of 2008 in their winter-spring 2008 special Beauty Issue. Actually these products are nominees selected by magazines and the readers were offered to select a product of their choice! So, check it out.


Best of Luxury Skin Care (Face):
Multi Recharge, Biotherm – “Intensive energy kick for the skin”, contains ginseng and thermal plankton extracts
Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher, Estee Lauder – serum reducing pores
Aquamilk, Lancaster – rich moisturizer with coconut-, rice-, palm-milk

The Winner as chosen by German Glamour readers is Multi Recharge, Biotherm

Best of Luxury Body Care:
Soin Complet Special Vergetures (Stretch Mark Control), Clarins – promises to help reduce appearance of stretch marks
Amour Crème Corps Tres Parfum (Pure Fragrance Body Cream), Kenzo - perfumed body moisturizer
Donna Karan Gold Cleansing Lotion, Donna Karan – perfumed douche lotion, smells of amber and lilies

The Winner as chosen by German Glamour readers is Soin Complet Special Vergetures (Stretch Mark Control), Clarins


Best of Luxury Make-up:
Best Foundation:
* Mat Lumiere, Chanel –this light fluid foundation helps to keep oily skin matte
* Teint Majeur, Yves Saint Laurent – a combination of a foundation and an anti-aging treatment
* Supermoisture Makeup, Clinique – lightweight moisturizing foundation

The Winner as chosen by German Glamour readers is Soin Mat Lumiere, Chanel

Best of Makeup for Lips:
* Eclat Minute (Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector), Clarins – gloss and lipcare in one
* Kiss Kiss Liplift, Guerlain – smoothing basis for a lipstick
* Full Potential Lips, Clinique – lips plumping gloss

The Winner as chosen by German Glamour readers is Full Potential Lips, Clinique

Best Make-up for Eyes:
* Diorshow Black Out, Dior
* Bad Gal Blue, Benefit – dark-blue mascara “makes eyes sparkle”
* Virtuose, Lancome – specially shaped brush ensures that each lash is reached

The Winner as chosen by German Glamour readers is Virtuose, Lancome

Best of Luxury Perfume
* ck IN2U, Calvin Klein
* Midnight Poison, Dior
* Infusion D’Iris, Prada

The Winner as chosen by German Glamour readers is Midnight Poison, Dior

Best Beauty: German Glammies - Best Hair Products 8 Dec 2010 10:16 AM (14 years ago)

Today I’m continuing the list of Best Beauty Buys 2008 announced by the German Glamour. I am listing in this post Best of Hair Products Nominies and the Winners.

Best of Hair-Care

Age Densiforce, L’Oreal Professional - strengthens hair with Omega-6 and provides volume

Perfect Color Rich Protective Mask, Douglas Hair – intensive treatment for colored hair

14-day Treatment Shampoo with Almond Oil, Guhl – helps against split hair

The Winner as chosen by German Glamour readers is 14-day Treatment Shampoo with Almond Oil

Best of Hair Styling

High Hair Style Foundation, Wella – spray that allows easier brushing and adds shine

Got2B Happy Hour, Schwarzkopf

Extra Volume and Shine Mousse, Dove – ensures your hair color lasts longer

The Winner as chosen by German Glamour readers is Extra Volume and Shine Mousse, Dove

Beauty and Makeup: Concealer Overview, Application and Tricks 8 Dec 2010 10:13 AM (14 years ago)

When I was looking for a good concealer, I did not have time to look into what actually makeup artists recommend and what application tricks they are using. So in this post I will mention the concealers I tried out and share some YouTube vids I found useful. A couple videos are by makeup artists and one is a show episode from Tyra Banks where she gives tips based on her experience as a model.

Concelaers/Highlighters I've tried:

So I've tried concealers from Bobbi Brown's Creamy Concealer Kit (available with loose powder), MAC (comes in a small container with a brush applicator), L'Oreal (comes in a pen with a brush applicator),Bourjouis(pen-brush), Laura Mercier's Undercover (combines Secret Camouflage & Secret Concealer in one compact), Dior's Skin Flash (comes in a pen-brush applicator), Helena Rubinstein’s Magic Concealer (comes in a tube without an applicator).
Now I am using

Highlighter - YSL's Touche Eclat (i think it is Luminous Ivory but they have no number on the pen so I need to make sure),

Concealer - Elizabeth Arden's Flawless Finish Concealer (Anti-Cernes)# 02 Medium



and am experimenting with a

concealer palette by Catrice that includes light salmon, green, beige tones.



Concealer Color and Application Technique:

First of all, what only experts don’t recommend! Some swear by yellow concealer tones, others, by salmon tones, some recommend to set concealer in with a powder, others don’t. Everybody has their own technique I guess.

In terms of the color choice, makeup artist Eve Perl made it clear once and for all. It should be salmon color! Sharing some makeup tips in her video, Eve said: “Think about it for minute, if you mix yellow with blue, what do you get? Green. That’s how we get these racoony undereyes…” Well, out of my experience, I think pink tones do help to neutralize dark under eye shades but I don't think concealer has to be intense salmon color. The light ivory tone with a touch of pink in YSL Concealer works for me excellent. See the video below.

Sisley Gentle Eye and Lip Make-up Remover 8 Dec 2010 9:59 AM (14 years ago)

Product Tag Line:

Perfectly cleansed eyes and lips, with gentleness and respect.

Product Profile in short:
(as described on Sisley Website)
•Dissolves makeup quickly and thoroughly
•Does not dry out skin
•Instantly provides a feeling of freshness and comfort

Promise:
Removes make-up thoroughly without making skin dry
“Particularly suitable for sensitive, fragile eyes and contact-lens wearers”

What’s Inside:
•Matricaria, Cornflower, Gardenia, Orange Blossom.

Close-up on Active Ingredients:
Water
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis- Orange flower extract, also contained in Sisley’s Eye and Lip Contour Cream
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate – nonionic surfactant (very mild), derived from coconut.
Gardenias Florida Extract – used in cosmetics to impart fragrance and as an antioxidant
Butylene Glycol - humectant (attracts moisture to the skin)
PEG-40 Glyceryl Cocoate - conditioning, cleansing agent derived from coconut
Propylene Glycol - emollient, hydrating agent
Chamomilla Rewcutita (Matricaria) Extract – provides gentle soothing, healing, anti-inflamatory effect
Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract – Cornflower extract, very often used in products for the skin around the eye, has soothing qualities, beneficial for sensitive skin. In addition, provides gentle stimulating and effective moisturizing, refreshing effect
Panthenol - the provitamin of B5, humectant, emollient and moisturizer, panthenol is able to penetrate into deep skin layers, provide essential moisture and a plumping effect. Panthenol is used to treat/releave minor various skin disorders and irritations
Sodium Coceth Sulfate-mild surfactant
Phenoxyethanol – has multipleuses as antiseptic, antibacterial, fixative in perfumes etc.
…

As always in Sisley products, a couple parabens at the end are used as preservatives.

Experience

Texture: light liquid with no oil additives
Smell: Very very light and natural, I believe, I did not find perfume in the ingredient list

This is another product from Sisley that I just love! It removes makeup easily and effectively and is simply a pleasure to use it. Just as Sisley promises, Gentle Eye and Lip Make-up Remover gives you an instant refreshing feeling and eyes feel comfortable, soothes and clean! I love that it doesn’t contain oil and your skin doesn’t feel oily or sticky after using. Niiicccccee!

However, what is not mentioned on Sisley’s website is that Gentle Eye and Lip Make-up Remover is not suitable for water resistant makeup. my own observation is that it works just fine with “long-lasting” products. When I was buying this product, the sales girl explained that Sisley promotes philosophy of balanced healthy skin and waterproof makeup is not at all healthy for your skin. I agree and use waterproof mascara VERY seldom.

Price Tag:
about $ 50-55

Sisley Cosmetics Roundup and Free Samples 8 Dec 2010 9:57 AM (14 years ago)

This is a roundup of my reviews on Sisley products.

I tried and reviewed six products by Sisley:
-All Day All Year
-Sisleya Radiance Anti-Aging Concentrate
-Sisleya Eye and Lip Contour Cream
-Buff and Wash Gel
-Sisley's Energizing and Foaming Exfoliant
-Confort Extreme Body Cream for Very Dry Areas
-Gentle Eye and Lip Makeup Remover

My favorites are exfoliating products for body and face and the Sisleya Radiance Anti-Aging Concentrate.

Mostly I was impressed with the quality and effectiveness of Sisley cosmetics. I also liked the natural herbal smell and the texture. I’ve read several articles about Sisley which developed my respect for this luxury cosmetics brand. The two articles I came across recently were from Russian Glamour and from German Vogue Beauty Edition (winter 2007). In addition to the information I already knew, I found out a couple more interesting facts. As I have mentioned in my first post on Sisley, it is a family run business owned by the d’Ornanos. What I like is that the d’Ornanos are very passionate about their work and their cosmetic/perfume creations. Hubert d’Ornano, a descendant from a long line of French aristocrats (according to Vogue he is related to Napoleon’s cousin), started Sisley brand after working with his brother and father in Orlane – another wonderful cosmetics brand that the d’Ornanos co-founded together with Jean D'Albret. Hubert’s wife Isabelle d’Ornano is Polish and is the Vice-President of Sisley. According to Vogue, she personally tests Sisley’s products through all the stages of their development and her bathroom shelves are filled with samples of products that are just in the process of creation. She is also 100% faithful to Sisley’s products and does not use any other brands. Well, according to Vogue 99% as she cannot resist Touche Blush by YSL. Otherwise she lays hands on competitors’ products only when she wants to check out their presentation and packaging or how consistent the product description in various languages is. Hubert’s and Isabelle’s son Philippe and daughter Christine work together with their parents at Sisley to keep up Sisley’s success and bring new projects to life.

And finally, I have some precious samples of Sisley’s products to give away! They include Moisturizer with Cucumber (4ml) for all skin types, Buff and Wash Gel (5 ml) with botanical extracts, Phyto Teint Eclat, fluid foundation, oil-free – long lasting (2ml). If you want to try your luck, just leave a relevant comment on any post of my blog and send me an email to beautyhealthinfo at yahoo.com marked Sisley samples in the subject line. Let me know under what nickname and where you left the comment. As soon as I have 10 relevant comments, I will randomly select the winner and send the samples.

Beauty and Makeup: ArtDeco Eyeshadow Eye Designer # 50 8 Dec 2010 9:56 AM (14 years ago)

I think I found the best (for now) eyeshadow tone to create Leona Lewis “Bleeding Love” look! It is Long-Lasting Eyeshadow powder by ArtDeco # 50 in the Eye Designer line (photo above: on the left #50 on the right #49). To use this shadow you have to buy a special applicator as well– see the photo.
ArtDeco, founded in 1985, is a Germany company that manufactures skin care and makeup products.
ArtDeco is available in more than 50 countries in Europe as well as in Brazil, South and Middle America and some other lands.
www.artdeco.de



Color:
#50 - I love the color! Hard to describe it though – it is something like dark earth color with green/brown tones. It also has tiny gold sparkles. Ladies who have green eyes (and Leona does) will be amazed by how this shadow brings out the green color of your eyes without actually looking green…

Applicator:
Love the applicator. On one end it is rounded - which is good for blending (or blending in another color), on the other end is pointed for more accurate targeted application. You can use the pointed end to apply shadow close to eyelashes and in the inner corner. Found this applicator very convenient for doing both a dramatic eye and a more reserved eye makeup.

Texture:
Smooth and silky. Easy to apply and correct mistakes. However you won’t get VERY intensive color. For a more dramatic look I use eyeliner pencil under the shadow and a liquid eyeliner over it. I also noticed that if you apply a lot of ArtDeco shadow to achieve maximum intensity, it becomes hard to blend in another shade. The shadow kind of gets wiped away by the next tone I am trying to blend in. And you do need to blend in case you want to create a smoky eye. (Sorry, but the color looks a bit different in the photo)

Lasting Time and Smudginess:
It does last. I should say it will easily last the whole night out or a day in the office but with some touch ups, the color will fade a bit but eyes will still look made up. It stays in place but it leaves an imprint on the upper lead.

Bottom Line:
I really like the color, how it makes my eyes stand out and how it brings out the green of my eyes. Even though this eye shadow has some room for improvement (e.g.: I wish it had better blending properties), I already bought another refill #50 and another applicator with a golden shadow.

Price:
Applicator approximately 20$
Refill approximately 10$

PS: ArtDeco has a perfect Eyeliner Soft Kajal Liner 86 to match Eye Designer Eyeshadow # 50. It is very soft and easy to apply - like it a lot!

Beauty Fact: Smoking Can Be Worse For your Skin than Sunbathing 8 Dec 2010 9:55 AM (14 years ago)

Did you know that one puff of a cigarette subjects your body to more free radicals than a UV-dose needed for a suntan?

Most of us know smoking is bad for your health on the whole and for your skin as well. Inhaling tobacco smoke results in restricted blood vessels and, subsequently, reduced amount of blood flow to the skin. As a result your skin is deprived of the vital oxygen and nutrients and soon smokers develop this grey or yellowish complexion.

Another fact related to the nasty habit may make some smokers finally quit. According to German Vogue (Apr 2008), one puff of a cigarette creates over 100 times more free radicals than a UV dose enough to get a suntan. In an interview to Vogue, Professor Dr.Leonhard Zastow, Senior VP of Coty in Monte Carlo, explained that smoking also brings down body’s ability to protect itself against sun damage. Another striking fact is that only 8 hours after your last cigarette oxygen flow in the body comes to normal and only 48 hours later nicotine is completely out of your system. You will have to wait for two more weeks to get back a healthy skin color!

If a smoker is reading this post and has not yet decided to quit, let me rub it in. According to some studies quoted by skincarephysicians.com, statistically smokers develops premature signs of aging much sooner than a non-smoker and even in 20 year old smokers “facial wrinkling, while not yet visible, can be seen under a microscope.”

Wow! I am glad I am not a smoker!

Tips on How to Minimize Expression Lines 8 Dec 2010 9:54 AM (14 years ago)

My sister, who will turn 18 in a month, was visiting me last weekend. Knowing about my passion for skin care, she inquired pointing to her forehead, : “I already have wrinkles. What should I do?” I explained that those are not yet wrinkles but light expression lines but if she continues to express all the array of emotions with her forehead, wrinkles will follow soon. “But how can I be expressive otherwise?” she asked. “I can’t just have a frozen face”.

The fact is that we wrinkle foreheads, squint eyes, furrow eyebrows and crinkle noses a lot out of a habit, we don’t even notice or realize it. Very often we don't feel that our facial muscles are tightened. Remember the feeling before and after a massage session? Before a massage you don’t even realize that your muscles are so stressed. However, after the session your body feels so much more relaxed and just a tone lighter. The same with the facial muscles – we often tighten them habitually and just get used to it.

It is not necessary to completely stop expressing your emotions and wear a “mask” for a face. However, if you invest some time and effort, you will slow down the process of expression lines formation.

What you need to do is
- learn to relax your facial muscles
- don’t wrinkle your forehead or raise brows for every reason either you are thinking hard or are just telling an interesting story
- learn to make up for less forehead wrinkling by expression of you eyes, tilt of your head or hands gesticulations
- don’t squint your eyes, wear sunglasses or, if you do it for the reason of a bad sight, get lenses

Here are a couple exercises and tips I came across that will help you get started.

1.Place a mirror on your work desk so that from the corner of your eye you can see your reflection. You will look into the mirror from time to time and notice if you start wrinkling your forehead or frowning etc. Just relax the muscles. Soon you will start noticing the difference between tightened muscles and the relaxed ones.
2.When at home, wear a thin silk ribbon on your forehead. When you raise eyebrows you will feel it move.
3.Do the following exercise daily: Stand in front of the mirror and relax your facial muscles, concentrate on relaxing your forehead and eyebrow muscles, just let your eyebrows be heavy and all of your facial muscles to just “fall down”. Keep relaxing until you see almost no expression lines anymore. You can help yourself by tapping lightly on your forehead and along the eyebrows. It also helps to prepare for the exercise by doing a light massage when applying your moisturizer.
Do this exercise for at least 1 minute. Later, when you are better at relaxing your muscles, you can bring it down to 30 sec. I would recommend for the beginners to do it minimum 2 times a day in the afternoons and evenings.

I started to be more careful about my facial expressions some time ago and have been doing the 3rd exercise regularly. I do feel it when I frown or wrinkle my forehead so I just try to relax as much as I can. It has been very helpful up till now. I’m turning 29 soon – no lines yet in sight. I do get forehead lines by the evening and on stressful days but after the abovementioned evening exercise and a night’s sleep, I wake up with a smooth forehead ready to face another stressful day

Beauty Review: Schick Quattro - Razor for Women 8 Dec 2010 9:50 AM (14 years ago)

Summer makes several beauty related issues a priority. Light summer clothes and beach season means we are all concerned with the issues of smooth skin. And, of course, getting rid of unwanted hair is one of the top priorities. Smooth beautiful legs and sexy bikinis are a must for the sunny season. In summer we depilate more often than in other seasons. That’s why the time it takes and the convenience matter a lot. In this review, let’s speak razors! Recently I was requested to review a new razor for women: Schick Quattro. For this purpose I was provided with a sample razor (thanks!). However, note - this is an unpaid for and unbiased review.

Features:
- four ultra-thin blades
- pivoting head “ to follow all your contours”
- 2 conditioning strips with Vitamins
- sleek metal handle for precise control
- comfortable rubber grip
- shower hanger (not sure if available in every package)

Promise:
"Long lasting smoothness - so you can skip a day or two"
When using the razor, I was very impressed with the angle (radius) of the pivoting head. It is very flexible and moves within about 40 degrees range which does make it easy to follow all the contours of the body.

Experience:
Before I even used Schick Quattro razor I already liked it! Why, you ask? The package includes a shower hanger. My bathroom is always overloaded with things that just get scattered around so it does not look particularly neat. However, with Schick Quattro you just hang your razor on the wall right where you need it. Convenient! Loved this feature!

When using the razor, I was very impressed with the angle (radius) of the pivoting head. It is very flexible and moves within about 40 degrees range which does make it easy to follow all the contours of the body.



Due to the pivoting head and overall design you can also easily do the knee area, reach any stray hairs underarms, or even depilate the bikini area. Shaving feels smooth, comfortable and did not give me razor bumps. And it is quicker than using an electric epilator or a depilation cream. Usually, I do not use a razor on the bikini area but I decided to give it a try. It went quite fine, but the skin felt sensitive afterwords so I still prefer using an electric shaver on this area.

Note: For shaving to be bumps and redness free you have to follow some main rules: do not apply too much pressure on the razor against the skin, do not stretch the skin, do not go against the grain and do use a shaving gel.

The time the smoothness lasts will vary from person to person. In my case, the skin usually remains smooth for a couple days.

I also enjoy some things about Schick Quattro that are not directly related to the quality of shave. For example, I like the handle. It is very convenient due to rubber grips so the razor does not slip out of your hands. I also like that due to the fact that the handle is partly metal it does have some weight to it. Feels nice in the hand.

Excellent product!

Paris, Champs-Elysées - Guerlain Boutique 8 Dec 2010 9:48 AM (14 years ago)

Paris and shopping are the two things that simply go together! And when you think shopping in Paris, you think Champs-Elysées. According to wikipedia, the name refers to the “Elysian Fields”, the place of the blessed in Greek mythology. When you find yourself in this world famous avenue you can consider yourself truly blessed with shopping opportunities! This most prestigious and broadest Paris avenue offers quite a few must-at-least-drop-by shopping spots. For a great choice of beauty products such as perfumes, makeup and skin care, you can choose from Sephora, Marriannaud, Guerlain and other boutiques!


Most of these stores have a modern design and feel to them. However in one particular place you will feel magically transported a hundred years back and will have a really memorable shopping experience. 68 Champs-Elysées is the address of a 3-floor Guerlain boutique. It is elegant, luxurious and unforgetable. The boutique first opened its doors in 1914 and was built for Guerlain by architect Méwès known for for building the Ritz Hotel on the Place Vendôme.


When you walk into the boutique, you find yourself on the ground floor with a couple displays of Guerlain perfumes and skin care. Friendly staff recommended taking a look upstairs. Right across from the entrance is a staircase leading to the mezzanine floor.
This floor as I read online was initially made up of small partitioned rooms and left vacant for several years and then it was restructured into a single space. Now this area is divided into 2 spacious rooms. One of them is devoted to "haute" perfumery and is located on the side of Champs-Elysées.


The centerpiece of this room is a gorgeous crystal chandelier over a lighted round perfume display. On the other side with windows looking into a courtyard I found a beauty area with makeup and skin care displays, several chairs and three large mirrors that seemed to be suspended over you in mid-air.

The sales girl gave me a small tour and told shortly how the successful history of Guerlain House began. She told me about the Eau de Cologne Impérial created by Pierre-François Pascal Guerlain in honor of Empress Eugenie which lead him to become Her Majesty’s Official Perfumer.

I tested several recent Guerlain’s perfumes including the Aqua Allegoria Fig-Iris and Cruel Gardenia. First the perfume is sprayed on a fan which is then lightly waved at you so that you can experience various notes and get a feel for the fragrance.


I like very light refreshing notes so my favorite out of the Guerlain’s perfumes I tested appeared to be Herba Fresca from Aqua Allegoria collection.

Further on, I was quite nosy to try out Guerlain’s classics Shalimar, Jicky and inquire into the story of their creation.



Then I took a look at the other room to try out Guerlain’s newest mascara - Le 2 de Guerlain Mascara.

And, finally, I made my purchase - no, not a perfume. I bought my favorite eye cream ever – Happylogy Eye (Glowing Eye Care/Action on first wrinkles, dark circles, puffiness). The best cream I have ever used, I stay true to it for already 3 years.



I requested it to be packed as it was a gift. Well, it was a gift - a gift for myself on the wonderful occasion of enjoying Paris and the beauty of shopping at La Maison Guerlain.



As I was about to leave the boutique the sales girl offered to spray Herba Fresca over me. The offer I was more than happy to accept!

Beauty Fact: Lipstick Theory 8 Dec 2010 9:46 AM (14 years ago)

Did you know that lipstick sales are linked to the state of the economy? But not in the way you might think!!

This is called Lipstick Theory. The first to suggest the relation between beauty products sales and the state of the economy was the former head of Estee Lauder – Leonard Lauder. If you expect lipstick sales go down during the hard times, you are wrong. On the contrary, they go up! And “the thinking behind the theory is that consumers turn to inexpensive luxury goods such as lipstick to console themselves” when the higher priced pleasures are out of their reach (www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com).

Another surprising statistical fact has been recently revealed by Kline, a consulting & market research company. "Our data shows that for every 1% increase in the unemployment rate, women buy $25 million more lipstick during the year." (see this article)
Kline analyzed 50 years of lipstick sales and confirmed that the Lipstick Theory is real.

Beauty Talk: Thermal water sprays 8 Dec 2010 9:45 AM (14 years ago)

Photo by Hypergurl
During summer a spray with thermal water is a must-have. On hot summer days, it saves our skin from dehydration in the office or at the beach. I also use it year round to soothe my skin if it feels sensitized or irritated. And finally, some use thermal sprays to set in makeup, which I don’t really do.

When my husband saw me buying another thermal water spray (my favourite is Vichy), he couldn’t hide his bewilderment – “It’s just WATER!” – he said, “Just water in a spray!” He expressed his amazement at the talent of the marketing people who managed to sell “just water” to appearance-concerned women. I had to explain that it was not “just water”. Thermal water contains minerals and elements which are useful for our skin; it moisturizes and soothes the skin. At this point I exhausted my knowledge on the point under discussion. However, just recently I came across 2 articles on this topic: one from Mini, women’s magazine by Burda (Russia, August 2008) and the other at www.ellecanada.com. I found some interesting facts that I want to share.

First of all, “Thermal” means that the water was located deep underground and its temperature reached 20-63 degrees Celsius. Higher temperature means higher concentration of minerals.

Photo by Mikecpeck
According to Mini, thermal waters are classified based on concentration of salts:
1. hypertonic – high in salts
2. hypotonic – low in salts
3. isotonic – close in composition to blood serum

Thermal waters from Vichy, Avene and La Rosche-Posay are hypertonic.
Thermal Water from Vichy contains 17 minerals and 13 microelements. It is very effective at soothing irritated skin.Vichy water also relieves swelling and strengthens skin’s immune system. Elle Canada quotes Caroline Debbasch, scientific communications director at Vichy Laboratoires International: “Clinical studies show that this mineral-rich water fortifies the skin, restores pH balance and protects against external aggressors like pollution”.
Avene thermal water is rich in silica and can be used on sensitive skin to sooth irritation.
La Rosche-Posay Water is high in selenium and provides natural anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory action.

Water Cauterets doesn’t come in a spray. It is an important ingredient of Galenic’s Cauterets line of skin care. This water contains sulfur and together with Uriage Thermal Water belongs to the isotonic group. Sulfur in Cauteres produces a sebo-regulating and mattifying effect on the skin. According to Mini, Uriage water contains “inert gas nitrogen”. It is highly moisturizing and delivers moisture to the upper layers of epidermis. According to Uriage website, “As well tolerated as a physiological serum, it alters neither the size nor the volume of the cells. URIAGE THERMAL WATER is suitable for all skin types, even the most sensitive and reactive.”

I did not find any examples of hypotonic water sprays. Mostly hypotonic waters mentioned in descriptions of SPA facilities offering treatments with water from hypotonic thermal springs.

How to apply thermal water? What kind of rules can there be about applying water?! – you’ll say. Surprisingly enough there are some recommendations. As Mini writes, if you are using a hypertonic water, spray it on the skin and after 30 seconds wipe your skin dry. Otherwise it can cause “loss of hydrofixators of epidermis” and loss of moisture as water will be naturally drawn from the skin to the salt, as the author explains.

There are also other kinds of water sprays that are mostly referred to as mists. But that’s already a different story.