We can work it out!!!!

Recently myself and my photographer/friend extraordinaire Mhelanni Gorre of Gorre.Geous Designs were feature as emerging artists in FashionBerry Magazine.

Ch-ch-check it out!!

www.fashionberry.com

RIVERSOL!!

I'd like to start out by apologizing for why this entry is so late.  I wanted to do Riversol justice. 

Riversol is a fabulous anti-aging skin care line by internationally-recognized dermatologist Dr. Jason Rivers.  It is run locally in British Columbia, Canada.

Let me tell you something about skin care.  It can be tricky.  There are so many products out there that claim to do this and that and they don't.  So its rare for me to come across a skin care line that does what it claims to do.  Riversol is one of them.  

The nifty thing about Riversol is, their whole product line contains an antioxidant called : thujaplicin (thoo.ya.pli.sin).  Thujaplicin is an extract of the Pacific Red Cedar tree.  It is a potent anti-oxidant that has both anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties.

Riversol's full line of products is about simplicity.  There are only 7 products in the T Plus line. 2 cleansers, 4 moisturizers and 1 serum.

Riversol is a great choice for people with common sensitive skin conditions such as rosacea, eczema, and acne.  The entire line is fragrance-free as well as hypoallergenic.  It is also extremely gentle and can be used after most anti-aging skin care treatments as well as laser treatments.  Now THAT is something!

Now, I take pretty good care of my skin. I do everything Im supposed to do and more.  Imagine the surprise when my skin started looking even better!!  

I sampled 4 products. 

T Plus Foaming Gel Cleanser

T Plus Daily Moisturizing Cream

T Plus Revitalizing Eye Cream

T Plus Vitamin C & Vitamin E Serum

Each one is fabulous.  The Gel Cleanser is perfect for all skin types.  It is a gentle cleanser that gives you that clean, fresh-faced feeling after washing.  

The Daily Moisturizing Cream is equally wonderful.  You need so little yet it does so much.  Your skin won't feel oily or sticky.  It feels as though you have nothing on at all, yet your skin is soft and supple.

The Revitalizing Eye Cream does exactly what it claims to do.  It reduces the appearance of dark circles and under-eye puffiness. The cream is so gentle and creamy and dissolves in right away. It is super hydrating and it instantly refreshes around your eye area.

Now the kicker for me was the Serum.  It, in one word, is DIVINE.  I have tried many a serums before. Some did good, some not so much. With this one my skin was ridiculously brighter. It felt soft to touch immediately upon application. It is just FANTASTIC.  It is extremely gentle and is used to help prevent premature aging but because it has Vitamin C, it brightens up the skin as well.  Really, really divine.

Another big plus for me was that all Riversol products made my makeup applications so much easier.  Sometimes some skin care products take too long to absorb or can alter the way makeup goes on.  None of these products did.  It allowed for a smooth application and kept the skin hydrated all day long. And any makeup artist will tell you, that first and foremost, we need products on our clients skin that will not only stay on but will not affect our application.

I would highly recommend Riversol skin care products.  You get what you pay for, which is a luxury skin care line made simple that works beautifully.  You can view and order the full line of Riversol products at www.riversol.com or at selected physician offices.

Question of the Day

I'm 29 and beginning to see aging in my face.  Mainly, around the eyes and around my mouth.  My skin is very sensitive to anything oily and I break out.  I'd like to take care of this aging.  What's an affordable skin routine you think might work for me

If your skin is sensitive, I will also recommend you use Aveeno products.  Aveeno is a wonderful skin care line, that is affordable and will help you with your skin care concerns.  Aveeno uses natural ingredients and works fabulously for sensitive skin as well as all other skin types. Many of their skin care products are hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic

To help with reducing the signs of aging, I would start out by using the Positively Ageless Lifting and Firming Daily Moisturizer for your face.  For eye care, I would recommend you use Positively Ageless Lifting and Firming Eye Cream.

What is equally as important is that you are consistent with your skin care regime.  Especially as we start to age, it gets more and more important that you ensure you stick with your regime day and night.  For day, I would also recommend that you use sunscreen, with a minimum SPF 15.  Exposure to the sun also assist in a quickened aging process for our skin.  Exfoliation is also important to help keep your skin balanced. Aveeno's Skin Brightening Daily Scrub will improve your skin's texture which also plays a role in reducing the appearance of visible aging signs.

You can find all Aveeno products at your local beauty retailer

Good Vibrations

Since the launch of Oscillation, Lancome has seen an even greater jump in popularity with its mascara's. As the #1 in mascara sales in the world, they just keep knocking everyone else out of the ball park.

Lancome's Oscillation Power Booster is the newest vibrating mascara primer from the geniuses at Lancome. The vibrating primer enhances the look of lash thickness, density and length so that naturally occurring lash growth is more visible/noticeable. Power booster has a flexible wand. It works the same way as Oscillation. You place the wand at the base of your lashes, push the button to start the vibration and draw out. You don't need multiple coats of the primer, it deposits all the product with just one sweep of the lashes. It can be paired with your favorite mascara from any line. Though, if you know what's good for your lashes, stick with Lancome's many mascara's. Your eyes will thank you.

You can pick up Oscillation Power Booster at any Bay, Sears, Holt Renfrew, Shopper's Drug Mart, London Drugs or Sephora for $39.

Question of the Day

I am in desperate need of some make-up advice. My skin is horrible and now that the end of summer is here and I will be going for job interviews and hopefully working soon, I need to do something to make myself look a little less hideous. What should I use to help cover up the redness and blemishes? I have a Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer and powder and I find that right after I use it, my face looks more even and presentable, but it doesn't last. I will try basically anything at this point.

I would suggest that you try a primer, they help with keeping the makeup on a lot longer as well, Laura mercier's primer is actually fantastic as is Benefit's That Gal. Benefit's primer is skin brightening but I would say if you are already using a LM tint and powder, try the primer. 

Also, sometimes only using a tinted moisturizer won't give you the proper amount of coverage as it is much lighter than a foundation and all it does is even out the skin tone. What I would suggest is getting a concealer and using that to help cover the redness and/or blemishes. If you start out with a bit of tinted moisturizer and then use the concealer on top of your tint it will give you a flawless and well-evened out look. Also the best way to apply your powder to ensure that your makeup will stay on is to pat it on rather than swirl it on. Using a bit of force with a less amount of powder will actually aid in better staying power than using more powder in a swirling motion.

Thanks Oz,  Any tips on applying the primer to make it hold the makeup better?

The best way to apply primer is to apply it after your moisturizer has set and also allow it time to set before you apply your tint. Just apply all over the face as you would your tint, using a brush if you have one or fingers, dont use a sponge as it will soak up a lot of it and it'll go to waste. If you dont have a foundation brush, you can get a good one for an affordable price at Shopper's Drug Mart, QUO. try that out and let me know how it goes.

Question of the Day

I get little pimples on the back of my thighs. What causes this? How can I prevent them from appearing?

The little bumps are most likely hyperkeratinization, which is extremely normal. It can happen almost anywhere on your body: back of thighs, back of arms, on your back. The best way to diminish the appearance is to exfoliate regularly and to moisturize with a heavy cream. Meaning, do not use a lotion. The exfoliation will aid in sloughing away the dead skin cells and allows the newer, fresher skin to show. Using a heavier body cream will help keep the skin's hydration levels where they need to be to prevent your skin from drying out. Shaving can also play a role in causing these little bumps. While they may not develop into in-grown hairs, the hair follicle is wide open and this allows the bacteria/dirt to enter thus causing more little white bumps. Again, exfoliation is your best bet.

What I suggest is to exfoliate your skin 3 times a week. You don't want to over exfoliate as that can dry your skin out but just enough to keep the smoothness intact. Moisturize after every exfoliation/shower. Here is another little trick of mine. After I am done my showering/shaving/exfoliating, I always stand under the shower tap for 1 min with only cold water. It helps to close off any open pores as well!

You can't go wrong using these:

Sephora's Sephora Body Sugar Scrub

Bliss's FatGirl Scrub

Kiehl's Creme du Corps Soy Milk and Honey Body Scrub

Kiehl's Creme du Corps Body Lotion

Philosophy's Amazing Grace Body Emulsion

The above products can be found at:

Kiehl's

Sephora

And to help you buff away, you can use a loofah, which can be purchased from any drugstore. However, I suggest you buy cheap ones but it bulk. It is best if you throw away your loofah after 1 month of usage. Or you can use the loofah gloves. They have a rougher texture to them and can be used both wet and dry.

Try it out and you'll start seeing the differences right away!

Just Stunning

I came across an article in (my bible)  Harper's Bazaar called " Supermodels without Makeup" photographed by photography great Peter Lindberg.  

I just had to share it with you....enjoy