Best Self Tanner Ever!

Here's a quote from the site:

Sun Laboratories "Patent Pending" Self Tanning Aerosol Spray Can is revolutionizing the self tanning industry. Our Self Tanning Spray allows you to easily apply self tanning liquid evenly all over your body without ever having to rub it in. Simply spray self tanning liquid on and it dries within a minute. This smooth, dark liquid spray will give you a beautiful golden tan instantly that lasts five to seven days. Now you can get that same beautiful tan that you get in professional spray booths but in the privacy of your own home and at a fraction of the cost.

Go to this site to buy it online: http://sunlaboratories.com/ or it may be available at a beauty supply store near you. (Although I know that Sally's does not carry it.) I first bought this self-tanner at an aesthetics conference about 4 years ago and I love it! I have let my sister and sister-in-law try it out and the color looked great on them too. Also, everytime I apply it, someone will compliment my tan. It has a greenish undertone that seems to even out the orange look that can occur with self-tanners. It costs $29.95, but once you buy it, they send you two for one offers once a month if they have your email address.

Stila wants you to be beautiful...

This post is just about how much I LOVE the make-up line Stila. Here's the link to Stila Cosmetics website.

Stila, pronounced "STEE-la" was founded by celebrity make-up artist Jeanine Lobell in 1994, and is now owned by Estee Lauder. They have very cute girly packaging, which I will admit first attracted me to them when I was oh, maybe 16. I first tried them out by buying a shimmer cream that had been recommended in a fashion magazine. Over the last 14 years, I have used eye shadows, eye liners, lip glosses, lip stains, etc made by Stila and I have never been disappointed. Here's the thing about Stila. Everything is made to enhance your natural beauty. They make georgous shimmery, complimentary creations in shades of cream, taupe, browns, and grays, with a few funky colors thrown in (but not so much, its not Mac!).

My favorite eye color is Wheat, a gorgeous basic that looks good on everyone I've tried it on.

I have also used their lip stain for years, and I love it. I drink water all day long, so gloss never stays put. But I apply this stain and keep a nice color for hours. Cherry Crush is my latest favorite.

I am lusting after this right now. Here's the product description:

A must-have for a day at the beach, a tropical holiday or anytime you show a little skin. The dry oil formula adds a gorgeous natural looking tint with a hint of glistening shimmer. It's formulated with macadamia and jojoba nut, sandalwood and barley extracts for fabulous moisturization.
To get the red carpet after sun glow, shake bottle well, and spray 2 or 3 pumps into palm of your hands to apply and blend with fingers. Let it dry before putting on your perfect outfit.

Anyway, it is carried at Sephora and Ulta, unfortunately no longer at department stores. (and nowhere in Utah anymore, more's the pity for my Ut girls, but order online, or come visit me)

Vitamin A for the Masses

First off, as an esthetician, I have always worked with high caliber product lines. There are so many really great products that are only available through a spa or doctor's office. And I'm not even going to touch what prescribed products can do for you. However, I am starting this blog as a way to help out the girls (and some guys) I know who are interested in their skin-care but probably aren't going to invest in some really expensive products.

One of the most important steps to good long-term skin care is exfoliation. One pretty standard weapon in the arsenal is topical Vitamin A, known as retinol. I have used it and recommended it often to clients, using a variety of brands. However, my skin is extremely sensitive and retinol usually comes in some pretty harsh doses. If your skin is pretty hardy and you want quicker results, you are not going to want to use an over-the-counter product, and certainly not one you can buy at the grocery store. That said, if you are simply not going to pay more, see a doctor, or your skin is sensitive, then this recommendation is for you.

I recently bought the Neutrogena Healthy Skin, deep wrinkle cream which has apparently less than .2% retinol. This is very mild, but in my experience, pretty effective. In fact, it is still too strong to use daily for my skin. Here is a more clinical description of dosage and possible side-effects from FutureDerm.com:

According to experts cited in this article, retinol should be used at night only, in small quantity (a pea-size amount to make a thin layer on your face) after cleansing, and NOT in conjunction with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). Retinol also should be used in conjunction with sunscreen every morning, as retinoids/retinol make your skin more photosensitive (sensitive to the sun). Finally, retinol may cause redness, flaking/peeling, and possibly stinging at first, and most experts recommend using retinol products once every 2-3 nights at first for the first 2-3 weeks. The negative effects should be short-term as the skin acclimates to retinol, but if they worsen, the product may not be right for your skin. If ever in question, ask your dermatologist!

And here is another recommendation from someone other than me:

According to dermatologist Dr. Mary Lupo in the October 2007 issue of Allure magazine: “With regular use, Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream improves skin’s brightness, color, and texture, and softens existing lines and crepiness. If you start using it in your twenties, before you see these changes, you could push them off further.”