Real Beauty 101

Collagen in Coffee??

I think the whole nutra-cosmetics craze is going way too far.  I just picked up this article from one of my trade magazines.  While this product is not yet offered in the US, buyer beware and above all else, use common sense when selecting these types of products!!

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A new coffee offering from beverage manufacturer Nescafe includes collagen, aiming to help give coffee-drinkers' skin a boost.

The coffee manufacturer Nescafe has developed a new product containing collagen, the beauty-enhancing ingredient. Aimed at women, the coffee producer has started selling the sachets, that contain coffee, skimmed milk and 200mg of collagen, the protein found naturally in body tissue.

But health experts have questioned how drinking collagen could boost levels in the skin because it would be simply broken down by the gut before being excreted.

Collagen is the elastic material that helps give skin its shape. It is used by cosmetic surgeons as a "filler" to remove fine lines and is an ingredient in many anti-wrinkle creams.

Despite the precise beauty benefits of mixing coffee with collagen remaining unclear, this new beverage offering is part of a much wider trend known as “nutri-cosmetics.” This is where food and drink producers promote new products by highlighting the positive effect it can have one eyes, skin, hair and a person's general appearance.

David Jago, director of trends and innovation at market analysts Mintel, told the Daily Express, “Collagen is just one popular ingredient used to lend a more skin and beauty-friendly image to a product and is increasingly found not just in beauty products but also in food and drink products—including coffee.”

To date, the product has been launched in Singapore to rave reviews.

While Swiss-based manufacturer Nestle, the maker of Nescafe, says it has no immediate plans to launch it in Britain or elsewhere, Jago predicted European consumers would follow as more brands decide to launch nutri-styled cosmetic products.

Reprinted from:: TelegraphNews, October 19, 2009

Product Review - Mereadesso

I love trying new products and since I'm a beauty blogger and a licensed esthetician, I receive requests to try new products pretty often.  Most recently, I was asked to evaluate a new skin care line called Mereadesso courtesy of SheSpeaks.  If you are not familiar with SheSpeaks, you should be!  SpeSpeaks is an awesome online community that serves as a large testing ground for companies that market to women.  You can join SheSpeaks for free (www.shespeaks.com) and based on your profile, you may be selected to evaluate products and services.  To date through SheSpeaks, I have evaluated skin care, nail polish, shaving cream, magazines, cheese, and even TV shows!  Its awesome.  I highly recommend it.

So I was contacted via SheSpeaks to evaluate Mereadesso.  The product has a great backstory.  The line was created by a former cosmetics executive who grew tired of beauty regimens that contained too many steps and too many products.  So utilizing her degrees in botany and chemistry, she launched her own two-step skin care line.  Yes, you read that right - TWO step skin care.  Sounds too good to be true, right?? Well...

I was instructed to only utilize the products that I received in the trial package - 1 full size cleanser, 1 full size toning gel, and 1 cleansing cloth.  I was to utilize these products exclusively for three weeks.  Here's what I discovered:

Face +Neck Cleaner:  I have to say that I love the way the product was packaged.  Great look and feel to the packaging - upscale fonts and nice clean lines.  I like the zippered pouch, although since it was not TSA-regulated, I did find the pouch to be a bit extraneous. You are supposed to use the cleanser with the cloth that is supplied with the product. 

What I liked:
- My skin felt smoother and looked brighter after the three week trial (and I did not use an exfoliant).
- My skin also is definitely more even toned after using the product.

What I didn't like:
- The smell is really awful, very medicinal.
- The texture of the skin is far from milky, in fact it is extremely watery and had no "slip", therefore I had to use lots of the product in order for it to spread evenly on my skin - which I thought was  bit wasteful.
- At times, the cloth really got in the way and I preferred to just use my fingertips. It also gets dirty quickly so, you have to wash it often.

Face +Neck Toning Gel: Since I was out of my favorite serum, I was excited to try this product.  While I would probably not fit the profile of this product's target market (I have not experienced any sagging or noticeable wrinkling in my face or neck), I have to say that I did enjoy this product immensely.

What I liked:
- The product was easily absorbed into my skin.  My skin felt hydrated but not greasy after use.
- During really hot weather (like we experience in Atlanta), this is all you need for hydration.  No add'l moisturizer needed.
- One or two pumps will suffice

What I didn't like:
- The fragrance was just okay, not as bad as the cleanser
- If someone has really mature skin or lives in a dry climate, they are likely to need an additional moisturizer.

In general, I liked the simplicity of the line and I loved the fact that the products are housed in pump containers to avoid "toxic dipping".  I think these products would be great for those that travel.  However, the smell and consistency of the cleanser would likely prevent me from purchasing the products in the future.

If you would like to give them a try, go to www.mereadesso.comand enter the code shespeaks003 for 20% off your purchase!  If you try them, leave a comment and let me know what you think!

Awesome Makeup Tricks

Jamie Kern of IT Cosmetics shows how to enhance cleavage, slim thighs, and define abs - all using make-up tips and tricks.

While you can achieve the same looks using regular make-up, IT Cosmetics is waterproof, meaning you can swim in it.  You have to see this to believe it.  You can purchase IT Cosmetics on the website or though HSN.

Beauty Buzz with Jennifer Walsh

Great video featuring Jennifer Walsh, noted beauty expert, speaking about some of the hottest new skin care products.  Featured products include:

• Best of Skintentions by Bliss - super vitamin enriched moisturizer
• Freeze and Go by Freeze 247- Botox-like topical moisturizer for face
• Brazilian Peel - first medical strength glycolic peel (30%) available OTC
• Morpho Slim by Lorac - topical slimming solution

The skinny: Topical solutions have temporary effects so if you choose to purchase these products, expect to keep using them to achieve and maintain desired results. But I have to say that I am VERY curious about the Brazilian peel.  It appears to contain a neutralizer that "shuts it off" so that home users will not get burned.  However, users should expect the same recovery conditions associated with glycolic peels such as the potential for redness, flakiness/shedding of skin, and increased sensitivity until skin has fully healed.  Also, if you choose to use this product, remember to slather on the sunscreen!!  As is the case with all peels, your skin will especially susceptible and vulnerable to penetration of UVA/UVB rays which will increase chances of sun damage.

Tweet with Jennifer! - @behindthebrand

Drink your beauty!

Recently, I was told that I have been ingesting the wrong type of protein to recover from my workouts.  I bought an e-book from Jennifer Nicole Lee (if only I could look like her after 3 kids) and in it she recommends that women back away from soy protein and switch to whey protein instead.  She also recommends all kinds of great things to add to your protein shakes like organic coconut oil, flax seeds (for essential omega 3s), and egg whites (actually makes the shake super frothy and adds extra protein).

So when I heard that there was shake mix on the market that is supposed to boost hair, skin and nails, it really piqued my interest.  I have to say, I'm completed fascinated by the growing number of beautyceuticals hitting the market these days (BeutyScoop, Borba, Glowelle, etc).


Developed by a duo of plastic surgeons, BeautyScoop billed as the "edible beauty accessory".  Its been featured in DailyCandy and the Today Show and has received endorsements from Ricki Lake (really?) and Marcia Gay Harden.  It's key ingredients are safflower oil, canola oil (which contains omega-3s), assorted peptides and proteins for anti-aging (both soy AND whey), and biotin (known for strengthening hair and nails).  And it apparently tastes like vanilla and you can mix it with water, juice, or milk. This may be the newest addition to my daily shake regimen!


Another beauty drink making news these days is Glowelle.  Developed by a team of women over at Nestle, Glowelle is an all natural drink that is packed with anti-oxidants (green and white tea extract, pomegranate extract, and goji berry extract) meant to restore the skin's radiance.    Its only sold at Neiman Marcus and comes in two flavors - Raspberry Jasmine and Pomegranant Lychee.  The formulation comes in packets that can be added to water (complete with their own satchel that fits in your purse, although it looks like a tampon holder), or in pre-mixed bottles (that are quite chic).

So what's the scoop? Its undeniable that a diet rich in anti-oxidants and vitamins leads to luscious, beautiful, skin and hair - just look at people who live in the Mediterranean!  It also helps us to feel better which in turn allows us to view ourselves more positively, more radiant.  However, I am also a firm believer that genetics also plays a huge role  in determining how our skin, hair, and nails will glow and grow.  Ultimately, it will never be a bad thing to add more vitamins and anti-oxidants to our diets, but there are no magic pills (or shakes) out there.  Some people will require more aggressive treatments depending on their individual conditions.

Hey Sephora, clean up your act!

Yesterday, my friend Fergie accompanied me on a really cool spy mission.  It was a mix of mystery shopping, market research, and training evaluations all in one.  The mission was to visit several retail stores, evaluate all aspects of the customer experience, and then based on best practices in the industry, provide recommendations on areas of improvement.  There was one brand in particular that we were evaluating.  We went to three malls in the Atlanta metro area - all of which contained a store devoted to the brand("branded stores") and a Sephora which carried the brand.  It was my goal to evaluate the customer experience differences between the branded stores and the Sephora stores.

I won't bore you with all of the details, but I have to say that the branded stores outperformed Sephora by leaps and bounds.  Although there were some variances, the branded stores' associates were friendly, helpful, knowledgeable about the products, did a great job selecting colors for my skin tone, provided me with a written evaluation of products I tested, and encouraged me to visit the store again.  Overall, they did an excellent job in building rapport  and selling all aspects of the brand.

Now on to Sephora!  My goodness.  I have to tell you guys this: the first time I set foot in Sephora, I wa an exchange student in Paris (summer 1997) and I thought I had died and gone to heaven.  It was paradise! So many beauty products, fragrances, and skin care - all in one place.  Magnifique!

Well, my visit yesterday was not so "magnifique".  I typically purchase cosmetics from QVC, as you know, so its been a while since I've been to Sephora.  The first store didn't acknowledge our presence and we were standing right next to an associate for at least five minutes.  She was helping someone but she could have said "hello".   After over five minutes, we moved further into the store and waited until she was finished.  When I saw she was available, I asked her about the brand and she immediately told me that the brand was "not for African American women" and directed me to other brands. Since she is employed by the brand and not Sephora, I wonder how her employer would feel about her recommendations - especially since their colors are fine for AA women.  Also, the product displays were very DIRTY!!  Make-up was splattered all over the make-up testers and it was only 2pm in the afternoon (on a Tuesday). The bottles were stained with make-up and the jars had powder covering them.  At the next Sephora, we again, went unacknowledged.  The stores were also dirty and after nearly 10 minutes of not being helped, we left.

So, needless to say, I have a ton of info to report to the company and it doesn't look good for Sephora!

Beauty(ful) Sleep

OK, I thought I had heard of everything related to skin care.  Magic creams and potions, injections, and even skin care drinks.  Now, linen manufacturers are introducing....beauty bedding??

That's right several bedding manufacturers have developed pillows, sheets, blankets, and mattresses infused with skin care ingredients such as aloe, seaweed, and even copper.  Mattress manufacturers are infusing the ingredients into the mattress ticking (the material that covers the mattress).  Some others are enclosing the ingredients into small micro-capsules (woven into the fabric) which break open when pressure is applied. 

There are proponents and opponents on both sides.  One dermatologist stated that copper bedding may be beneficial for those with acne and others are more cautious since not many in-depth studies have been conducted. 

The products are priced anywhere from $70 for pillow cases to $1499 for mattress sets.

Copper bedding by Cupron Copper Technology is sold exclusively by Bed, Bath, and Beyond.  Prices range from $20-$150, depending on the item.

Here's the skinny - its unlikely that these items will produce lasting results on the skin due to the delivery method.  In order for ingredients to be most effective, they must be able to penetrate the dermis.  As with  most products, topical treatments often produce only temporary results. Further, the ingredients being delivered - aloe, copper, and seaweed - can be found in many products that have undergone in-depth testing. 

Bottom line - save your money.  If you want to buy great sheets, invest in high thread-counts!

Ojon is introducing a new bath and body line

Ok, so anyone that REALLY knows me, knows that I have a pretty bad QVC addiction.  Thankfully, due to the economy, my QVC habit has been placed in check.  But I have to thank QVC for introducing me to the Ojon® Restorative Hair Treatment back in 2003.  

Let me take you back.  I'm watching QVC  and this georgeous couple appears touting the effects of the rare oil of the tropical Ojon® tree known only to the Tawira indians who are referred to as "the people of beautiful hair (TM).  Its a husband and wife team and the wife's hair looked like shiny, black silk.  What sold me, of course, was when they showed the effects of the hair treatment on African American hair (after one use).  I couldn't dial fast enough.

Since then, I have been a faithful devotee, scooping the rare concotion into my hand, emulsifying it into an oil and then rubbing it onto my hair.  Its a fantastic pre-shampoo treatment and sometimes I apply it to tame flyaways.

Now the beautiful folks over at Ojon are moving into the bath and body category with their new line Tribal Indulgences Batana. Tribal Indulgences Batana.  According to WWD, Tribal Indulgences Batana Shower Gel, a paraben-free, sulfate-free body cleanser, includes a blend of Ojon, Swa+, Buriti, Acai and copaiba oils, and retails for $28 for 10.1 oz. Tribal Indulgences Batana Body Cream, $40 for 5.9 oz., combines Ojon and Buriti oils and Brazilian Murumuru and shea butter to moisturize skin, and copaiba and Acai oils to provide antioxidant protection. Buriti oil, extracted from the nut of the Buriti palm, is highly concentrated in beta-carotene; copaiba, Acai and Swa+ oils are naturally rich in essential fatty acids omega-3, -6 and -9, and are said to moisturize skin and infuse it with essential lipids.

You can find the line at Sephora in April or you can get it now at (where else) QVC.com!

Cleansing Oils

While scouring various internet forums, I came across several threads referencing "olive oil" washes.  Featured in these threads were several testimonials from people who had experienced great results utilizing olive oil to cleanse their face.

Here's the deal - most people have not nearly the amount of dirt on their face to warrant the detergents utilized in most skin cleansers, especially those that foam (i.e. strip).  Therefore, the idea of cleansing the skin with something that's not associated with soap, seems weird to most.  On top of that, the thought of putting more oil on top of oily skin just seems preposterous!!

However, the premise that "oil dissolves oil" is true.  Oil used on the face will dissolve the bonds that make up oils that are sitting on the face.  The reason is pure chemistry, but all you need to know is that it works.  

Cleansing oils work really well for those that wear sunscreen and make-up on a daily basis, especially those that wear water-proof make-up.  While using a cleansing oil to remove make-up, you'll notice that the make-up disappears in a flash and your skin will feel soft and conditioned afterward.

The key to using a cleaning oil is to start with a DRY face.  Rub the oil onto dry skin.  Then massage water into the oil which will cause it to emulsify (creates a creamy milk-like texture).  This is when the "cleansing" occurs.  Utilizing the oil on a wet face, will leave the skin feeling greasy and will prevent the oil from working effectively.

There are various ways that you can use oil to cleanse your face.  Many people use olive oil.  Personally, I recommend lighter options - such as grapeeed or jojoba oil.  The heaviness of the oil that you use, will depend on how sensitive your skin is and how much make-up you use.  The more make-up, the heavier the oil.  The more sensitive your skin, the lighter the oil.

If you want to take the guess work out of the equation, there are many great cleansing oil products on the market.

Shu Uemura Cleansing Beauty Oil

The Mack Daddy of them all.  Quite pricey at around $75 for 15ozs, this product has achieved cult status in the beauty world.  Created in the 1950s, the first versions of the cleansing oil were used on famous faces such as Lucille Ball, Elizabeth Taylor and Debbie Reynolds.  These cleansing oils use mineral oil as their base.  Shu Uemura maintains that mineral oil is the most sensitive oil and has very thorough cleansing abilities.

L'Occitane Almond Apple Cleansing Oil

This cleansing oil is formulated with a base of sweet almond oil and contains organic apple extracts from Provence (fancy...).  Apple extract is known to be an effective skin brightener and aids in preventing the breakdown of collagen.  Many users rave about its gentle feel on the skin.  Price point: $22.

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil

This product comes highly recommended and has legions of fans in the beautysphere.  Unlike others in this segment, this product has an olive oil and Vitamin E - which means its super nourishing.  Formulated for all skin types, this product has a great price point - under $20. 

Origins Clean Energy Cleansing Oil

       Probably the most complex cleansing oil of all featured, Origins' product features         Olive, Sunflower, Sesame Safflower, Kukui, and Macadamia Nut oils.  To top it off,         the product has been scented with essential oils of grapefruit, orange, and lemon -         so refreshing!!  Price point: under $20.

Laser Hair Removal...at Home? Yikes!

The sites states "Discover the first FDA-cleared laser that delivers laser hair removal in the privacy, comfort and convenience of your own home" and all I can think is "Ouch...!"  As an esthetician, I have first-hand experience correcting many of the mistakes of "at home hair removal" made by my clients - home wax kits, Epilady, depilatory creams, and the list goes on. 

Now, TRIA Beauty introduces the TRIA Personal Laser Hair Removal System - the first hand-held laser for at-home hair removal cleared by the FDA and available for sale directly to consumers in the US market.  As with most lasers, those with dark skin should proceed with caution.  Lasers typically seek dark hair on light skin and often emit too much light on dark skin which can result in burning and/or scarring.

Well the folks over at Allure have named this gadget as a Beauty Breakthrough for 2008.  The TRIA Laser is currently sold in the US at Bergdorf Goodman, STUDIO at Fred Segal, Bliss Spas, select physician offices and at www.triabeauty.com.

If anyone, tries it - leave a comment.  I'm curious about the results.  No word on how this at-home treatment compares to costly in-spa treatments.