40 & Fabulous Women!

Howdy!

Here are a couple review of products used by the over 40 set and what I think of them (for what it’ worth). I’ve used them each several times, followed directions and carefully noted results.

 Dr. Brandt Laser in a Bottle–Lasertight
OK, first of all, yikes! The pricetag for this stuff at most retail outlets will be over $100.00. You can find it cheaper on the web, but it’s still a lot of money for the quantity. That said, I have used a few pricey products over the years that are worth the money (or close to it, anyway). I’m not a bargain-hunter per se, but I do know that a lot of ingredients in these pricey products are the same stuff in the drugstore brands. However, they do also usually contain higher priced ingredients. The real “ingredient” you’re paying for is the packaging, marketing, etc.

Dr. Brandt Lasertight is a delicate pink liquid dispensed from a pump bottle in tiny amounts. Purported to firm using antioxidants and sweet pea extract (?), it should be applied on freshly cleansed skin. It is a treatment product and should be set right on top of the skin (not over other creams, etc.). Now it will firm a bit and it does feel nice going on, but really after several uses, I didn’t notice much. Even while I had it on, it wasn’t nearly as firming feeling as some other (cheaper I might add) products I’ve used. Sorry, but this one was a disappointment.

Another product I’ve used recently that I really like is Dr. Jeanette Graf Skin Deep. This stuff comes in a plain white jar–no frills packaging. It’s a murky luminous gel consistency and has no real defining smell. It is meant as a super peptide product that helps reduce wrinkles. Now, I don’t really have many wrinkles (yet) as my problem is more with firming and toning my skin. I do, however have a few plus a tiny crease at the top of one of my cheeks (not sure the cause–a loss of collagen and fullness in this little, tiny spot).

I applied this one night to freshly cleansed skin and went to bed not thinking it was really up to much. It was moisturizing and as I live in desert, I need a good amount of moisture. I did immediately feel it on my face but after a few minutes it felt that it had sunk in to do it’s job. It was a pleasant surprise when I looked in the mirror in the morning and saw glowing, moisturized, plump skin. Even the little divet in my cheek was less noticeable. I’ve tried lots of stuff to reduce that little divet and this stuff actually seemed to do it. Needless to say, I’m hooked on this stuff.

I bought it on ebay as a set with another product I wanted. It wasn’t something I thought I’d get much use out of (happy surprise!). It sells at hsn.com and when I went to do more research on it and read it’s reviews, it’s clear my experience is not unique. It has a devoted following. I rarely come across products I’d actually re-purchase (so many are over-hyped and end up unused or tossed). This is one of those products. Dr. Graf has a couple other I also like that I’ll talk about another time.

Hope my info helps you. If you have a product question, please email me. I’m happy to give you my thoughts: makeupartpro@aol.com.

‘Til next time….

**Note: I offer these opinions based on my own experiences. I have no affiliation with any of the companies or products I review.

I happened across Frownies (the little brown paper & glue tapes that help you de-wrinkle) a number of years ago. I loved them (’cause they do work if you work ‘em). However, a couple years ago I ran across a method that works just as well, is super cheap and easy. All it takes is a trip to your local drugstore and about $5.00.

I use medical tape! I started out using the flexible plastic tape (waterproof, it holds on gauze bandages) and now also use the thin paper tape. The best way to use this method is to first cleanse and moisturize your face. Then take just a tiny dab of extra moisture or treatment cream (read notes below) and run it into the areas where you’ll put the tape. Don’t rub it in completely, only partically so your skin is a bit damp with it.

Tear of a square of tape and place it anywhere you need to–on crease between eye, forhead, naso-labial fold (lines between nose and mouth), side of eyes, etc. Press it on and sleep with them on. The beauty of using the plastic clear tape is that once on, you really can’t see them. Not so with the large, brown shapes of Frownies.

You can use the paper tape also, however it has some caveats. It will crease during the night if you use too large a piece. These creases can crease your skin and once removed, you’ll have a deep crevice for a few hours. Not good. Use the paper in small square and in areas that don’t get a lot of movement. I have a small divet on my cheek developing where my sleeping mask (think Mrs. Howell or “Lovey”) burrows into my face when I sleep. I place a small square piece of tape on the spot (over some good cream) and voila! In the morning, no divet!

A word of caution: Be sure to use the extra dollop of cream under these tapes. Using them night after night with no cream may leave a reddish, raw spot. These tapes actually exfoliate when you pull them off so using them in the same spot with no barrier (the cream) will start to irritate your skin.

Also, be careful with the tape around the eyes. Don’t place the plastic tape too close to the eyes. I always tear up if I get it too close. However, if it’s at least 1/4 inch from my eyes, I’m fine.

To remove, wet your face with several spashes of water. Once your face is very wet, the tapes will soften and peel right off (like a band-aid comes off easily in the shower). Have fun experimenting with this!

Over 40 & Lookin’ Good…

OK, I’m not against facelifts or little procedures that help you look and feel your best. I’m just saying you might not need one (yet anyway). At a certain time, there may be nothing, but nothing that will give you that lift or smoothness you crave in your facial contours, but you can probably stave it off for at least a few more years (or decades).

As a licensed esthtician and skincare specialist, AND a woman over 40 (heading straight into 44), I am always looking for a few easy tricks to give me a more youthful look. Over the last few years, and a lot of playing around with products in front of my own bathroom mirror, I’ve found a few that work over and over.

I’ve read a lot about makeup tips and how to make them work for you so I’ve seen a lot. Some I’m going to discuss are oldies but goodies and some are newer tricks that I haven’t heard of. Some will work for you daily, some you’ll want to delve into only before a big event (fancy dinner, reunion, meeting friends you haven’t see in ages, etc.).

I’ll try to keep them simple, but if you read them and have questions, or better yet, suggestions, please email me! I’m working on a new book about women over 40 and the dirty little secrets we have about aging (good and bad) and I’d love to share your tips with my readers!

Ready? Let’s roll…

A few years ago I was out to dinner with a group of women around my age. I didn’t know many of them, so I was fairly quiet during the dinner and listened to their conversations about kids, men, work, etc. As I looked around the table and studied them, the question in my head for 90% was “When is the last time you EXFOLIATED?”

These women were attractive, but looked (seemed to me) older and more worn than they needed to. The pervasive problem (besides a bit of dowdy clothing and one or two out-of-date haircuts) was that their skin looked tired, dull and very dry. They needed a good exfoliation and each would retain a pink, youthful glow that would knock an easy 5 years off like that!

Don’t roll your eyes thinking oh jeez, I know this already. But think about it: When was the last time you exfoliated? You need to prep your skin like a canvas and without a good exfoliation, it just can’t happen. You can give your skin a smooth, plump appearance (not to mention a nice rosy glow) in your own bathroom without the hassle of appointments and serious peeling and redness. You just need to get rid of dead skin, plump up the surface (and fine lines) and get a nice glow. A good exfoliation process will do all that in just minutes.

Have you used a good chemical or abrasive exfoliator? There are so many on the market, that there is no excuse not to. You can have chemical peels or microdermabrasion at the docs or a spa or you can use an at-home kit. The light chemical peels (usually aha or glycolic) work fine; the home microdermabrasion work well. Try each. Use one type per week and see which gives you better results. I personally love the Serious Skin Care C-peel, but I’ve tried the Beauitcontrol microdermabrasion and it works great, too.

Once your skin is prepped, you’ll find lotions and makeup just flow on and stay smooth and lovely. Get exfoliated before even thinking about trying the following tips.  TIP ONE: Exfoliate on a regular basis.