Summer Essentials : Self Tanner, Blush, Anti Frizz Hair Stuff

I wanted to take a little bit to talk about some beauty products that I consider must-haves for the summer time. Especially for this particular summer, which happens to be a very hot one for many people.

East coast, west coast, you name it. We are ALL having some pretty severe heat and humidity waves, and it’s taking a toll not only on our bodies but also on our looks!

One of the biggest essentials for me this summer has been a great anti frizz hair serum or cream. I’m currently using the L’Oreal sulfate free line of anti frizz cream.

I like it, but I find that it works much better when I use what feels like too much to me. I’m not big on putting a ton of gunk in my hair because I don’t like it to feel weighed down, but with this stuff, it’s a light and watery enough cream that my hair doesn’t feel disgusting with more than usual in it.

I notice that if I am liberal with the application, my hair tends to fall more into it’s correct place when I blow it dry. It’s not the type of product that I feel I need to wait a day to get good results in other words. My hair actually looks decent when I blow it dry (well, most of the time!)

The second must-have beauty product for the summer time (any summer time, not just hot sticky ones) is a self tanner. At least a good one for the face and legs. Other than that, I’m finding that I really can’t stand to put self tanners on my belly and other body parts, so I rely on the sun or a tanning booth for that (yes, I do tan occasionally, I believe it can actually be constructive if you use it correctly).

I like to give my face color especially and give it that sun kissed glow. I hate having a white face or a face that looks ashen or unhealthy in the summer time, and self tanner helps me get that look without tanning it with the sun.

My face is one body part I still refuse to expose to the sunlight, as I definitely notice sun damage almost instantly when I do nowadays.

Now, for my last summer time essential beauty tool. Blush. I used to not be big on blush at all. However, I find that if you use it sparingly, it can really add some healthy looking color to your face.

I like to swipe a bit on my forehead, my cheeks (under the bone, that’s how it looks best on me, on the apple of my cheeks tends to make me look strange, decide how it looks best on you, it could be different).

I like that it give that instant color and a little bit of definition and depth as well.  It goes great with a nice self-tan on the face also. I like to use a pinkish color as I find this gives the healthiest, freshest look. I stay away from peaches.

Spray Tanning’s Popularity Boost

Spray tanning has enjoyed a huge upsurge in popularity in the past few years. Sure, self tanners themselves still enjoy quite nice sales, but it seems that airbrush, or spray tanning, has really peaked lately.

It may be partly due to reality shows like Jersey Shore sporting cast members in spray tans and fake indoor tans, or it could also be that celebrities, politicians, news anchors, and basically everyone in the public spotlight seems to have indulged in the faux spray tan before, and usually they pull it off.

You can usually tell if someone has gotten a bad one. One year Charlize Theron had clearly had a bad date with the sprayer, as she looked too dewy, too warm and orangey in her gorgeous dress.

Not to take anything away from the blond beauty, but there are several examples of movie stars donning really bad fake tans. Lindsey Lohan has been a frequent offender, as have Paris Hilton, Snookie of Jersey Shore, and yes, some of the guys of Jersey Shore as well.

After all, too much DHA, the active ingredient which turns skin darker in self tanners, is never a good thing. Not only will your skin smell to high heaven if you get too big a dosage of the self tanning ingredient, but your skin is more likely to take on an orange glow, and not in a good way.

The DHA itself has been deemed safe for cosmetic use, but some are now saying they question the safety of something when it is used on the entire body, and many times repeatedly within one month.

While I myself am still the occasional fan of self tanning, I also question the total safety of DHA and self tanning products. I did read one article that suggested there simply is not enough evidence that it is safe when applied to the skin, or is totally nontoxic.

I also read that using DHA regularly can actually prohibit your skin from producing vitamin D. Some studies suggested that those who used DHA regularly had a much lower absorption rate of this vital, life saving vitamin.

This would suggest that just getting the regular sun could be healthier than using self tanner, however, that may not always be the case for everyone.  I believe that everyone needs to get natural sunlight, but I also believe that burning the skin is a surefire way to skin damage, wrinkles, age spots, and potentially skin cancer.

Natural Grooming Products

Good grooming and hygiene are social obligations that most of us want to keep up on a daily basis.  However, after a good shower and shampoo, with all of the products we use such as body wash, conditioners, hair mousse or gel and deodorant, we have probably applied a vast array of unwanted chemical ingredients also.

There are many different ways to avoid this dilemna and still remain clean, hygienic and healthy at the same time.  Start with reading the label on your body wash or soap.  Certain chemicals should be avoided such as DMDM hydantoin because of it’s link to certain reproductive cancers and it is not deemed safe enough for use in infant’s products. 

Another chemical to watch out for is triclosan because it is also linked to cancer risks.  A solution for body cleansing is to look for mild soaps that are made with Dead Sea salts.  The minerals in these types of soaps are natural and skin soothing.

At certain times of year, especially winter and summer, your body needs extra moisturizing.  Here, again, read labels and watch out for chemical additives when you are trying to do something good for your skin. 

The solution to this problem is to look for natural creams, lotions and oils for your moisturizing needs.  Some recommended choices are almond oil, sesame oil with herbal extracts or Indian valerian.

Deodorant products present another challenge when it comes to avoidance of undesirable chemicals.  Many antiperspirants have aluminum to cause the sweat ducts to close.  The problem with the use of products with aluminum is their link to Alzheimers and other neurological disorders. 

The solution to this dilemna is to choose a natural deodorant that may allow your body to perspire but blocks the odor causing bacteria.  Look for deodorant products that contain natural antibacterial essential oils like lavender, rosemary or lemon.

For an aromatic body spritzing, avoid commercial scents with a long list of chemical ingredients.  Also, try to stay away from products that use isopropyl alcohol as their base since it can dry and irritate your skin.  Look, instead, for fragrances that use natural essential oils in their blends. 

The words, natural aromatherapy fragrances and careful label reading can set you on the right path to avoidance of chemicals while still smelling pleasant and vibrant.  You can also be sure that your children are using products that are free of harmful chemicals and toxins when you use products that do not have these ingredients in them.

Self Tanning Season is Upon Us!

It’s that time again. The time where you (maybe unwillingly) are forced to wear more bare skin and show off that pasty glow that winter has so generously bestowed upon you. Or wait, do you really have to emerge from your hibernation for the winter in pale, ashy skin? Or can you emerge as a golden goddess that looks like she spend winter in Cabo?

Well, you can have the best of both worlds and spare you skin the repeated abuse of tanning in tanning beds ( although I personally don’t think that going once in a while is a bad thing, we need our vitamin D!).  Orrr…..you can buy a great self tanner like one of these, and get that golden, healthy looking, sexy glow in the comfort of your own home.

We’re very fortunate to have access to such advanced cosmetic technology. I remember the days of QT (Quick Tan), which left you with an oompa loompa-ish look every time you used it, and would wash off if you went out in the rain. With self tanners, I actually prefer ones that only have a light tint, as I don’t like when they rub off on my clothes. so that’s my preference. 

Some people like the darkly colored ones because they like that they give them an instant dash of color. I don’t mind waiting 2-4 hours for my “tan” to develop though, and if I’m going somewhere I usually apply it far enough in advance that the real tan will develop in time.

While there are numerous brands and types of self tanners to choose from, I’ve put together some of the best self tanners that I like to use. And believe me, I’ve been around the block enough with self tanners to know what works best and what doesn’t. I know the drawbacks and merits of certain brands of self tanner, and I have an allegiance to a few particular brands that I’ve been privy to for the past several years.

I do believe that you should get a little natural sun, contrary to how I used to think just a few years ago. I’ve been doing lots of research on vitamin D, and how people are deficient in it because they are so afraid to go out in the sun.  You can go out in the sun and get a light color, it won’t kill you. The most important thing is that you protect your skin from burning.

Burning is where the real DNA damage comes in, and that’s where the real danger of cancer enters the picture. Self tanners are just a great way to complement your summer tan, because some of us just don’t tan well, even when we’re repeatedly exposed to the sun’s rays.

Chemicals Found in Perfume

I always like to smell nice. However, I really don’t care for, and am becoming increasingly sensitive to, products that are heavily, almost grossly over-scented. Some of the products I’m talking about that come to mind are Victoria’s Secret’s line of beauty and scented perfume products, and Bath and Body Works products.

Although some of them might have lighter scents that are less pungent and offensive, there is still a very “chemical” smell to them that just makes me feel like I’m spraying toxins on to my body. Although we tend to think that spraying things on our skin, or applying them in any other way to our skin, is not as harmful as ingesting (eating) something – it really is just as harmful.

You skin is the largest organ on your body. It absorbs everything that it comes into contact with. Anything you apply to your skin will absorb into your blood stream.  That is why it is important that you try to limit the toxic load that you subject your skin to. 

Especially when you are applying something to your entire body, like lotion, or soap or body wash.  Some of the chemicals that are found in perfumes and scented products are propylene glycol, acetone, ethanol, ethyl acetate, and more.  Actually, many more than you probably care to know.

This is why I’m recommending natural perfumes like those soon to come out from Aura Sensory natural perfumes and other organically produced, or at least minimally processed perfumes and scented products. I feel that we really need to be careful what we are not only putting on our body, but also what we are inhaling in to our noses.

Did you know that inhaling chemically manufactured scents can also do harm, and is also absorbed by your body?  Chemically produced scents like found in many scented candles, room sprays, incense, and other fragrant aromatics are definitely not produced naturally, and contain many chemicals that are not good for the lungs.

Actually, a lot of people are highly allergic to these chemicals and don’t even realize it. They may experience headaches, migraines, nausea, clogged sinuses and more after inhaling something made with chemical scents, and not even make the connection that is why they are feeling bad.

I was actually amazed when I started to read up on scents more and realized that even some of my allergies that I thought were just due to other things, may have been due to some of the scented products I was using, and maybe even some of the candles I was so fond of burning!

More to come on this….

Vaser Assisted Lipo/Cellulite Reduction

Cellulite, with it’s bumpy look, is an appearance that we wish we could just melt away.  Unfortunately, even with dieting and regular exercise, stubborn cellulite just stays on our abdomen, buttocks, thighs and other areas anyway.

Liposuction is one option to reduce cellulite bumps but it is very invasive and does have quite a bit of risk, especially for a cosmetic procedure.  There’s a new procedure to reduce cellulite that has recently been approved by the FDA and it is non-invasive.  

This new procedure is called the VASER Shape MC1 and it is designed to address the problem areas for cellulite.  The VASER Shape utilizes ultrasound and massage therapy through special frequency ultrasound waves. 

The device used has a dual head and it warms the fatty tissue thus creating a space for the fat cells to release their lipids and triglycerides.  The result is a reduction of fat deposits and cellulite and a tightening of the surrounding skin.

Usually, the areas the VASER Shape is used on include the abdomen, hips, arms, love handles, buttocks and thighs.  Treatment with the VASER Shape is done in the office and takes about an hour. 

The beauty of this treatment is that it requires no anasthesia and there is no recovery time.  After a few days, a follow-up visit is done for a twenty minute lymphatic massage to promote the absorption of the released fat.

Most patients can see and feel the effects of the VASER Shape after the first session.  Usually, it takes four to six treatments for the optimal results.  The thing that appeals to many patients is that after an hour of treatment, most people notice that their clothes fit better.  The outcome to this procedure is a smoothing and shaping of the problem areas of your figure.

Instead of damaging the surrounding skin, you have a tightening more desirable result with this procedure.  VASER Shape is now available at cosmetic surgery centers and medical spas throughout the country.  Patients can resume all of their normal activities immediately after treatment with the VASER Shape.

Ban on Indoor Tanning for Teens

Hello everyone. The following is a guest post by mom!  Enjoy!

I remember when I was a teenager, many years ago now, and how I wanted to be tan in the summertime.  The thinking and style of the day was that it made you look healthy and outdoorsy. At that time there were no tanning beds so you had to rely on the scant amount of northeast Ohio’s sunlight that you could soak up in the summertime. 

Even with that limitation, I got countless sunburns working my way into a tan.  Nobody used any sunblock in the 60′s and 70′s.  Now, in my late 50′s, I wonder how many fine lines or wrinkles I could have avoided if I would have stayed out of the sun more. 

Luckily, I haven’t had any incidence of skin cancer but I did not have the option of a tanning bed or a year round tan.  Today’s teenagers are no different, as they are concerned with how cute and tan they look today with no regard to the damage they are doing to their skin later on. 

For teenagers, having the option of tanning beds, is extremely hazardous to their health.  It’s of more concern than just extra fine lines and wrinkles at a younger age.  Dermatologists are seeing a remarkably higher rate of skin cancer occurrence at very early ages,in girls as young as their teens and twenties. 

A high rate of skin cancer used to be primarily a disease of older men and now it’s becoming prevalent in young women.  Because of this trend, the FDA is pushing for tighter restrictions on the use of tanning beds for people under the age of 18 and would like to eventually make that a ban for people under 18 years old. 

A recent report by WHO, the World Health Organization, connected the use of tanning beds to a spike in the incidence of skin cancer.  According to their results, the occurrence of the most deadly form of skin cancer is 75% more likely in individuals that used tanning beds in their teens and early 20′s.  More reason to use a great self tanner.

Some states are starting to require parental consent at the present time for tanners under the age of 18.  The FDA is considering adding bolder warning labels to the tanning beds.

The Indoor Tanning Association has countered with the health benefits of Vitamin D absorption from the sunlamps to which their opponents argued that Vitamin D could be derived from nutritional supplements.

Fair skinned people are more prone to skin cancer as they’re more apt to sunburn before tanning.  Sunburns at an early age are linked to a higher incidence of melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer.

Body Wrap for Cellulite : My First Experience

So, I had my first experience with an herbal body wrap that is designed to reduce cellulite, contour your problem areas by helping to “pull them in” and minimize their size, while simultaneoulsy streamlining the lumps and bumps that go with excess fat, and tone the skin

I found this place near where I live in Ohio via the infamous “Groupon”, which by the way is a fantastic way to try out local businesses without the threat of wasting a lot of money if you simply don’t care for their product or service.  Since they offer deep, deep discounts on services, food and products, I got a body wrap package that’s normally a $110 value for $20.

With this package, I got an herbal therapy body wrap, as well as a sea clay facial wrap.  This was my very first experience, and I had always wanted to try a professional body wrap. It was a very pleasant and easy experience.

The most surprising part of the experience was the surge in energy I felt all day long after I got the wrap.  I wasn’t sure if this was just psychosomatic or not, but I definitely felt a lot more “pep” in my step.

Here’s how the process went the first time.  I will keep you filled in on my ultimate results once I complete the whole package that I ended up purchasing, which was ten wraps.  But I wanted first to tell you about the first one. 

It started with me being led back to a small room, one of their wrap rooms, where I got down to undies and bra and had a nice warm pair of socks as well as a new pair of bra and panties since you will get them wet in the wrap.

The woman who did my wrap was great. She was warm and friendly and very knowledgeable. She told me that I could expect to see some results after about wrap four, but I may see some immeidate inch loss from the first one.  She told me to drink tons of water over the next three days, which was the period of time where my body would likely flush out the most toxins from the fat cells.

She proceeded to warp me, midriff to shins, in warm, slightly wet bandage-like wraps.  I didn’t get cold at all like I thought I would because she was really fast.  The wraps had some visible herbs on them, and had a pleasant, earthy smell to them.

I then was put in a warm sauna suit, and led to a dark, warm room and laid on a cot for forty five minutes.  I then had the wrap taken off by the same woman, who then measured me again. She said I lost abotu a 1/4 inch from each arm (another of my target areas) and a little from each thigh as well. 

I’m really looking forward to the results from the series I purchased. I booked a few more a week apart from eachother, so I will keep you posted after my fourth one and let you know what kind of results I get! 

I mostly want to sculpt my thighs, arms and belly and butt, and get rid of the cellulite on my thighs and butt.

Jergens “Natural Glow Express” Review

One thing that I feel can take years off of anyone’s face, and make anyone’s facial skin look much healthier and more toned, is a good self-tan.  Of course, your face is the one body part you really want to try to keep sheltered from UV light, so the only way I ever have color on my face is from UV light that happened to penetrate my multiple layers of natural SPF, or by putting self tanner on my face.

The latter is my favorite, because unlike the sun, it doesn’t dry out my face, give me age spots or prematurely age my skin (even more) than it has at this point.  I’ve tried a variety of self tanners on my face, but some of them simply don’t work well on the face because they don’t come out evenly enough.

I also don’t  like tinted self tanners on my face, because they tend to leave streaks and clumps when they dry of darkly caramel colored messiness.  I was shopping for a new self tanner to use on my face, and came across a small bottle of Jergens Natural Glow Express, which is a natural self tanner that gives your face a couple shades’ darker color within a very short time frame.

It actually started to tan my face about one hour after application, which was quicker than most self tanners, probably due to a higher concentration of the active ingredient in self tanners, DHA.  As you may know if you’ve used self tanner, DHA is a natural substance that is derived from sugar which interacts with oxygen and turns your skin a deeper color of brown over time.

As far as we know, DHA is nontoxic, and if you buy a good formula, it won’t turn your skin orange like a lot of earlier versions of self tanner.

I bought the Jergens Natural Glow Express formula in the formula for medium to tan skin tones since I wanted a more dramatic difference.  I applied it, like I normally do, with a makeup sponge so that I don’t have to wash my hands afterwards, and made sure I blended and contoured on my face so that I wouldn’t have streaks or an uneven color.

Usually, when I’m using a new self tanner that I haven’t had experience with before, I also add a bit of moisturizer into the mix so that it doesn’t turn out too dark.  As the day progressed, I noticed a nice, deep tone start to take shaped, and to my relief, I had no streaking or discolorations anywhere.

This is not a tinted formula either, which I love for use on my face.

Women Fall for Self Tanning Argument at Anti Skin Cancer Hand Out

Recently, there was a handout at a beach of several different beauty related items, but this handout was really a well disguised effort at communicating the dangers of sunbathing to people – mostly women. The whole trick part was that these women who were receiving tanning lotions with SPF and self tanners didn’t know that they were being subliminally disuaded from bathing in the sun.

They found that women who were able to tan via artificial means, and safely via a self tanner, were actually more likely to spend less time in the sun. So vanity really is at work when it comes to the reasons for sunbathing. DUH as if we didn’t already know that one!

As everyone knows by now, sunbathing, especially during peak sun strength times and in the direct sun, and for a long time, can be dangerous and push your skin to develop abnormal cell growth, or skin cancer. Especially if you do not take in enought antioxidants every day to kind of build up your “internal sunscreen”.

Yup, that’s right, it’s not just your genetic makeup and your heritage that can make is easier for your to burn or tan, it’s also your diet. Researchers are finding more and more that your natural tolerance for sun is affected by the food you eat, particularly by certain types of antioxidants. For example, it was found that daily tomato intake (for it’s lycopene) is extremely beneficial for preventing sunburn and giving your skin more of a leg up when it comes to internal sun protection.

Also, there is a lot more compelling and definitive research coming out that total sun avoidance is not good for your health. Why? Well, because it effects your vitamin D levels, and vitamin D plays a vital role in keeping cells healthy and preventing them from dividing irregularly and becoming abnormal – as in cancerous.

That’s right, the total avoidance of the sun that used to be preached is being rethought. But even more important perhaps is that you don’t overexpose yourself, as this can lead to cancer – and burning is still a HUGE no no.