Body Shoppe

Poll: What is Your Boudoir Style?

D-Lee — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 07:46:32 PST

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

Generation Diva

D-Lee — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:20:57 PST

How our obsession with beauty is changing our kids

There's a scene in "Toddlers & Tiaras," the TLC reality series, where 2-year-old Marleigh is perched in front of a mirror, smothering her face with blush and lipstick. She giggles as her mother attempts to hold the squealing toddler still, lathering her legs with self-tanner. "Marleigh loves to get tan," her mom says, as the girl presses her face against the mirror.
Marleigh is one of many pageant girls on the show, egged on by obsessive mothers who train their tots to strut and swagger, flip their hair and pout their lips. I watch, mesmerized by the freakishness of it all, but wonder how different Marleigh is from average girls all across America. On a recent Sunday in Brooklyn, I stumble into a spa that brands itself for the 0 to 12 set, full of tweens getting facialed and glossed, hands and feet outstretched for manis and pedis. "The girls just love it," says Daria Einhorn, the 21-year-old spa owner, who was inspired by watching her 5-year-old niece play with toy beauty kits.

Sounds extreme? Maybe. But this, my friends, is the new normal: a generation that primps and dyes and pulls and shapes, younger and with more vigor. Girls today are salon vets before they enter elementary school. Forget having mom trim your bangs, fourth graders are in the market for lush $50 haircuts; by the time they hit high school, $150 highlights are standard. Five-year-olds have spa days and pedicure parties. And instead of shaving their legs the old-fashioned way-with a 99-cent drugstore razor-teens get laser hair removal, the most common cosmetic procedure of that age group. If these trends continue, by the time your tween hits the Botox years, she'll have spent thousands on the beauty treatments once reserved for the "Beverly Hills, 90210" set, not junior highs in Madison, Wis.
Reared on reality TV and celebrity makeovers, girls as young as Marleigh are using beauty products earlier, spending more and still feeling worse about themselves. Four years ago, a survey by the NPD Group showed that, on average, women began using beauty products at 17. Today, the average is 13-and that's got to be an overstatement. According to market-research firm Experian, 43 percent of 6- to 9-year-olds are already using lipstick or lip gloss; 38 percent use hairstyling products; and 12 percent use other cosmetics. And the level of interest is making the girls of "Toddlers & Tiaras" look ordinary. "My daughter is 8, and she's like, so into this stuff it's unbelievable," says Anna Solomon, a Brooklyn social worker. "From the clothes to the hair to the nails, school is like No. 10 on the list of priorities."

Much has been made of the oversexualization of today's tweens. But what hasn't been discussed is what we might call their "diva-ization"-before they even hit the tween years. Consider this: according to a NEWSWEEK examination of the most common beauty trends, by the time your 10-year-old is 50, she'll have spent nearly $300,000 on just her hair and face. It's not that women haven't always been slaves to their appearance; as Yeats wrote, "To be born woman is to know … that we must labour to be beautiful." But today's girls are getting caught up in the beauty maintenance game at ages when they should be learning how to read-and long before their beauty needs enhancing. Twenty years ago, a second grader might have played clumsily with her mother's lipstick, but she probably didn't insist on carrying her own lip gloss to school.
New Methods, Old MessageWhy are this generation's standards different? To start, this is a group that's grown up on pop culture that screams, again and again, that everything, everything, is a candidate for upgrading. These girls are maturing in an age when older women are taking ever more extreme measures, from Botox to liposuction, to stay sexually competitive. They've watched bodies transformed on "Extreme Makeover"; faces taken apart and pieced back together on "I Want a Famous Face." They compare themselves to the overly airbrushed models in celebrity and women's magazines, and learn about makeup from the girls of "Toddlers & Tiaras," or the show's WEtv competitor, "Little Miss Perfect." And while we might make fun of the spoiled teens on MTV's "My Super Sweet 16," these shows raise the bar for what's considered over the top.
A combination of new technology and the Web, is responsible-at least in part-for this transformation in attitudes. Ads for the latest fashions, makeup tips and grooming products are circulated with a speed and fury unique to this millennium-on millions of ads, message boards and Facebook pages. Digital cameras come complete with retouching options, and anyone can learn how to use Photoshop to blend and tighten and thin. It's been estimated that girls 11 to 14 are subjected to some 500 advertisements a day-the majority of them nipped, tucked and airbrushed to perfection. And, according to a University of Minnesota study, staring at those airbrushed images from just one to three minutes can have a negative impact on girls' self-esteem. "None of this existed when I was growing up, and now it's just like, in your face," says Solomon, 30. "Kids aren't exempt just because they're young."

What that means for kids in the long term is effort and money washed down the drain each night, along with the remnants of a painted face. It's constant, and exhausting. I should know: at 27, my daily maintenance regimen takes at least an hour, and I own enough products to fill a large closet, not to mention a savings account. I have three shades of tanning lotion and $130 Crème de La Mer face cream I use so sparingly it defeats the purpose of having it, and 34-I counted this morning-varieties of lip balm, gloss and tint. I have hair wax and cream, a balm that's made of latex, surf spray for when I want that weathered look, and grooming cream to get rid of it. And I haven't even started to look at the anti-aging products yet.
This is what the 11-year-olds of the world have to look forward to-times 10. Eight- to 12-year-olds in this country already spend more than $40 million a month on beauty products, and teens spend another $100 million, according the NPD Group. This trend seems unaffected by the tanking economy: cosmetic surgery procedures dipped slightly last year, but cosmetics sales have increased between 1 and 46 percent, depending on the product, according to the Nielsen Co.
Forever Out of ReachThere's no evidence to prove that women who start primping early will primp more as they get older, but it's a safe assumption that they won't slow down. And what that means, say psychologists, is the evolution of a beauty standard that's becoming harder to achieve. New statistics from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery show that cosmetic- surgery procedures performed on those 18 and younger have nearly doubled over the past decade. Dr. Alan Gold, the society's president, says that nearly 14 percent of Botox injections are given in the 19 to 34 age group-and while his trade group doesn't break down those ages any more specifically, he's seen a significant increase in the younger end of that group, seeking treatments as preventative. "I think what we've done is level the playing field, in that someone who may not have had great exposure to these things before-say, on a farm in Iowa-has the same options available to them," says Gold, who runs a private practice in Great Neck, N.Y. "Thomas Friedman has written how the world is flat economically. Well, it's getting flatter in terms of aging and appearance, too."
But if the world is flat, and impossible standards have become ubiquitous, can a person ever be satisfied with the way they look? In Susie Orbach's new book, "Bodies," the former therapist to Princess Diana argues that good looks and peak fitness are no longer a biological gift, but a ceaseless pursuit. And obsession at an early age, she says, fosters a belief that these are essential components of who we are-not, as she puts it, "lovely add-ons." "It primes little girls to think they should diet and dream about the cosmetic-surgery options available to them, and it makes body the primary place for self-identity."
The body, of course, cannot carry the weight of that-and these days, body dissatisfaction begins in grammar school. According to a 2004 study by the Dove Real Beauty campaign, 42 percent of first- to third-grade girls want to be thinner, while 81 percent of 10-year-olds are afraid of getting fat. "When you have tweens putting on firming cream"-as was revealed by 1 percent of girls in an NPD study-"it's clear they're looking for imaginary flaws," says Harvard psychologist Nancy Etcoff.

Which can lead to very real consequences-and a hefty debt. A lifetime of manis and pedis could cover four years at a public university; hair and face treatments would pay for a private college. "I think it's a very interesting time for girls, in that what we all grew up believing-that you have to play the hand you're dealt-is no longer true," says screenwriter Nora Ephron, who has written often on women and beauty. "In some sense, you really can go out and buy yourself a better face and a different body."
If tweens can be convinced they need to spend to perfect their already youthful skin, it's hard to imagine what they'll believe at 40. And with all the time they'll spend thinking about it, it's even harder to imagine all they're missing along the way.

newsweek.com

5 Easy Ways to Plump Lips

D-Lee — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 16:45:43 PST

Lips often grow thin and lose color over the years, and pesky little lip lines can add years to your face. But you don’t have to be a celebrity to get a sensuous, shapely pucker. Try these 5 tips to help you fill out your pout, smooth chapped skin, and fake a natural youthful look.

Use a Nightly Lip Rejuvenator
Apply a treatment product made with peptides and hyaluronic acid, ingredients that plump lips and soften lines. Try Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle Lip $30 at sephora.com

Exfoliate with a Washcloth
Before putting on lip color, lightly run a damp washcloth over lips. This increases circulation to boost fullness and provides a smooth canvas for color to adhere to.

Define Your Lips
Line the outer edge of your lips first, then fill in completely. "This creates a barrier that accentuates fullness and reduces lipstick bleeding," says NYC celebrity makeup artist Laura Geller. Try a plumping liner like Lip- Fusion Micro-Injected Collagen Lip Plumping Pencil $28 at fusionbeauty.com or sephora.com with collagen microspheres to add volume. For a natural effect, choose a clear or skin tone or one that's the same shade as your lip color.

Opt for a Soft Pink Gloss
This universally flattering hue and shiny, moisturizing formula reflect the most light, so lips look bigger. For best results, pick a plumping version, which is made with ingredients derived from menthol that slightly swell lips for a few hours. Try L'Oreal Paris Infallible Never Fail Plumping Gloss $10 at drugstores.

Pick a Balm with SPF
Use a balm with a built-in SPF of at least 30 before putting on gloss and liner; reapply when touching up lip color. UVA rays can degrade collagen, making lips look thinner.

Adult Acne or Rosacea?

Cherlene — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:33:33 PST

Many people wrongly assume that anyone past puberty shouldn't get pimples. Those of us who still have acne as adults understand that this is not the case. Acne can occur at almost any age, and some people don't have skin problems until their 20s, 30s, or even later.

This condition in adults can have a number of causes. Some people naturally produce more oil in their faces, and therefore are more likely to suffer from acne problems. Poor sanitation sometimes plays a role, as do bacterial problems in some people. Rosacea is a condition confused with common acne in older people. This condition is frequently referred to as a form of acne. Rosacea causes reddening and swelling of the face, and other complications.

ACNE CAUSES
The human body is covered with pores or follicles. When these follicles become clogged with oil or sebum they can act as a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. The bacteria, acne vulgaris, causes infected lesions called comedones or zits to appear.
Throughout the last few decades, health care providers and researchers have sought for a clear understanding of what causes these follicles to become clogged with sebum. Though no single thing can cause acne, several contributing factors play a role in acne development.

Acne and Hormones
Many people suffer from acne caused by hormones called androgens. These androgens can stimulate sebum production and can lead to acne breakouts. Teenagers often experience an increase in acne around the time of puberty due to an increase in these hormone levels; but hormone related acne is not limited to teenagers. Many adults continue to have an overproduction of androgens and therefore a continued problem with acne. This type of hormone related acne may be manifested by an increase in breakouts around the time of menstruation.

Poor Hygiene and Pimples
Although many breakouts can not be cured by face washing alone, a proper hygiene routine can not be overlooked in the battle against acne. Once pores are clogged with sebum, it is Acne Vulgaris bacteria that causes the actual infected zits. If a person does not wash their face properly, dirt and bacteria can infect the clogged pores and cause acne. Likewise, if a person washes their face too much the scrubbing and constant irritation of washing can irritate the pores and make them more prone to infection.

Diet and Acne
For years it was believed that eating greasy or fatty foods could cause acne breakouts. Though it is doubtful that diet alone can cause acne, a balanced diet with adequate fruit and vegetable intake will increase the overall health of all body systems - skin included. Drinking 8 glasses of water each day will also help the skin to stay well hydrated and will increase its resilience against potentially infective bacteria.

Rosacea
This skin condition is frequently confused with acne in adults. However, the causes of these two conditions are quite different. Acne usually involves clogged pores and follicles, while rosacea is thought to be caused by a problem with blood vessels under the skin. It causes the skin on the face to appear red, bumpy, and irritated. Some people get pimples or pustules (a small blister-like bump) on their faces. In severe or prolonged cases, it can cause skin to become thick and rough. This condition can also lead to an enlarged, irritated, and bulbous nose. It can also affect the eyes and eyelids of patients, causing significant discomfort.

How to Treat Rosacea
Doctors sometimes prescribe oral or topical antibiotics, although their effectiveness is unclear. The antibiotics may help clear up pustules and pimples associated with Rosacea, but some people doubt their effect on the overall reddening. Working with a specialist, such as a dermatologist, is the best way to figure out the right treatment for you. There are new treatments coming out all the time. Because there are millions of Americans who have this condition, you can be sure that drug companies will invest heavily in research to find new treatments and hopefully a cure.

Prevention
One of the most important steps you can take is to search for "triggers" that cause your rosacea to flare up or worsen. People report that alcohol, too much sunlight, and spicy foods are some things that can trigger a flare-up. Whenever your rosacea becomes troublesome, write down the date, and any recent activities that could have caused it. Stay away from skin products with perfumes and dyes. Some people report that using a concealer make-up with a green tint is an effective way to reduce the redness. However, be careful about using any products on irritated skin, and talk to your Doctor or dermatologist before trying anything on your own.

Pimples - To Pop or Not To Pop
That is the question that many of us face. Popping a zit, or pimple, can be beneficial in some cases. However, it frequently makes the problem worse. Pimples that are below the skin's surface should never be popped or prodded at. Trying to pop this kind of zit will almost always make things worse, and can lead to scarring.

You really should never pop a pimple that is under your skin, especially those that are painful. They will heal on their own eventually, and may benefit from topical acne medications. However, you can't "pop" a pimple like this. There is a layer of healthy skin you literally have to destroy to get to the actual pimple.

White heads, or pimples that are clearly visible on the surface, can sometimes be removed safely. If you decide to pop one of these, make sure you wash your face and hands very well before doing so. This will help prevent infection. You should realize that by popping a zit, you risk scarring or even infection. If done properly, neither should happen. However, it is important to consider the possible downside.

www.adultacne.org

8 Must Have Beauty Gadgets!

D-Lee — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 09:56:21 PST

If you're like me, you have about a hundred beauty
products and gadgets in your bathroom vanity -
yellow MAC eyeliner anyone?

Thanks to modern technology we can do so many more
beauty procedures at home rather than dolling out
the moola to the dermatologist or the plastic surgeon.

Here are 8 high tech gadgets that can save you time
and money - something we can all use!

OR......... A GREAT GIFT IDEA!!! Hmmmm?

SAFETOX Although Botox seems to be everywhere, it still requires you to make an appointment, go to the doctor, get briefed, do the injection (ouch), and then repeat the process a few months later. It’s too much. Instead, just lock yourself in your bathroom (so you won't scare anyone) and strap this gadget to your head. The Safetox device works on relaxing, as well as stimulating, certain muscles in your face in order to get similar results to the big "B” – minus the needle. safetox.com

LIGHT STIM If you've ever experienced the great results from photo rejuvenation on your face while getting a facial, then you’ll love this. Now you can take that same technology home with you and reduce fine lines with this magic wand. lightstim.com

WELLBOX Getting a little cheese on you're thighs? I've been working out, but I don't think I'll ever be able to fully rid myself of cellulite. However, I do feel like this gadget may help. This is the first at-home lipo-massage treatment kit that claims to help zap away unsightly areas. wellbox.com
l

nono HAIR REMOVAL SYSTEM This device uses what's called Thermicon to help reduce your visits to the waxing room. Pass the cell phone-sized gadget over the preferred spot to get rid of unsightly follicles. sephora.com   HSN.com   my-no-no.com

Dr. KERN HOME SUNLAMP This sunlamp  has the strongest wattage and covers a broad area of your face and neck. But don't forget, tanning = wrinkles.
drkern.com

PERSONAL UV MONITOR This is awesome! Input what type of skin you have and what type of UV protection you have on into this device. When it’s time for you to get out of the sun, it will beep. It’s sun protection in the palm of your hand. shopping.com

ANYTHING CHI Chi is the company that makes the hair styling gizmos that make you think, OMG $300 for a straightener? Yes, their products are that good. They do the curling, fluffing, straightening, and lifting you need at no expense to your hair's health. This new wet to dry flat iron is really FAB!
amazon.com     misikko.com    ebay.com

THIS IS THE BEST! I USE THIS! JONATHAN SHOWER WATER PURIFICATION SYSTEM It’s hard to get up on time every morning, but this pampering device makes the process slightly more enjoyable. This gadget purifies your shower water, meaning no chlorine or heavy metals. You can spend even more time in the pool this summer and still have soft, shiny hair.

shopping.com

POLL: Suckered into a Department Store Makeover?

D-Lee — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 09:16:31 PST

I don't know about you, but I have
been suckered into sitting down
while shopping and letting the
Dior woman talk me into a
"make over" - high pressure? Noooo....

Then, I ended up looking too made up.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU HAD A DEPARTMENT STORE 'MAKE OVER' AND ENDED UP LOOKING, WELL, CLOWNISH!

Go For The Glow!

D-Lee — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 10:24:24 PST

Turn back the clock with 3 steps to sexier skin.

When women talk about aging skin, the first thing they mention is wrinkles. But the loss of radiance or a youthful glow can add years to a woman's look, too, according to recent research. "The luminosity of skin is dependent on how well it absorbs and reflects light," says Paul Matts, PhD, a scientist with Procter & Gamble. That can be a problem for over-40 faces because the collagen fibers that mirror light back to the skin's surface tend to break down with age. Dead skin cell buildup and dark spots triggered by UV light also interfere with skin's light-reflective ability. To amp up collagen production, even out skin tone, and increase luster, try this simple skin care regimen for radiant skin. It will improve luminosity and diminish mild dullness and discoloration without being overly aggressive.

1. Smooth skin
"Sweeping away surface cells gives you a more light-reflective complexion and allows the products you'll apply next to penetrate better," says Deborah Sarnoff, MD, an associate clinical professor of dermatology at New York University School of Medicine. Use a cleanser that contains alpha- or beta-hydroxy acid; these gentle skin care exfoliants are less likely to inflame skin than gritty scrubs for that radiant-skin look.

2. Even out tone
To help clear hyperpigmentation, apply a lotion with 2% hydroquinone (HQ). "HQ works inside the pigment-producing cells to suppress the production of melanin, the substance that gives our skin color," says Alexa Boer Kimball, MD, MPH, director of the clinical unit for research trials in skin at Harvard Medical School. For speedier radiant-skin results, choose a skin care product that contains HQ and an over-the counter retinoid like retinol (a form of vitamin A) that repairs collagen and inhibits melanin production) and use it at night - Vitamin A creams can lose potency when exposed to UV light.

Be diligent: It generally takes at least 2 months to notice improvement, but don't use HQ longer than instructed on the label-up to 60 days, no more than three times a year. If used improperly, serious side effects can result, including increased skin irritation and permanent darkening.

3. Moisturize and protect
Keeping skin hydrated always helps boost a blah complexion, but new lotions made with niacinamide do more than that. This form of vitamin B also helps prevent the transfer of skin-darkening melanin into skin cells.

RED LIPS - TWO WAYS - WARM AND COOL TONES

D-Lee — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 11:57:58 PST

I think it's safe to say we are all loving the red lip this season.
Well for those of us who can't quite visualize the concept of warm
vs. cool reds, here are two photos that illustrate the difference.

Alexis Bledel in a lipstick shade that's cool which makes it play so beautifully off her BLUE eyes.

Erin Lucas whose firey red has much warmer, more orangey undertones,
so it works with her bronzer and rosy cheeks.

WHICH RED LIPSTICK DO YOU PREFER? OR DO YOU TOTALLY NOT KNOW?

Cosmetic Pick of the Day

D-Lee — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 11:25:08 PST

This is a great deal! Sephora has a new colorplay
palette for only $24 right now! Their first one was
great! This is even better. It has EVERYTHING
you need for many looks! A great gift for the ladies
on your gift list or for YOURSELF!

Color Play Palette II ($120 Value) only $24
What it is:
A palette that contains all the color products you need to create endless makeup looks.

What it does:
Get 10, 000 looks in one palette! Jam-packed with 36 powder eyeshadows, 12 lip colors, 3 powder blushes, and a bronzer, this professional Multi-use Makeup Palette is perfect for transforming your visage into a vision of perfection. Highly pigmented eyeshadows and cheek colors allow you to achieve any desired look with ease-making the Color Play Palette great for skilled makeup artists as well as beginners! Sleek and travel-friendly, it comes complete with a Mirror Portable Makeup Station for easy application on the go.
What else you need to know:

This palette is a $120 value offered at an amazing $24! It's paraben free and safe for sensitive skin. The compact size is 6.3" x 7".

www.sephora.com

Beauty Pic Name It

D-Lee — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 09:02:15 PST

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN....

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