by Debi G | Dec 11, 2016
It’s no secret that growing older can leave telltale signs on our skin (from age spots to crow’s feet and expression lines). But did you know that aging isn’t easy on eyelashes either?
Over a lifetime, lashes undergo serious changes of their own. The lash hair’s natural cycle shortens, meaning we start shedding eyelashes more often than we’d like. Eventually, the fabulous fringe that once framed our eyes becomes thinner and more brittle.
What if we gave our eyelashes the same care and attention as our skin? The reality is that you can get lush, longer-looking lashes by adding a simple step to your nightly skincare routine: R+F Lash Boost, the eyelash conditioning serum that moisturizes, nourishes and protects.
A journey into the lash lab reveals several key ingredients hard at work while you get your beauty sleep:
- Panthenol conditions lashes by attracting and maintaining essential moisture. This goes a long way toward promoting lash flexibility and resilience.
- Peptides also play a prominent role in Lash Boost. A combination of Octapeptides, Copper Tripeptides and Polypeptides enhance durability, protect against breakage and support more voluminous-looking eyelashes.
- Last, but definitely not least, are Biotin and Keratin, two powerful protein-enhancers used in hair care. Together, these nourishing agents help protect against future damage (like the pulling and tugging that can result from our daily beauty routines).
This Multi-Med Therapy ingredient approach is at the heart of our R+F Lash Boost formula. After four weeks of nightly use, you can experience darker-looking, fuller-looking lashes. In eight weeks, you’ll be wondering whether you need mascara at all.
Comment below and share these eyelash insights with a friend.
by Debi G | Dec 11, 2016
As your calendar fills up with holiday celebrations and family gatherings galore, it’s time to start the countdown to a younger-looking you. Remember, great-looking skin doesn’t happen overnight—even when it’s on the top of your wish list.
Here’s our guide get your skin glowing and party-ready for the holidays.
4 weeks out, the eyes have it. It may feel like you have all the time in the world; in reality, you’ll want to focus on your eyes a month ahead of any big event. If wrinkles are putting a kink in your skincare story (crow’s feet, anyone?), try REDEFINE Acute Care. This at-home cosmetic alternative features line-defying Hyaluronic Acid and peptides to visibly reduce expression lines with 10 uses over 4 weeks.
Planning to leave your eyelash routine to the last minute? Think again. Having lush, longer-looking, fuller-looking lashes that are 100% yours is possible—as long as you give yourself a head start. Apply R+F Lash Boost eyelash conditioning serum nightly, and in 4 weeks you’ll be wondering if you need mascara at all. Talk about a beauty (and confidence) boost!
3 weeks out, face the big picture. Whether you are tackling acne, sensitivity, wrinkles or stubborn dark spots, it’s important to follow a daily skincare regimen for your specific skin concerns. If you’re already on a journey to healthy-looking skin and are seeing positive results—now is not the time to quit. You may no longer notice the rapid progress you once did, but your skin benefits from consistent care. Even if your holiday schedule gets hectic, don’t let your skincare routine follow suit.
2 weeks out, lock in on the lips. Perfecting your pucker often involves more than a dash of lipstick as you’re running out the door. When it comes to lips, time and the environment take their toll in a profound way. Use these last 2 weeks to reclaim a youthful look for your lips with REDEFINE Lip Renewing Serum, featuring peptides and antioxidants to help smooth lip texture and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Then say, hello mistletoe!
1 week out, go for the glow. Exfoliation is all about kicking out old, dulling skin cells to allow younger, more vibrant cells to surface. Using an exfoliating body scrub is the perfect skincare step to take the week before your grand entrance at the party. Follow up with moisturizer, and then try a sunless tan formula to give your skin a sun-kissed glow the healthy way.
Party day. You’ve done all the daily work using your regimen, and zeroed in on your eyes, lips and overall radiance. Today it’s all about a flawless finish with ENHANCEMENTS Mineral Peptides, a lightweight powder to even skin tone and diffuse visible redness for a more luminous look. Just slip on the perfect black dress, and your party prep is complete!
Here’s to a holiday season filled with great-looking skin and selfie-confidence.
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by Debi G | Jul 25, 2016
Have you thought about this???
We’re not used to living without our smartphones, tablets and laptops for any amount of time—whether we stay indoors or go out.
But, have you ever considered that using your device outdoors could have serious consequences for your skin? Think of those old-fashioned, foil tanning reflectors to envision how screens can reflect the sun onto your face, neck and under your chin—the vulnerable spots that might not be shielded by a hat or sunscreen.
Researchers at the University of New Mexico wondered about this UV exposure from screens in natural sunlight and how it might increase cumulative UV exposure over a lifetime. As reported in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (September 2015), they found that when a smartphone was held at close range, UV exposure increased by 36 percent!!!
Wherever you choose to spend your days, limiting your sun exposure (or avoiding it altogether) is the most effective preventative measure to protect your skin from sun damage and aging.
If you must chat, tweet or surf the internet outside, always apply a broad spectrum sunscreen, like REDEFINE Triple Defense Treatment SPF 30, or Reverse #4 so you don’t get “burned” by your smart devices. To achieve a golden glow year round without catching any UV rays while you text, try ESSENTIALS Foaming Sunless Tan. We’ve got you covered!
Be sun smart—especially if you spend a lot of screen time outdoors.
by Debi G | Jun 10, 2016
The hair, the makeup, the dress…your skin? That’s right, whether you’re the bride-to-be, a bridesmaid or a VIP guest, you want your skin to be as smooth and flawless as the wedding. But how do you get your complexion to say “I do” for the big day too?
Achieving a radiant, wedding-worthy complexion can be a time investment, so start as early as you can. Introduce new skincare, from cleansers to makeup to sunless tanners, no less than a month before the date, so you can eliminate any products that trigger even the slightest irritation.
If you don’t have any complex skincare concerns, and you want smoother, softer, more even-looking skin—exfoliation is one of the safest, simplest ways to get your skin glowing. Even the best makeup won’t hide the look of uneven skin texture, so consider ENHANCEMENTS Micro-Dermabrasion Paste, which uses sugar and salt to gently exfoliate. You can start using it up to one week before the wedding to remove old, built-up skin cells and allow younger, more vibrant cells to appear on the surface—and skin looks brighter after just one use.
Don’t exfoliate if you have a skin concern like adult acne. Instead, consider the UNBLEMISH Regimen, which targets blemishes and works to prevent future breakouts. If you’ve developed brown spots from sun exposure or hyperpigmentation, the REVERSE Regimen helps to visually brighten and even skin tone. (You might even get away with wearing less makeup.) When it comes to skincare, the most impressive results are seen over time, so plan accordingly. If the event is less than a month away, our cardinal rule is to only stick with products that are currently compatible (or are extremely gentle) with your skin.
What should you avoid? In the last four weeks, don’t even consider in-office dermatological procedures (like chemical peels or laser treatments). Resist any last-minute temptations to try new products or treatments. Keep up your natural glow by staying hydrated and moisturizing skin. Last-minute facials (except gentle exfoliation) are off limits, as are touching, picking or squeezing, which can all irritate skin. Finally, avoid unnecessary stress and over-cleansing which can cause breakouts.
If it’s an outdoor wedding, wear a wide-brimmed hat (unless you’re the bride) and apply your sunscreen (try it in advance so you can find a formula that works with your makeup).
Ultimately, through thick and thin, your skin is with you for life—so be good to it always.
by Debi G | May 26, 2016
Our modern-day “love affair” with the suntan began nearly a century ago as a status symbol of leisure, wealth and beauty. But today, with so much knowledge of the sun’s power to harm and prematurely age skin, we’re turning to safer, sunless alternatives, and embracing the ultimate answer to this beauty paradox—protection and prevention with broad spectrum sunscreen.
But did you know not all sunscreens are created equal? Understanding how they work is key. May is Melanoma Awareness Month, so now is the perfect time to boost your sunscreen smarts:
- Use a broad spectrum sunscreen. It blocks both types of the sun’s rays: UVB (responsible for sunburns) and UVA rays (the deep, aging kind) from penetrating skin.
- Double the SPF doesn’t equal double protection. The SPF number refers to the sunscreen’s ability to block out UVB rays only. When applied as directed, SPF 15 blocks 93% of UVB rays, SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays and SPF 50 blocks about 99% of UVB rays.
- Apply liberally every two hours. To achieve the full SPF benefit, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends using one ounce (a shot glassful) of sunscreen on your body and one teaspoonful (size of a quarter) on your face. If applied too thinly, an SPF 80 can act like an SPF 3.
- Ingredients matter. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are active ingredients in mineral-based sunscreens, like SOOTHE Mineral Sunscreen, which physically block both UVB and UVA rays and are gentle enough for sensitive skin. Acknowledged by experts and the FDA, chemical blockers (like avobenzone) absorb well into skin and offer excellent protection against UVA rays.
- Check the expiration date. Fresh ingredients make sunscreen more effective. Keep your bottle in the shade and avoid leaving it in a hot car, as excessive heat can break down the active ingredients.
- Apply rain or shine. While UVB rays are at their peak midday, UVA rays are present from sunrise to sunset and can penetrate your skin even on cloudy days—who knew? We recommend applying broad-spectrum sunscreen every morning, 15-30 minutes before heading outside.
Get to know your ideal sunscreen and combine it with other sun protection measures to stay ahead of melanoma. Wear a broad-brimmed hat and protective clothing when you step out of the shade. Even better, stay out of the sun altogether and use ESSENTIALS Foaming Sunless Tan for a healthy, natural-looking glow—and show off your sun savvy.
You are beautiful and you are worth it!!!
