Green Peels-Worth the Cost

One of the best skin treatments I did pre-wedding is a Green Peel. This is an all-natural peel versus the more common chemical ones that can have harsh ingredients.

Courtesy: Dr. Schrammek

The Green Peel is made up natural plant ingredients, and when rubbed into your skin, causes it to flake and peel off in about 4-5 days. The result is beautiful skin and a perfect non-surgical option. This peel is especially great for acne-prone people because this helps clear up zits and minimizes pores. It also helps get rid of scars, aged and sun-damaged skin.

When you first get the peel done, your skin will look great. It looks like you've spent a day at the beach, and you'll look a little sunburned. For the next several days, your skin will flake off, and about 5 days after you get the peel, you'll go back into your esthetician to get a facial that helps remove any remaining peeling skin. Once you get the facial, your skin will look brighter, healthier and younger looking. I got two peels done before the wedding. (I would usually schedule this for a Thursday so the worst peeling happened over the weekend and I could hide out.)

Along with the facial 5 days later (which is included in the cost) you get some very cool products including a blemish balm that helps cover any acne or problem spots, you get a cooling lotion and also a rockin' toner. It's the most refreshing toner I've ever used and makes my skin feel great!

Green peels (like anything else) aren't cheap, usually a couple hundred dollars, but the results from mine lasted about a year.

Good luck and keep looking beautiful!




Update to Skin Effects Line

After I blogged about the awesomeness of the Skin Effects line at CVS, particularly the Deep Wrinkle Eraser Pen, that thing is no where to be found. Sorry to all of you who went to CVS, but the product appears sold out in stores and online. I'm so sad! I'm sure it sold out because it totally rocks.

Luckily, I did find a few on Ebay last night, so I just ordered one. I've never ordered skin care products from Ebay, but I'm desperate! I'll let you know how it goes. It's supposed to be brand new and still in the box, so keep your fingers crossed. 

Good luck and keep looking beautiful!

Have you tried Bare Minerals foundation?

When I worked in television news, a viewer who saw me without make-up on told me, "Don't worry honey, I'm not a natural beauty either." I laughed and really wasn't all that mad because she's kind of right. With pale skin, freckles and occasional acne, I need make-up in the worst way.

Because I had to wear loads of foundation during my career, I've tried just about every brand. Most made me shiny, too done up looking or settled into my wrinkles, making me look older than I am. But recently I tried a new kind, Bare Minerals from the company Bare Escentuals, and I'm in love.

This foundation is amazing. It's a 3-part system where you first apply the basic foundation, then a bronzer and you finish with a product called mineral veil, which is a finishing powder. First of all, the coverage is phenomenal. You'll be amazed by how well this product covers scars, discoloration and acne. Secondly, it looks super natural, and the bronzer is so great! When I put it on, I suddenly look like I just spent a week in Jamaica. (But don't have to worry about skin damage or maxed out credit cards.)

Another bonus: the brushes they give you in this kit are the best I've ever owned (sorry MAC.) I use them for my blush and touch-up powder throughout the day. They are so soft!

As you can guess, I highly recommend Bare Minerals. You can get a start-up kit from Sephora for $60. I went with the "Fair" collection, but "Light" probably would have worked too. If you're not sure what shade to get, you can visit a Sephora or Ulta store near you to try out the colors in person.

Good luck and keep looking beautiful! 

Skin Effects Line is Skin-errific!

One of my favorite products I use daily to help fill in wrinkles is the "Skin Effects Instant Deep Wrinkle Eraser" pen.

This little pen is great...you pump out a little product and rub it gently under your eyes. It's a thick cream that fills in your crow's feet and instantly makes them look smoother and less defined. (You could also use this on your forehead or frown lines.) It's not a permanent fix, but it's great so that your make-up doesn't settle into your lines, making them looking deeper than they are.

This line of products was developed by a Harvard-educated dermatologist, and I've loved everything I've tried so far. He has great glycolic cream cleansers and facial primers.

The Skin Effects line is only available at CVS locations, but you can also order them online. Sadly, it looks like this pen is out of stock right now, but keep an eye out (pun intended) for when it's back. You love this product, and one pen lasts for about a year.

Good luck and keep looking beautiful!