20% off all makeup at Beauty360.com

The worst part of the end of summer? The cold of winter. The best part of the end of summer? The sales! August and September are the best times to snatch up all those deals you’ve been waiting months for. And that extends to beauty products as well.

Beauty360.com is the online shopping destination for CVS/pharmacy’s beauty retailer Beauty 360 and carries brands including Mario Badescu, Vincent Longo, Warren-Tricomi, Laura Geller, Cargo and many more. Beauty360 offers the best in beauty products, from Makeup, Bath & Body and Fragrances, to Hair Care, Nail Care and Skin Care items. You can even view makeup looks, buy the products and learn how to apply them yourself.

Celebrate the end of summer with an exclusive online makeup sale from Beauty 360. From now until August 23, you can save 20% on all of your favorite makeup products using the code ‘SIZZLE‘ at checkout! Shop now and grab a free beauty gift with your purchase!

Don’t forget to follow Beauty360.com on Facebook and Twitter for more beauty tips and news, event details and upcoming promotions.

Interview with Dr. Francisco Colon: Your top skin care questions answered

After my wonderful skincare appointment with Judie at the Peer Group Center for Plastic Surgery, I met with Dr. Francisco Colon for a question and answer session. I felt so lucky to be able to ask all my burning skin care questions one-on-one to a top plastic surgeon.

To start, I asked Dr. Colon to explain the differences between medical facials, as offered at his center, and spa facials. Basically, his reply was that medical facials are results-based, scientific, and the basis for developing an ongoing skincare regimen. Clinicians that perform medical facials are much better trained to deal with skincare concerns including brown spots, wrinkles, and uneven texture, and they have the luxury of a doctor right there when needed. Dr. Colon suggested asking yourself the question ‘What do I want from a facial?’ If you are looking for purely relaxation, then perhaps a spa facial is right for you. However, if you are interested in addressing your skin care concerns and developing an ongoing skin care regimen, then medical facials are the way to go.

As a woman that loves to care for my skin, and now entering my mid-thirties, I was especially eager to learn what young women in their 20’s and 30’s can do to prevent the signs of aging. Dr. Colon said that the best thing you can do is to be healthy, protect your skin, use sun block and don’t smoke. Maintaining healthy, youthful skin can be achieved by managing and preventing acne and scarring, exfoliating and moisturizing. This is yet another benefit to medical facials. A common procedure during a medical facial is micro-dermabrasion, which removes dead cells, thereby allowing better penetration of moisturizers.

With all the buzz about the new Juvederm XC, I wanted to get more information from Dr. Colon. This filler sounds so versatile, and what I learned is that it can be used to change features. Fuller lips and cheeks are possible, as well as filling in lines related to aging. Dr. Colon explained that this HA filler offers rejuvenation without surgery, quick recovery with minimal complications and lasts on average one year.

One of my biggest skin care concerns is dark under eye circles. Dr. Colon explained to me that there is no quick fix for dark circles, and the best thing is to be evaluated by a surgeon. Depending on whether the discoloration is caused by an anatomical condition, hyper-pigmentation, or vascular issues the course of treatment would differ.

How many moms out there long for their pre-baby body back?! It is possible to regain your shape with ‘mommy makeovers’. Dr. Colon stressed that the best way to regain your pre-baby body is to be fit before pregnancy, monitor a healthy weight gain during your pregnancy, and to utilize diet and exercise for a year after your last pregnancy. If after that year, you still are unhappy with your body, you should see a surgeon to discuss your options, including anatomical repairs and restoring normal anatomy. Popular components to the mommy makeover are procedures on the breasts and stomach.

Rounding up my interview with Dr. Colon, I asked what women can do in between their medical facial appointments and he recommends sunscreen for everyone, as well as following your customized skin care regimen. Depending on what your clinician recommends, it can include exfoliating agents, Retin-A, or bleaching agents.

I can’t say enough about my wonderful experience at the Peer Group Center for Plastic Surgery in New Jersey. If you want to make an appointment for a medical facial or consultation with a surgeon, call 973-822-3000 or visit their website at http://www.peergroupnj.com/ for more information.

 

My medical facial at the Peer Group for Plastic Surgery

I was very excited as I headed into New Jersey last month for my skincare appointment at the Peer Group for Plastic Surgery in Florham Park, New Jersey. I was on a quest to learn first-hand about medical facials. Up until now, I had only enjoyed spa facials and this was my first visit to a medical facility for beauty treatments. The office looked very inviting and upon arriving, I met my aesthetician Judie. She was really welcoming and very knowledgeable about skincare. I immediately realized one big advantage to visiting a medical facility for skincare-you will get personalized treatment that will leave your skin looking its personal best. Spa facials are nice and relaxing, but they are fairly predictable and not so in-depth at addressing your skins’ needs. Right from the start of my skincare appointment with Judie, the consultation and treatments were personalized to my skin.

The first step was a question and answer about my skin and my general health. Then we entered another room and I was introduced to the Visia Complexion Analysis System. This was very enlightening for me, as it is a computer-controlled machine which scans your face and gives you an instant analysis of its condition. Using multi-spectral imaging, the Visia analyzes key areas including surface spots, UV spots, brown spots, red areas, wrinkles, texture, pores and porphyrins (bacteria). I was given a printout of my analysis and Judie went over what the results meant. All in all, I think the Visia showed that I am taking good care of my skin; however, I was able to see issues below the surface that I could work on improving through skin care.

After cleaning my face, which I must say was quite relaxing, Judie recommended microplaning for my skin. It entails using a scalpel to scrape the skin, removing the dead top layer. I was excited to try this process, as I’d never heard of it before. Judie prepped my face and then got to work, and let me just say, this was so relaxing and calming, I almost fell asleep. It was very gentle scraping and I did not feel anything painful, it was very comfortable. After the procedure, my skin looked visibly more even-toned. Dark under eye circles were noticeably lighter. And my skin felt as soft as a newborn baby.

After my skin care appointment, I met with one of the plastic surgeons for a question and answer session. I had never been to a plastic surgery office and wouldn’t have thought to seek out medically-supervised skin care. I now see that it is amazing and I urge you to give it a try as well. It was as relaxing as a spa treatment, but really aimed at working on the skin to heal damage and address issues on an ongoing basis. I was very impressed with this appointment, and with the Peer Group. Stay tuned for a recap of my interview with Dr. Francisco Colon.

Haute off the runway: Chanel Orient Extremê limited-edition makeup

Direct from Chanel’s 2010 Paris-Shanghai Ready-to-Wear show comes a new, limited-edition package of nail polishes and an eyeshadow and eyeliner set that we can’t wait to get our hands on. The Chanel Orient Extremê collection features brilliant black and glittering gold shades – colors worth coveting. The Le Vernis nail lacquer comes in a deep Black Velvet, a bright Gold Lame and sparkling Illusion d’Or. For the eyes, the Ligne et Ombre de Chanel comes in Jet/Gold, a gilded shadow paired with a contrasting black-as-night liner, for a smoldering, glamorous look. It’s the makeup you’ll want to wear on a haute night out.

Buy at Chanel.com

Spa Week 2010: April 12-18

Get ready for Spa Week!

Not sure what that is? It is a week devoted to pampering yourself with affordable $50 spa treatments. Many spas across the country are participating in this year’s Spa Week, which runs from April 12-18.

To get started, visit spaweek.com and check out all the spas in your area that are offering $50 spa treatments. Then, give them a call and book your appointments. That’s it!

Renew yourself this spring with some great spa days that won’t break the bank. I already have my facial and massage booked and I totally can’t wait!

Join the Cover FX Flash Mob and get a FREE concealer!

It takes a brave girl to admit she’s got blemishes. Unafraid to put your skin imperfections on display? Then join the Cover FX Flash Mob in New York City on March 24th and in San Francisco March 29th to reveal your undereye circles, brown patches and red spots and receive a FREE retail size Cover FX Concealer*! (Retail price: $25). And for real time updates, follow CoverFX on Twitter or fan them on Facebook.

*While supplies last.

Keep your feet happy with Band Aid Friction Block

Love your new pair of designer heels, but hate the blisters you get from new shoes? I know I do and that is why I was super excited to try Band Aid Friction Block Stick. It rolls up like a mini deodorant, rubs on clear, and protects your feet from irritation! What more can you ask for?

Perfectly portable, non-greasy, and long-lasting, Band Aid Friction Block really works! I tested it out with some shoes that I had previously banished to the back of my closet .You know those shoes that look great but just hurt your feet and rub and cause blisters? I decided to use the friction block and give them another chance.

Applying friction block across all areas where I wanted to prevent the shoes from rubbing, I felt a soft invisible barrier forming. It lasted throughout a day-long shopping trip to the mall, and I did not have any issues with pain or friction from my shoes! Small enough to carry in my purse, I’ve now added it to my make-up bag that I tote around each day.

You don’t have to deal with the pain of footwear friction. Those days of ‘breaking in’ your shoes are over. Grab a Band Aid Friction Block and keep your feet feeling great, and most of all, pain and blister-free!

Purchase at any retail drugstore or online at Amazon.

Keep your lips healthy all winter with Neosporin Lip Health products

As the weather is getting colder, your lips are getting dryer! This is the time when we are all plagued with dry, cracking, chapped lips. I received samples of some new Neosporin Lip Health products and couldn’t wait to give them a try. What better time to pamper your lips than when winter is approaching?

I started using both the Neosporin Lip Health Overnight Renewal Therapy and Neosporin Lip Health Daily Hydration Therapy with SPF 20. Each night before bed, I slathered my lips with the Overnight Renewal Therapy. It goes on as a sheer white creamy layer of moisture. It is not sticky, contains no parabens, preservatives or artificial flavors, and is packed with vitamins, emollients, and a blend of antioxidant and lipids. A little goes a long way, and I found that since I’ve been using the lip therapy overnight I have not suffered from dry, cracked lips at all. This product is even clinically proven to restore healthy lips in 3 nights! 

 

To maintain my newfound healthy lips, I started using the Daily Hydration Therapy with SPF 20. With all the same benefits and healthy ingredients as the overnight formula, this glycerin-based lip moisturizer was light and left my lips with a nice shine. They were not at all sticky, and if I used it under my lip gloss and lipstick it worked wonderfully to prolong my lip color.

Portable, affordable, and from a trusted brand! Oh, and it works! You can’t go wrong with the new Neosporin Lip Health products. Grab a coupon at Neosporin’s website and then pick some up at any local drug store.

SJP does NYC perfume

According to Women’s Wear Daily, Sarah Jessica Parker has a new fragrance in the works called SJP NYC. SJP was inspired by her own character, Carrie Bradshaw. She said she drew upon “people’s impressions of seeing Carrie Bradshaw walk down the street”, what feelings that evokes for her and for them, a love for New York City and, fashion of course.

The fruity floral perfume will be released in February 2010 in Macy’s, and will enter an additional 1,500 department and specialty stores once the sex and the City movie sequel hits theaters in May 2010. Notes include mandarin, white osmanthus, strawberry, gardenia, honeysuckle, mimosa, rose, sandalwood, vanilla absolute, rum flavor and creamy musks and was developed by Parker in collaboration with perfumer Honorine Blanc.

The collection consists of three sizes of the eau de toilette — 15 ml. for $25, 30 ml. for $35 and 60 ml. for $49.

Covet and Lovely have already made a place on to my dresser. Not feeling the bottle, but I hope to add SJP NYC to my perfume collection too.

Source

Beauty gifts with purchase at Saks

Shop Saks to stock up on your fave Fall beauty products and receive a metallic Stephanie Johnson bag filled with beauty samples, plus Free Shipping with any $75 beauty purchase! Use code Megawatt. Offer valid through 9/27/09.

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