Review: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation

Recently I did a shoot for a clothing line and one of the beautiful models insisted on only using her own foundation which happened to be Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. Already naturally beautiful, it was of no surprise to me that this foundation looked absolutely amazing on her perfect skin. For myself, I typically use Bobbi Brown's Moisture Rich Foundation in Warm Beige (2.5), but have been on the market for something new for quite some time. I am pretty picky about foundations and have sensitive skin so not much works for me. When I ran out of my Bobbi foundation, I took a trip on over to Saks Fifth Avenue to purchase some more, but found myself compelled to stop by the Giorio Armani boutique and try out this foundation. Of course, Armani would have their own boutique, not just a counter. I would expect nothing less, and for the price tag of $59.00 (pre-tax), you should feel pretty darn special when purchasing it. Never one to fall for the hype, however, I tried on the foundation first in several colors to make sure I liked it and found the perfect match - which for me turns out to be shade number 5.5. At first, this foundation feels slightly watery but a little goes a long way. The foundation offers excellent coverage without feeling too heavy. It does an excellent job at smoothing out my blemishes and eliminating redness- leaving it with a silky finish. After wearing this foundation for several days, I have to say that I do like it better than my Bobbi Brown Moisture Rich Foundation but it still has flaws. For one, it is a bit drying, which can be a good thing because I don't really need to use any powder on top of it. I just wish it was slightly more dewy...perhaps this could be achieved if Armani lowered the alcohol content in the product. The second issue I have is that the color which works best for me - shade 5.5 - is a tad too dark, and the color shade one shade lighter - 5.0 - is too ashy. Ultimately, to get the perfect shade I would most likely have to blend the two shades two together. In conclusion, despite these little flaws, this is still the best foundation I have ever had!

Dermitage: What is the "Real" Deal?

What is Dermitage?

Dermitage is a skin care system sold only on the internet. The company has a classic online marketing campaign (some refer to it as a "scam") which has inadvertently angered many people. Customers get roped in by the "free trial," in which the customer only pays for shipping and handling for one full supply of two expensive face creams. However, many customers do not read the fine print explaining that they must return the product containers in two weeks and proactively cancel their account in order not to get charged the full price. If the customer does not return the product containers and cancel her account, her credit card is subsequently charged the full amount of the product which, in turn, is an automatic monthly order.

Dermitage claims to be the only skincare system with "Rejuvaline™", a patented anti–aging ingredient complex that targets the visible signs of aging. According to their website (www.dermitage.com), Rejuvaline boosts the delivery of beneficial ingredients deep into the skin to better stimulate skin repair and renewal, protect the skin, and help reduce the appearance of aging. Rejuvaline also hydrates, firms, soothes and tones to rejuvenate skin. The company boasts about their scientific "testing," and continues to claim that their product is the best on the market, beating out high end expensive anti-aging creams sold at fine retailers.

I decided to give it a shot and here is my honest, unbiased opinion...

Quality of Product:

I ordered the "Dermitage Anti-Aging System" which is a two-step system consisting of an "Instant Lifting Crème" and a "Skin Renewal Complex." (I was immediately charged shipping and handling which turned out to be less then $10.00.) The system features patented "Lifting Spheres" and "QuSomes" which claims to firm, lift out wrinkles and brighten within days, revealing soft, smooth and sexy skin. After cleansing, the "Skin Renewal Complex," is applied which is then followed by the "Instant Lifting Creme."

I have to admit that the product is pretty good albeit not as moisturizing as I'd like for it to be. Both creams are very lightweight which is good for my skin and I do notice that some of the "fine lines" on my face and forehead appear to be lighter and softer. I have been using the product for about 2 months now, and while I am not seeing the dramatic results depicted by the website - I am seeing improvement which I am happy about.

Customer Service

I live in an apartment complex where shipments are dropped off with the property manager and they did not inform me that I had received my package. So by the time I did realize that my product had come in the mail, the two week trial deadline had approached. Therefore, I called Dermitage's customer service and asked for an extension on my two week trial - which they gladly obliged. However, even after I had tried the product I decided to cancel my account because I was not comfortable having approximately $120.00 automatically billed each month to my card, especially since I don't fully use it all in one month. When I made the call to cancel, I explained that I did like the product but did not want to make automatic payments. This then prompted them to make me an offer I could not refuse. They offered to send me the full anti-aging system every 6 weeks for half the cost of an already discounted price - which turns out to be $55.00 including shipping and handling. Considering this cost, in my book, Dermitage cannot be beat. A typical face cream costs approximately $100.00, and I am so happy to get two decent creams sent to me directly every 6 weeks for much less than what I'd pay at a retailer.

I have yet to try their eye creams, but will be doing so soon! So far, I am a very happy customer. :)

Product Review: Smashbox Iconic Eyes Kit

The Smashbox Iconic Eye Kit is sold at retailers (such as ULTA) for $47 plus tax. The kit includes an eyeshadow primer, an eyeshadow palette with 4 shades, black mascara, creamy eyeliner which holds two colors (brown and blue), and 2 professional brushes - an eyeshadow brush and an eyeliner brush. As I have discussed, when it comes to eyeshadows I am a diehard Stila fan. This kit from Smashbox contained so many goodies for the price so I just couldn't resist picking one up.

Unfortunately, it appears I am allergic to the creamy eyeliner which really put a damper on the whole look for me. After attempting to use both colors at separate times, my eyes became extremely irritated, red and watery which then caused the liner to smear. Definitely not the same quality as the popular gel liners made by such lines as Bobbi Brown and MAC. The eyeshadows aren't bad, but they definitely do not measure up to Stila standards and the mascara is not anything to write home about either. The only thing that I really liked about this kit was the eyeliner brush which works fantastically with my Stila eyeliner shadow (used wet). I have to admit this is probably not a fair review because of how my eyes reacted with the eyeliner, but I won't be purchasing Smashbox again. Great packaging - poor deliverance. Sorry Smashbox.

5 Ways to Ease Your Rosacea

Rosacea, a skin disease which can be painful and disfiguring, is impossible to cure and difficult to maintain. The cause of Rosacea remains to be somewhat of an enigma. Supposedly your diet, the amount of stress you're experiencing, your heritage and other factors all play a role. Truthfully, however, nobody is quite sure what the real culprit is and therefore it is up to you personally to take charge of your own body - and figure out via trial and error what seems to help your skin the most. I put together a list of five suggestions for you to try in addition to any prescribed medications:


1. Avoid Heat.

Most people know that the sun can damage your skin, but what some may not realize is that for Rosacea sufferers it's not just about the sun's rays, but it's also about the heat. What it boils down is that Rosacea is about vascular dilation and an abundance of acid in the bloodstream. So think about it, heat causes dilation. Therefore, hot climates, hot showers, steamrooms/saunas, etc. are not really good for Rosacea sufferers. The next time you take a hot shower take a good look at your skin - which will no doubt be pink all over. Stay in cool environments, wash your face with calming cool water, and stay in the shade. Sunblock isn't enough. Additionally, avoid hot beverages too.

2. Pay Close Attention to and REVISE Your Diet.

Many people with Rosacea also suffer other symptoms suggestive of a food allergy, such as intestinal problems, migraine headaches, sinusitis and fatigue. Additionally, high calorie carbohydrates (i.e., pastas) and sweets are particular culprits adding to Rosacea redness. Quite frankly, after doing some research, it appears that almost anything edible could cause flushing and trigger Rosacea. This is something that I believe is individualized. The best thing one can do is consistently change their diet around and see if there are certain things that will trigger inflammation versus others. For me personally, red wine, spicy foods and foods high in sugar are the worst culprits. I also LOVE cheese and this may be a huge factor. I am not sure if I could actually give cheese up but I may do a little test to see if it would make a difference.

3. Flush Out the Flushing by Drinking TONS of H20.

"They say" that everyone should drink 8 glasses of water per day. Well if you have Rosacea, that's probably not enough. You probably cannot realistically drink "enough" water to flush out the irritants troubling your skin. So, with that being said, just always have a bottle of water handy and a bathroom close by. Avoid alcohol as much as possible (it dehydrates you), and other things such as coffee. Obviously, if you avoided everything that probably aggravates your Rosacea you'd be living on iceberg lettuce and ice cubes - so just think "moderation."

4. EXERCISE.

Exercise can cause your face to flush initially, but the long term benefits of exercise outweigh the temporary flushing. Hands down, cardio work is the best way to relieve stress and improve your mental and physical health. Another great form of exercise for Rosacea sufferers is swimming because of the simultaneous cooling affect it has over the entire body. It's best to wash your face with cool water prior to exercise, and get your exercise in a controlled environment, especially if it's hot outside and/or you live in heavily polluted area. So join a gym and hop to it!

5. Anger/Emotional Management

Strong, negative emotions can really antagonize your Rosacea. If you are angry or upset or distraught, take a cool washcloth and lay down with the washcloth over your face until you can calm down. Not only will this help limit the triggers of Rosacea redness, but it will help calm your spirit as well. I particularly like to scent my washcloths with lavender and have a bowl of ice water on the nightstand to refresh the washcloth.

Skin Care Tips: 5 Basic Tips for Clear, Radiant Skin

1. Know your skin type. This is key to finding the right products that will work most effectively with your skin. Typically your skin gets drier as you age. What is considered "normal" skin is actually normal to oily - in the morning after cleansing and make up application, there is no shine on the face but usually later in the afternoon a slight shine will appear on the "T-zone" area (center of the forehead, tip of the nose and chin, and cheeks). If you hardly ever see a shine on your face, and it feels very tight then most likely you have dry skin. On the contrary, if your face seems to be shiny all over and feels slick to the touch - you have oily skin.

2. For problematic skin, see a Dermatologist. If you have blemishes and/or acne, it is important to seek the guidance of a professional who can prescribe proper medication to clear your skin up. Self-diagnosis could lead to the wrong diagnosis which in turn could lead to the wrong products which would make your skin worse. Case in point: I thought I had acne and it turned out to be Rosacea. I used oil-control and acne products on my face and made the problem much worse which resulted in a pepperoni special. Please note that some medications may change your skin type temporarily and you may have to alter your normal regimine while on the meds.

3. Based on the above, create a basic skin care routine. A typical skin care routine consists of exfoliating, masking, cleansing, toning and moisturizing. It depends on your skin type and what works for you personally. It is common to exfoliate and mask once a week, and it is recommended by most professionals to cleanse, tone and moisturize once in the morning and once before bed daily.

4. Experiment with foundations. It's amazing the difference a good foundation can make. A foundation too light can make you look pasty and sick, and a foundation too dark can make you look older than your years. Ideally, you want a foundation which seems to disappear on your skin, making it look brighter and youthful. For dry skin, a rich, moisturized foundation is best. For normal to oily skin, a lightweight and moisturizing foundation combined with a loose powder is recommended. For really oily skin, powder foundation is the way to go. The color should be slightly lighter than your natural skin tone - brightening your face and evening out texture. Definitely visit a department store and ask for samples before making a selection.

5. Get your beauty sleep and stay hydrated. This is key. Okay, when you are young - say a teenager or in your twenties - you can get away with blowing off sleep but after you turn thirty you really need to get rest (6-8 hours per night is ideal.) Second, stay hydrated - water, not wine or vodka, works best. ;-)

So there have you it. 5 basic tips for bare beauty.

Follow Up on eBay Beauty Purchase

I am happy to say that my first purchase ever, a skin care purchase, via eBay - has turned out to be a success. My seller, "pretteypink2006," was very communicative throughout the whole process and I could not believe how quickly my item came. I purchased Dr.Brandt's "Laser Tight" lotion, and additionally got a handful of really great sample items. The lotion retails at $110.00 pretax, so I was happy to pay only $60.00 for everything I received. The seller also included a handy dandy make up bag from Dr. Brandt. I really like this little bag because it's basic black and slightly padded, thus making trips to the gym safe for my lotion. I will definitely continue to buy products from this seller!

PRODUCT REVIEW: Clinique Redness Solutions Daily Relief Cream

As stated in an earlier post, ("How to Be Rosy With Rosacea"), I have Rosacea. Rosacea is an inflammatory condition of the facial skin which causes your skin to flush abnormally, turn red and develop bumps and pastules. If left untreated Rosacea can be very disfiguring. This is a good example of what Rosacea can turn into:



In addition to it's unattractive appearance, Rosacea is also very uncomfortable. Typical symptoms are burning, itching and throbbing. I do take medication for Rosacea (either Tetracycline or Oracea), and also am always scouting around for new products to try. I absolutely love the Dr. Brandt Laser line (Laser Relief and Laser Tight), but thought I'd give this new line by Clinique a shot.

The cream is not bad, but I do not seem to benefit from it with regards to my Rosacea. My face seems to look slightly paler after using it but I suspect it's from the green tint that this moisturizer has versus real, actual efficacy. All in all, the cream does moisturize my face nicely and I may continue using it as a basic moisturizer in addition to my Dr. Brandt Laser products simply for the price point in comparison with other professional moisturizers.