DON'T Let this happen to YOU !

Dear Anti-Age Arsenal Reader --

Don't let this happen to YOU....

OR your friends...  (Is that the Grinch Who Stole Christmas on the right?)

Make sure to avert your eyes from the photo and look to the RIGHT of this article and type your email address in the SUBSCRIPTION box.

That's the only way you can be sure to receive new updates and articles from the Anti-Age Arsenal.

Tell Your Friends !

Or, just visit often !   If you want to rock n' roll, I got the guitar.

And look for these upcoming posts from the Anti-Aging Analyst in 2011 --

 - Is Your Shampoo Killing You? (uhhh... why YES.....nice news to start off the year...)
 - Mitochondria Cream
 - Anti-aging pills

and more!

Happy Holidaze to all you anti-aging rockstars out there !!

Enjoy !

How to Hit the Brakes on Stress - The Holiday's Top Beauty Bandit

As we zig and zag in high gear throughout the Holiday Season, that dreaded demon lurks at every curve, just begging for a turn at the steering wheel.   No, it's not Speed Racer  --  it's
S T R E S S !

Stress in excess loves to dish out all sorts of serious roadblocks:  high blood pressure, muscle tension, headaches, etc., but, Fellow Beauties, stress is also a bonafide Beauty Bandit that can drain your battery A N D  your LOOKS!

Don't let this villain hi-jack you and steer you down a rocky road this time of year.  Take your control back with these stress-busting tips!

First, here's a peek at some of the grizzly sites south of Stress Highway.... Careful, hazards ahead...

The Village of Dull, Dry Skin * Wrinkle City * and Rash Road

NOBODY wants to be Mayor of  Wrinkle Town.  Funky Town?  Yes.  Wrinkle Town, no.  But stress has a way of locking the doors, putting the pedal to the metal, then giving us the full nickel tour of these nasty pit stops on auto pilot.

When we're stressed-up, we've got some serious stress-hormone action going on, which affects our skin.  What's happening?  It's a spike in cortisol, something that generally is GOOD for us in dire medical situations, but it can whack us out too.  (Remember what experts call "The 4 Pillars of Aging?"  One of them is THIS puppy.  The aging pillars are: 1. Excess Insulin  2. Excess Cortisol 3. Excess Blood Glucose and 4. Excess Free Radicals).

Author and rad dermatologist Jeffrey Benabio, MD, FAAD breaks it down for us: 

"Skin with elevated cortisol can change both the skin’s structure and function. Studies have shown that chronically elevated cortisol levels lead to a decrease in your skin’s natural lipid or fat barrier. These lipids are essential to keep your skin protected and to prevent it from drying out. Without a layer of lipids on your skin, it is no longer waterproof, and irritating soap and water from hand washing or bathing is able to penetrate the skin, causing inflammation. Without a protective lipid layer, the moisture in your skin evaporates easily, leaving the skin dehydrated. This dry, flaky skin is even more susceptible to damage or irritation.

Elevated cortisol also impairs your skin’s natural defense system. Your skin is constantly producing specialized proteins that act as bacterialcides, killing off unwanted intruders on your skin. Stress can lead to a drop in production of these first line defense proteins, leaving your skin vulnerable."

The consequences of lipids loss and lowered defenses?  Doctor Benabio warns us: "Rashes such as eczema and psoriasiscan be triggered or can flare, turning a minor irritation into a full blown outbreak."

What to do?  The good doc recommends switching to a non-soap product like Dove, slathering on the moisture and ingesting some Omega 3 rich foods like flaxseed oil, salmon and walnuts.

Zits

Stress puts our cortisol levels and sebaceous glands into overdrive and THAT can mean an oil slick on your face.  Try to double up on the washing with something non-irritating and stay away from cleansers that contain pore-clogging oil.  Zits are the Pits !

Not Eating Enough

WHO, seriously, would do this?  Skipping meals is NOT my thing, but it's just what Miss Seriouso Stresso would do.

It's important to keep the fuel coming.  If time is the issue, try a protein shake or juicing.  Skipping meals is just going to make Miss Cranky Pants MORE cranky - she'll have lower energy levels, low blood glucose and INCREASED stress.  Can you say vicious circle?  

Feel better and EAT.  But remember, just because S-T-R-E-S-S-E-D is D-E-S-S-E-R-T-S spelled backwards does NOT mean that DESSERTS is the best option for you !

Zero Sleep

Over-stressed and not catching the Z's you need?  Check out The Anti-Aging Analyst's Top 20 Tips for Falling Asleep.

Hair loss

GASP!  Clumps of hair in the shower drain.   It's called "telogen effluvium."  (Is that from Harry Potter?) 

Hair grows in repeating cycles --

*2 years in active growth (yippee)
*A resting phase of about 3 months
*A "shedding" phase where it falls from the scalp

Normally, we shed around 100 strands of hair per day, and we don't notice since every strand of hair is in a different phase of the cycle.  But add some messed-up stress into the mix and as much as 70 percent of your hair can prematurely enter the resting phase.  Three months later, watch out, missy !  Better buy some Draino!

Fortunately,  except for the unlucky few, hair usually will begin to grow back within six months.

What to do?  Well, DON'T pull out your hair!

Run, do not walk to your board-certified dermatologist, preferably one with experience in hair loss, and make sure to be tested for iron, hormone levels and thyroid function.

Stress affects everyone differently, and siggy (significant) stress should be avoided like light blue eyeshadow and Scrunchies.  So how do we hit the brakes on stress?

Enter Life Coach and Work-Life-Balance Expert Rachel Cates.  This expert suggests having an arsenal of solutions available to reduce stress, especially around the holidays.  I recently interviewed Rachel to get her top 5 Stress-Busting Tips:

1)  Meditation

Her number one suggestion to fight stress?  Meditation.  Rachel tells us that meditating for just 5 to 20 minutes a day can help reduce cortisol levels, regulate blood pressure, and help our bodies process oxygen more efficiently. 

What's the trick?  It's easy.  Her advice is to sit in a quite room, close your eyes, and concentrate on deep breathing and remove all thoughts.  This will help undo the damage done to your nervous system by the "fight or flight" response that is activated when stress levels increase.

2)  Exercise

Rachel tells us that exercise can decrease cortisol levels and increase endorphins, which make you feel happy!  She recommends finding an exercise program or activity that you enjoy such as rollerblading, swimming, or walking, and do that for at least 30 minutes a day.  Find the time, peeps - it's well worth it!

3) One Thing at a Time, Please !

Single Task!!  Studies have shown that multitasking can increase stress levels and reduce your ability to concentrate effectively.  If you have a lot on your plate, our expert recommends to write down everything you need to do for the day.  Prioritize the list according to what is most important and do those items first.  Concentrate on one task until complete, taking 10 minute breaks every hour.  I mean, you wouldn't text and DRIVE, would you?

4) Do It Up Right

Sleeping and eating that is.  Number 4 on Rachel's De-Stresser List is to maintain a balanced diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, proteins, and complex carbohydrates.  In particular, she too recommends foods like salmon and flaxseed which are rich in Omega 3 and can reduce stress symptoms.   She says to keep your intake of sugar, alcohol, coffee, and fast-food to a minimum and get 7 to 9 hours of uninterrupted sleep every night to allow your body the opportunity to relax, reset, and regenerate healthy cells.  That means less box food, Jack!

5) Let It Go

Finally, Rachel reminds us that the only thing in life you can control is yourself.  If a major part of your stress is due to worrying about something that hasn't happened yet or replaying in your mind something that has already happened, you are just spinning your wheels!  She says to choose to use your imagination to create positive outcomes for yourself that are empowering and resonate with your life goals. Embrace the present moment as an opportunity to make meaningful life decisions.  Stay in the NOW! And hug every turn !

If you want to keep your life running in tip-top shape throughout the year, or stop the race against stress, you may consider hiring a life coach who can help you break through roadblocks, unleash your true power or simply give you that badly-needed tune-up to put you back on track.  Contact Rachel Cates for private life-coaching sessions at www.uvlifecoaching.com.  And you can read more of Dr. Benabio's advice at www.thedermblog.com.

My fave ways to deal with stress?  I'm glad you asked ...

- Play with my dog.  She's crazy funny and makes me laugh.
- Subliminal tapes are my new thing! 
- Pump some iron!  Ohhhh yah.
- Stay away from mean people!
- Bubble bath, Bubble bath, Bubble bath.

Here's to cruisin' stress-free every day of the year !  And admiring the scenery along the way!  Ooooh, pretty!  Are those ROSES?

The Anti-Aging Analyst

Get Glossed At The Estee Lauder Counter This Saturday!

Shake off the Holiday Blues with a reason to get out of bed this Saturday....

FREE STUFF !

Visit your nearest Estee Lauder counter on Saturday, December 4th for your necessary, no purchase necessary special treat.  Add some shimmer to that pout with a complimentary lip gloss.  Then, take 5 with a 2 minute complimentary hand massage featuring the EL scent "Beautiful."

Enjoy!

Find a participating Estee Lauder counter here

Bridal Plasty - Alters For the Altar

And the award for THE most  twisted media broadcast which radiates warped messages of body image, promotes distorted values, and inextricably links self-esteem and self-worth to the ideal of perfection is....

"Bridal Plasty." 

This is a new cable reality show where bride-to-be contestants compete to be CUT - go under the knife, that is - with the end goal of looking  "perfect" for their wedding day.  Participants compete for head to toe plastic surgeries - oh,  not just one - but a package of extensive, extreme procedures (up to 15 in total) including "anywhere and everywhere" liposuction, breast augmentations and others.  

Come on, JUST FIFTEEN procedures?  Where's your TRUE commitment to transformation ?  LOL.

The winning bride will reveal her newly transformed looks to her no-doubt "shocked-and-awed" groom when he lifts her veil during the wedding ceremony, a lavish "celebrity" indulgent type wedding which the series pays for as part of the prize.

Are these women medical emergencies for plastic surgery?  No.  I did not see any cleft lips, 3rd degree burns or disfiguring scars which would be detrimental to self-esteem.  Many have great figures and only one was in an extreme overweight category, having already lost 90 pounds due to good ol' fashioned diet and exercise.  Oh, anybody forget about those?

In my opinion, these women are simply victims of a fear-based mentality of "not measuring up" and have unfortunately, caved in to the idea of beauty and perfection which permeates in the media.  (Either that, or they are just TOTALLY psyched to get a free wedding.)  They are willing to endure HOURS of invasive surgery, major bruising, pain, pain and more pain, and major down time in bandages in order to change themselves on the outside and look "hot" in front of family and friends.

What are these lovely ladies doing on Bridal Plasty?  Is it because they simply do not feel they are "good enough"?  Are they sit-up intolerant?  Or they all want a free wedding?  Would they pay the money for all these procedures if they had the money?

These potential "soon to be bandaged" brides have chosen to be APART from their loved one for 4 months to be on this show, where they will subject themselves to "WINNING THE SYRINGE" and other degrading competitions to win procedures.   Hmmm....being away from the man you love and want to marry?  For 4 months?  Is that because they don't really VALUE their new relationship as much as they value "looking perfect"?  And what about your finance accepting you totally and completely and loving you for who you are instead of for how you look?  Well, that went out the window along with any TASTE or class.

So, we have some possible insecure victims of media on a reality show.  However, they are also being preyed upon.  The doctor who met with them for their medical consultation recommended liposuction for ALL these ladies.  (I mean, WHY not?  He's a plastic surgeon.)  Remember, none cept for one was pleasantly plump.

This dude was wielding black marker circles on body parts like he was playing Pictionary.  "Here, here,  here, here and here"  he says (to indicate where he would suck the fat out) as he waved the pen along lower tummies, upper tummies, legs, and arms.....tummies and arms that sometimes were bigger, and sometimes smaller.....but none were Barbie size.

Here's what young girls all across America heard:

Here's where you don't measure up. 
Here's where you can show improvement. 
Here's where you are not perfect.


Then, they start to think to themselves:

Gee, I hope that *I* don't look that THAT.

And what is THAT?  That is "not Barbie" aka "not perfect."

Before you know it, we've got a whole new slew of 12 year old's purging themselves.  Where are shows promoting self-confidence and self-esteem?

I'm not bashing the doctor or saying this doctor is not potentially very skilled.  I'm not saying he is overzealous.  I'm looking at the MESSAGE the scenes conveyed.

So the "victims" are further preyed upon and now the victims are players in a scene that perpetuates more victims.

The Bridal Plasty plastic host also had some twisted lines like:  "You might still be getting married, but your wedding just might not be PERFECT."  In other words, you lost.  You are not good enough.   You are not perfect.

Allright, no lawsuits people, I'm just paraphrasing on the quotes and reading in between the lines - I'm an "analyst" - remember?  (I heard the doctor is suing some of his patients who claimed they got  botched boobs from him.  Have you EVER heard of a doctor suing his patients??)
 
At least on The Swan (the other show the doctor appeared on), they had a psychological team giving evaluations to discover the contestant's underlying reason for their desire for a complete extreme transformation.  This show called Bridal Plasty seems to scream "Fix me!!"   "I'm insecure, but put me on TV!"  "Make me Perfect And I want Free Stuff!"   "Being beautiful and on TV is more important to me than my relationships!"   Oooohh, that last one was uncalled for...... right?

Ladies, you'll want to avoid this show due to the massive therapy sessions you will need after watching it.  If it utterly offends you, contact Comcast.   And you can always vent right here...

Did you catch the shameful show?  What did YOU think?  Opinions welcome...

Happy NIP-tuals,

The Anti-Aging Analyst

20 Tips for Falling Asleep

Hey Freshie Face --

They call it "beauty" sleep for a reason.....sleep is a time when our cells renew and our bodies re-energize.  "Gettin' your Eight" will help you feel and look great!

Ok, but what if Mister Sandman is avoiding you like the plague?   Studies show that when we age, we have a harder time falling asleep.

Seem to be in a sleep slump?  Here are some practical sleep tips for you...

1* Ditch the Dummy Tube 

Make the bedroom a TV-Free zone,  or don't watch it before bedtime.  It will distract and stimulate you.  Especially when you are trying to solve puzzles on Wheel of Fortune....mom......


2* White it Out

Fans?  Not the adoring kind, the noisy kind.  Fans create a "white noise" to help you block out unwanted noise like traffic.  Okay, now you can put the TV back into your bedroom, if you don't watch a channel and just listen to the static.....

Or, you can buy a white noise generating machine to help you drift off into a static-free bliss:

 

You can even get a white-noise app on your iPhone.  You are soooo high tech!
























3*  Center Square For the Block, Please

Use blinds or an eye mask to block out light.  Keeping it dark will "invite" sleep.


4*  "Goldie Locks" Your Mattress

Make sure you're in love with your mattress!  Take some time to find one that's "just right" for
you.  Invest.  You'll be in bed for a good portion of your life.  Need to brush up on your mattress types?  Click here.

OR, you can always keep what you've got (as long as it's not over 10 years old) and cheat it with a super-comfy "topper."

















5* No Snoopy Snuggles

You love your doggie or kittie - but you don't want them interrupting your precious sleep.  You don't have to a pull a whole "Dino" on them and throw them out of the house, just give them their own little sleeping space, and an extra hug in the A.M.  You may just breathe better too.


6*  Too Cool For School

Temperatures above 75 and below 55 will wreak havoc on your sleep, so when you are chill-axin', try to keep it relatively cool, dig ?


7*  Fight Footie Frustration

Sometimes, it's the little things .... like cold little piggies!  Wear a comfy pair of fuzzy socks for warm and toasty toes.  Something that won't pinch your ankles, leaving that ugly red mark and making your piggies want to run away from home! 


8*  Get Down

Feather pillows have less allergins than synthetic ones....easier on the nose and the last thing you need is your nose keeping you up at night.















Still having probs sleeping?

9*  Get More Down

Try natural herbs such as Valerian root, or a Chamomile tea to relax before bedtime.  Some recommend Melatonin.  Alteril is a combo of all natural ingredients like  L-Tryptophan (yummmm, Turkey Day!) and Valerian Root Extract and Chamomile.  Unless you want to be a sleep-zombie that doesn't remember things the next day, I'd say PASS on the Ambien.

Murad has a new product that promotes sleep AND skin repair at the same time.  I'm down with that:

Sleep Reform Dietary Supplement This patent-pending formula encourages the on-set of sleep while improving the depth and duration to support skin's cellular repair cycle. Sleep Reform Dietary Supplement accelerates the skin's repair cycle by enhancing and optimizing sleep while supporting increased collagen production and cellular renewal to restore youthful strength and appearance.*Additional features and ingredients:;; Melatonin promotes a deep, restful sleep Repair Enhancing Matrix; encourages muscle relaxation to maximize the body's ability to repair and regenerate Glucosamine and B-vitamins supports overall health*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

10*   Schedule it UP

Go to bed at the same time every night.  Your body will get used to it....before you know it, you'll be getting up at the same time too.   You can even have a nice relaxation ritual every evening at the same time, to tell your body to "wind down." 


11*  I Said "Wheel Watcher," not "Clock Watcher"

It's 2 am.   Oh, no, now, it's 2:01....Best to just not SEE the clock and obsess over it.  It causes stress and stimulates the brain.  Probably just as much as buying a vowel from Vanna.  Oh, and did you know your plug-in digital alarm clock may also emit harmful electro-magnetic fields?  You don't want those near your noggin.  So keep clear of the clock.




12*  RIY - Relax It Yourself

Try a lovely relaxation CD with meditation exercises, or you can opt for a CD of soothing ocean waves,  whale calls, or even give self-hypnosis a try.  VISUALIZE all of your muscles relaxing, your mind slooowing down and you are getting sleeeeeepy.....you are completely relaxed....DOH!  Not now, of course...there's more blog reading to do!


13*  Coffee and Booze, Anyone?

Ain't gonna help, so definitely cut these out if you can't sleep.  Oh, this also applies to caffeine in general....and Snickers Bars, M&M's, ho-ho's, Twix, Kit-Kats, etc.


14*  B's Equal Zzz's

"B" sure to get your vitamin B.  The B vitamins help your body deal with stress and can help prevent insomnia.  Magnesium is also a go-to vitamin that can help induce sleep.

If you are stressed, go hardcore with a turbocharged B-Complex like this:

Vitamin B Complex: Nutrients for stress control-Functionalab A comprehensive collection of all the essential B vitamins and nutrients.*

15* My Girl Likes to Potty All The Time

All those bathroom trips preventing you from getting a good night's rest?  Try cutting off your water intake around dinnertime.  Then, you'll BE number 1, as opposed to having to GO number 1.


16*  Sudz it Up (No, Not Beer)

Ahhh, to sit in the bubble tub.  Warm baths (as opposed to showers) are muy relaxing!  Where's my rubber duckie?

Try your bath with this relaxing bath bomb from LUSH and sleep like a babe:

Golden Slumbers Bath Bomb Remember how it felt to sleep like a baby? Neither did we before trying Golden Slumbers; now there's a way to get back home, to sleep that is. Stress melts away in waves of lavender sprigs, lavender oil and lavender absolute. Trying to keep your eyes open after a Golden Slumbers bath is a feat; you're better just to give in and go off to bed.

17*  Jumping Jax...

just not right before bed -- THAT is just going to keep you up.  The National Sleep Foundation sleep experts recommend exercising at least three hours before bedtime, and the best time is usually late afternoon.


18* Spring for The Sheets

It COULD be your low-thread count sheets making you scratchy wacky tossy-turny.  Go for a higher thread count, many times on sale with tiny irregularities at stores like Ross.  I was surprized to find out they go above 1,000 thread count and are pretty reasonably priced !
















19* Z is For Zeo


Can't figure out WHY you're not catching enough Z's?  Get a Zeo!  Not "Zeno" - that one is for acne.

Zeo is a personal sleep coach.  You wear the Zeo headband when you sleep.  It has sensors on it that measure your sleep patterns through the electrical signals naturally produced by the brain.  It actually will give you a "score" of your sleep in quanity and quality.

You get a bedside display of your sleep and can upload your sleep info to the myZeo Personal Coaching website, and spot trends in your sleep that you have never been able to see before. You get an on-line journal and a guided self-discovery process for your sleep, too!  If you've tried all else and like solving mysteries, Zeo is for you!

















20*  Call in the Pro's

Who Ya Gonna Call?  Insomnia Busters!   That'd be cool, but not really... If you're sleep-slump is severe, you can get poked and prodded at sleep clinic or sleep lab.  Many insurance programs will cover it - just bring your jammies, as you'll be spending the night !  (I hear lots of times there's a waiting list, so don't expect an immediate appointment.)

The National Sleep Foundation is a great resource to find a sleep professional or get more info on more serious sleep disorders.


One Sheep, Two Sheep, Three Sheep....

~The Anti-Age Girl

Lose the Laser and Go Au Naturale...And Get a Free Mini-Facial !

Comfortably, yet oddly nestled in between a Guess store and The Wild Pair (yep, they STILL have that store!) my sore eyes spotted an understated powerhouse of beauty:

Origins!

I bee-lined it in and like a good analyst, immediately started asking questions....

What's new at Origins?

They are giving away a free, "no-purchase necessary" mini facial!  You get:

- A personalized skincare consultation
- A gentle exfoliation
- A facial mask for your specific needs
- and a free sample of whatever product you choose

Whats the big deal?  The Origins line consists of therapeutic plants, 100% natural essential oils and certified organic ingredients.  They've positioned themselves as "Nature's Alternative to Lasers, Injections and Nips and Tucks."  And that's the PLANTS delivering those results of brightening, firming and line reducing, with no downtime or side effects.

So, break away!  It's a perfect time for you to slough off some of the fall dull-drums and try some pure plant based products !

The Origins BRIGHTER BY NATURE line (the alternative to lasers) has a peel, serum and moisturizer to fade dark spots and create a luminous glow.  Chemical peels give great results - but they can leave your skin red and sometimes flaky.  Oh, and did I mention they HURT LIKE HECK!!?   (Ahh, the burn......) The Brighter By Nature peel with fruit acids delivers the smoothness and radiance of a 30% glycolic peel without the redness or side affects of a chemical peel.  Ingredients are blueberry, goji berry and grape seed extract.

The serum gave my skin an instant glow-kick.  The moisturizer is a little thicker and has an SPF of 35.  The key ingredient in this gem is Palmaria, which works to help restore clarity and brightness for those dark spots.  Sooo going on my holiday wish list.

Give it about 4 weeks to start seeing the fading with some very noticeable changes in 8 weeks.

The YOUTHTOPIA line (the alternative to nips and tucks) contains a Siberian herb called Rhodiola, which is for firming.  This line promises great results - firmer, younger looking skin in about 7 weeks.  Not for the faint-hearted when it comes to smells ... this line has a very "earthy" fragrance (that's the "PC" way of saying it).

But don't let Peppie LaPue bring you down:  You can still rock pretty crazy-amazing results with this line -- check out this jowl-line lift after 7 weeks using Youthtopia serum ($60.00) !!

The STARTING OVER line (the painless alternative to injectables) has Mimosa, Argan Leaf and Green Algae.  9 out of 10 tested prefered it over injections.  Mimosa was originally used to sooth and to help heal burns.  It also is a collagen stimulator.

You WILL need an appointment for your free mini-facial.  Just go to origins.com to find a location  near you, then book it, Dano !    And you can check out these and other great Origins products here:

Ain't nature nice?

The Benefits of Pumpkin

Scary Face.  Happy Face.  Good-For-Your Face.

What's that?

Your Halloween Jack-O-Lantern!

You carved it.   You toasted it.  You made soup or even a pumpkin pie....okay, no, you didn't.  It just sat it's lonely ol' face outside your porch night after October night.  Still....

before you 86 your Halloween pumpkin, you might want to save a scoop for your face.

Pumpkin has scary levels of zinc (a great home-remedy for acne), vitamin C (anti-oxidant) and beta-carotene.  It  can help to nourish your face and slough off those dead or zombie skin cells.

Here are a few home-made treats for you:

Home-Made Pumpkin Mask

You want to cube the inner pumpkin (not the rind) and cook it up....give it a few whirls in the blender.

Whisk together about 1/4 cup of pumpkin and one egg (or blender it).

Add a few tbs of honey.

Add a splash of milk -- or great trick:  use whipping cream if you have drier skin.

To combo it up, you can also add coconut oil, or even pineapple.

 Leave it on your face for 15-20 minutes.


Spice it Up Body Scrub-Treat

1/2 cup pureed cooked pumpkin

1/2 cup brown sugar 

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

All you have to do here is  combine all these ingredients in a bowl.  Then apply with a damp washcloth while in the shower and rinse.

You don't have to lie in wait at the pumpkin patch for the perfect pumpkin - pumpkin puree from a can will work too!  Couldn't be easier!

If you'd rather have your treats ready to go, you can try one of these ready-made pumpkin faves that should last you year-round:

Pumpkin Enzyme Peel (3.3 oz.) This revitalizing peel uses pumpkin enzymes to digest and exfoliate dead skin cells and surface impurities, resulting in a pure, smooth and radiant complexion. It detoxifies congested skin and banishes rough skin textures for an even, healthy appearance. Anti-aging antioxidants neutralize free radicals, sodium hyaluronate deeply hydrates and vitamin A protects and softens the skin. Ideal for all skin types.

Pumpkin.

All Treat.  No Trick.

"Pink" Beauty Products to Benefit The Breast Cancer Research Foundation

Didja get your "pink" on yet?

Nooo, not THAT pink, this pink:

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month..

...and a great time to "get in the pink" by stopping by The Estee Lauder and Clinique counters for some cause-worthy beauty scores.

Estée Lauder is donating a sweet half mill to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Here's how  you can help:  Spread the word about breast cancer awareness by purchasing a little pink clutch and lip set designed by Evelyn Lauder  -

Check out more Estee Lauder Pink Products for Breast Cancer Awareness Month








Lucky for you Clinique also has pink on the brain.  Pick up your fave Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion in this limited collectible key-ring edition - and make a dramatic diff !

Clinique is donating $10.00 of your purchase price to help support the Breast Cancer Research Foundation®.

Clinque Pink Link











Ah, the joy of looking great and giving back !  Pink = Priceless !

Connect, Communicate, Conquer ...  and if you can squeeze in a little Pink Panther action?  Awesome.

No Lipo Lipo - Carol Maggio's Techniques Deliver Lipo Results with Zero Surgery

YOU:

Dear Genie...

Hi, I'd like to order one liposuction procedure.... except....uhhhh....I really don't want surgery, so basically, I want all the BENEFITS of liposuction, without actually having liposuction. 

Oh, and I really don't want to work-out or take diet pills, either.

K?

GENIE:

Wish Granted !

YOU:

Uhhh... really?  

Cool.

DRASTIC....DRAMATIC...FANTASTIC.

You are looking at results from NO LIPO LIPO, the exclusive, all-body technique that sculpts your body and slims it.  It's NOT liposuction.....so there's no worries, no surgery, no downtime or side-effects, but...you get the results of liposuction at a fraction of the cost.  Just what you wished for.

Carole Maggio does it again.

It's really like a turbo-charged knuckle-massage that stimulates circulation and breaks down body fat and tones and strengths muscles.

What was that?  Yes, it's basically a MASSAGE, not an exercise program.  Many clients don't even work out!  (They say it themselves in the video below.)  But they DO cut out carbs after 5pm and drink two cups of green tea a day to help flush out the fat and toxins from their system.

The average client loses 12-16 inches after 10 treatments.  Treatments are 2x week.  They last 30 minutes.

In the video below, Carole says ten treatments at her spa cost around $600.  And that includes a loofah.

Here's what the Queen of Facial Exercises says about No Lipo Lipo on her website:

This technique smooths and tightens the skin, lifts the buttocks, flattens the stomach and reduces inches on the thighs. It also dramatically improves circulation in addition to minimizing the appearance of cellulite. Mimics liposuction at a fraction of the cost. 

You are NOT going to believe this, but Carole made a DVD teaching you NO LIPO LIPO...

Carole Maggio's NO LIPO LIPO DVD available here - click ONLINE STORE, then DVDs/Books

So you can go to the Carole Maggio Day Spa in Redondo Beach, CA....find a spa that licenses her technique, OR do it in the privacy of your own home!

The DVD is $39.95.    Yeah, you might just want to scroll up & take a look at the above results photo one more time :)  WHAT AN AMAZING DEAL FOR SMOKIN' HOT RESULTS !

You can get more and save more if you opt to get the NO Lipo Lipo DVD with a Sisal Louffa Mitt and Strap with a Nourishing E Oil for $89.95.   The DVD demonstrates Carole's  "Dry Brushing technique" which strengthens the connective tissue and firms the skin, so you'll need the loufas.








Carole Maggio's NO LIPO LIPO DVD and louffa mitt and strap available here - click ONLINE STORE, then DVDs/Books

To see more results from Carole Maggio's No Lipo Lipo, go to:

Facercise.com

And don't forget about Carole's faboo Facercise facial exercise program! Did you know she gives a 30 day money-back guarantee on her Facercise DVD?  You can also purchase a private web-cam Facercise class on her site.

And here's some fun & informative video clips from KTLA featuring Carole and the NO LIPO LIPO technique.

Yep....NO scapel.  All natural.  NO side-effects.  Risk-free.

Most men don't pursue lipsuction, BUT...I would think that the GUYS would want to jump on this too!  No reason they can't drain a couple pony kegs off the ol' beer gut with this technique.

If you've been wishin' for a slim-down, no need to wish upon a star or rub that Genie lamp, just go to Carol's website or spa... then watch those sizes melt off like the pix above !

With THESE crazy-good results?  Let the Massaging and Loofah-ing begin !


~The Anti-Aging Analyst

Free Goodies For Your Birthday !

The "f" word is never optional....and that word, my Gal Pals, is F R E E !

And freebies on your birthday?  Well, that just makes it even more special...like eating the little rose off your cake frosting - YUM !

Yesterday, I celebrated the big Four-Five b-day, so I want to share my nifty gifties...

First, I went to Sephora and picked up my free Beauty Insider Birthday present:

All you need to do to get this is sign up on the Sephora site.  No purchase is necessary if you pick the gift up in person 2 weeks before or after your birthday.  This one is a little smaller than the lipglosses I got last year and am still using, but nice to have a new mascara, even if it is Barbie Doll size.  There's also a compact eyeliner and eyeshadow.

Then, amazing Aveda send me an invite for a personalized gift -

a free Personal Blends Pure-Fume Spirit or body care product worth up to $25.00 - custom-blended with the aroma of my choice.  Think all I did to get this, was to submit my email address at the Aveda site.  Easy.

Following my nose to an Aveda store next for this major feel-pretty smellie.

Anybody else got any makeup, body yummies or anti-aging birthday freebies?  Lemmee know, so we can all get on the VIP List !

Older, Wiser and About to Smell Prettier,

~The Anti-Aging Analyst

Does The Way You Sleep Cause Wrinkles? How to Prevent Facial Creases

Sleeping Beauties : 

Catching enough shut-eye?  If your answer is "no," your lack of sleep can contribute to AGING!

Fatigue causes the stress hormone cortisol to spike....and too much cortisol is one of the "four pillars of aging".... (along with an excess of insulin, free radicals, and blood glucose.  Read more about the four pillars of aging here.)

Sleep rejuvenates our minds and our bodies, and good sleep is essential to good health, so make sure you are getting plenty of Zzzzzz's....

And sheezzzzzz, it's not only HOW much sleep we are getting, but HOW we are sleeping that can affect looking older!

We've ALL had one of those restless nights where we wake up, check the mirror and say:

Goooood Mornin' Rip Van WRINKLE!

If you constantly sleep on one side of your face, or sleep on your stomach every single night, night after night, you can get lines or even stretch out your skin ... and side-sleeping not only affects your face - it also, over time, makes your neck and chest sag !

It's what I like to call "FACE SMOOSHING SYNDROME"... or FSS.

Why does FSS cause wrinkles?  One, two, three - it's the REPETITION of hitting the sheets hard night after night that causes those lines to get deeper and deeper... resulting in the "mechanical" or some say "compression" wrinkle.  Plus, if you are stressin' it up, getting chased by The Boogey Man, or solving night-time algorithms, your face just might furrow in your sleep too!  Yeouch!

Math Geeks - listen up:  let's say you are 40 and the average person sleeps 1/3 of their lives...   That means you've already slept 13.333 YEARS.....and if you're sleeping the same way on the side of your face or stomach... that's 13 + years of pillow grooves!   Not the good kind of grooves....

So what should we do?   Anyone?   Bueller?

Well, prevention is key.  Here are a few tips...

Hit The Sack On Your Back

The best thing to do is to train yourself to sleep on your back.

Easier said than done...but the back position helps to prevent "pillow thrashing" and will help improve your air flow.  Make a conscious effort to at least start off slumber this way, paying special attention to relax all of your facial muscles.  Need more support?  Push the pillow under your knees.

Talk Pillows

You can get an "anti-aging" pillow like this one :

Anti Wrinkle Beauty Pillow - Ivory! 

These special U-shaped pillows support your head, elevate your face and provide proper support for the neck, shoulders and back.  Some of them are filled with nice smellies too, to make you feel like you are sleeping on a bed of roses.

Tape it Up

Plaster up that wrinkle so it can't move, babe!  My fave is Frownies.  Now,  I've seen some readers search for "how to make your own Frownies with duct tape."..... okay, this is just wrong wrong wrong!  Do you want that toxic adhesive gunk going into your skin?  Your best bet is to use Frownies, or to try to re-train your facial muscles consciously.

Try Nights in White Satin

A satin pillowcase will do wonders to help smooth out the tossy turnies...and won't tangle up your hair as much as a cotton case.  No WONDER I always have bed-head...

Ahhhh, silky..... Shop Satin Luxury Standard Satin Pillowcase with Hidden Zipper, Champagne

         

Play Pillow Toss

You can loose the pillow underneath your head entirely and just use one underneath your knees for back support.

Move Over,  Statue of Liberty....

If you just CAN'T stop rubbing your face all over your pillow, at least get this: 

CupronTM Cosmetic Skin Appearance-Enhancing Satin Pillowcase .

It's a pillowcase that contains copper in the fabric that claims to soften your wrinkles!   

Now, copper peptides are great for your skin - they help stimulate collagen production, have an anti-bacterial component and can help heal wounds.  Better than rubbing your face on your copper piping...  that could cause some serious face squishies.

         Anyone try this?  PLEASE, let me know!



You TOO can prevent Face Smooshing Syndrome! 

Here's to counting sheep, not sleep lines --

And be on the look-out for an upcoming post with 20 tips to help you get all the winks you can!

Yawny Talk,

The Anti-Aging Analyst

Mirror Mirror - "Face It"

"Age is an issue of mind over matter.  If you don't mind, it doesn't matter."

            ~Mark Twain

 

Not to get too booga-booga on ya, but.... let's face it:  It's as plain as the cute little nose on your face that our culture and media have a scorching, blinding, dysfunctional love affair with youth and beauty. 

We all know we are of more value than our looks -- after all, we are intelligent, accomplished and giving women -- so WHAT if we get a gray hair or start to sag?

I mean, it's only gravity, right?

So, in my asking myself "why do so many women flip out at the first sign of aging?" I came across an interesting-looking book called :

"Face it:  What Women Really Feel as Their Looks Change."

The authors - Vivian Diller, Ph.D.,  a psychologist, and Jill Muir-Sukenick, Ph.D.,  a psychoanalytic psychotherapist, are both former models, so they've been knee-deep in the trenches of the "beauty equals value" mine-field.  Former models can offer some interesting insight, as models have some insane pressure to be youthful and beautiful and STAY that way.  They can even "age out" and be too old to model at around 20...and honey, they KNOW that day is a comin'!

The book addresses the emotional changes women go through as we age and how our changing appearance actually...well, messes with our heads.  AND it addresses what to DO about it.

In this interview from "Today's Women,"  the authors talk about the complicated set of emotions underlying an "identity shift" that comes with the aging process.

Did you know we are all going thru all this mumbjo jumbo?

Watch the Today's Women interview from MSNBC

Remember the "Britain's Got Talent" show where Susan Boyle walked on stage and Simon Cowell asked menacingly  "How old are you?"  Susan confidently stated she was 47.  Then she added:

"and that's just one side of me!"

Go Susan Boyle!

And I'm also reminded here again of Carol Maggio's words:  that the mind is the most powerful tool you possess as a human being.  She says to "Use this tremendous tool to improve your face and your life."  Sage words.  It's all about confidence, peeps!  Knowing when to "let" looks be important, and knowing that looks do NOT define you or create your value.  BEAUTY is NOT a currency!

In the end, looks are nothing to OBSESS over -- that doesn't mean you need to give up the maintenance or improvement plan entirely :) and there's nothing wrong with wanting to improve your looks - as long as it's done without FEAR or obsession or the whole "I have to get Botox cuz no one is going to love me if I have these lines on my face."   That's NOT healthy thinking!

It's all about scoring a healthy balance and accepting your changing appearance -- nothin' really stops  Mother Nature's Hour Glass....that sand keeps a sifting down... and down....and down....hell, that hour glass has a @*&#-load of sand ! :)

Be you, stay cool and stay balanced to accept yourself and your looks at any age! 

If you are interested in picking up what sounds like an interesting read in "Face It," you can find it on Amazon.com -- link below.

And please give a shout out to share how YOU feel about getting older and wiser .... let's share and learn from each other and grow!  That's what this blog is all about!!

PS:  That Mirror Mirror On The Wall thinks you are sexy -- JUST the way you are !!

Skin Actives Scientific - Product Reviews: Dream Cream, Anti-Aging Cream with Reservatrol, Lip Trio

If there is one word (other than "yum") to describe the products from Skin Actives Scientific, that word would be:

Addicting !

STOP right there, Miss "Department Store Diva"!   I know what you are thinking:

a)  MY moisturizer (yours) is the cream of the crop because it costs over $100 an ounce.

b) MY moisturizer is better because it comes in a pretty blue jar and a box.

c)  MY moisturizer is customized  because I can choose from daytime or nighttime formulas.

P O P !

What was that noise?  Oh, that was me bursting your bubble.

Tons of coin spent on marketing and packaging does NOT mean you are getting a primo product.

It takes guts to say no to bling.  But Skin Actives Scientific chooses substance over style.  No fancy bottles or labels - they put top dollar into research and top-of-the-line ingredients, not packaging.  Zero fancy schmancies means lower cost.  And shoot - these scientists have concocted formulas in their lab to put most - if not all - department store skin creams to shame!

Do you know of any other company out there that has a team of "protein engineers?" 

HERE'S AN AMAZING BEAUTY "SECRET" the big brands DO NOT WANT YOU TO KNOW:

Skin Active Scientific, SELLS the actual active ingredients - or "actives" - which you can add to a base cream, or your fave lotion, thereby MAKING YOUR OWN "ACTIVE" SKINCARE PRODUCTS!

Girl, this means you can save HUNDREDS !!!!

Spending your pennies on the hefty-priced Prevage MD?  SAS sells idebenone, the active ingredient in Prevage.  1.5 gm =  $7.50

Four ounces of the base cream - to add the actives to - costs only $6.50 !!

Hello?  You just pulled a D.I.Y. (do it yourself) version of Prevage, with the same active ingredients for the cost of lunch.   Savings = WHOPPING! At that cost, you can make some gifties for your friends.

Major brand name companies often add color additives and other nasties.  You won't get that when you cook up your own!

Not up to speed on your ingredients?  Their website tells you what actives are best for the problem you have!

Acne?   Try the actives Green Tea EGCG and Liquorice Extract for oil control (also great for skin lightening).

Got Puffy Eyes?  They have a "dePuff for Eyes Concentrate"

Icky scar from that nasty rollerblading fall?  Try rosehip oil.

Easy Peezy.  If you can whip up a cake, you can whip up your own moisturizer with the help of the Skin Actives website.

They even have a FORUM, where you can share, get tips and GET ACTIVE on your actives!

Not into following recipes?

No prob. That's where the Skin Actives "Ready to Use" Products come in.  And these are the crème de la crème formulas straight from the biochemists' laboratory.

SKIN ACTIVES PRODUCT REVIEWS:

The smarties at Skin Actives Scientific sent me some samples of their "Ready To Use" products to review (lucky duck!).  Here's what I was able to try so far:

Dream Cream

Key ingredients: sea kelp bioferment, shea butter, SAS antiOx booster

View Dream Cream's full ingredient list here.






Fluffy and delicate.  Creamy when you put it on, and skin soaks it up in a snap!  Imagine a whipped airy souflee DE-light that's super-duper soothing and nourishing.  A match made in heaven for dry skin and eczema.

Made for face, body and hands - altho, no jumping right onto the keyboard and mouse right after applying since it left my fingertips a little slippery for a bit.

Fragrance is light and pleasant - is it the rosehip oil?  SNIFF.....Ahhhhh.

This dream of a cream was formulated by Hannah Sivak, Ph.D., former Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Michigan State University and founder of Skin Actives Scientific.

Dream Cream goes for a very reasonable  $30.00 for FOUR ounces.  Apply to clean, dry skin.

Anti-Aging Cream with Resveratrol

 View Anti-Aging Cream with Resveratrol full ingredient list here.






Announcing The New HeavyWeight Champion of Moisturers!

This ingredient list is a veritable "who's who" of the biggest and best age-fighters guaranteed to pack a Power Punch to knock out wrinkles !  Get this:

Coenzyme Q10
Hyaluronic Acid
Sea Kelp Bioferment
Resveratrol
Alpha Lipoic Acid
Epidermal Growth Factor - elsewhere, this active is in products priced at $200-600 per ounce ! 

This heavy-hitter anti-aging cream is chock -full of antioxidants.  It glides on.  Throw in the towel,  wrinkles, you're down for the count.

This cream left my skin "silky-velvet" to the touch.  And it seems to have a nice tightening effect. Heard of crepey neck?  It started to creep up on me...and this cream is the only product I've tried that helped to iron out the crepe!  And that's no rope a dope.

$32.00 for 1 fluid ounce.


Lip Trio










A trifecta set for dry, chapped lips.  The smarties at Skin Actives designed this trio for maximum lip nourishment and health, so use it even if you don't have a case of the chappies.

Lip Collagen Serum (10 ml) - Wow, a serum that builds and maintains collagen for lips! 
 
Lightly shake, then brush on this light, brown serum and feel it's nourishment soak right into lips.  Made to be topped off with Liquid Rainbow or Lip Balm.

Contains goodies like cherry juice, sea kelp  bioferment, hyaluronic acid, liquorice, resveratrol, lycopene, and epidermal growth factor.

Liquid Rainbow (10 ml) - This is some serious lip lube!  Minty moisture-to-the-max courtesy of the Liquid Crystal Base.   Contains Skin Actives' Anti-Oxidant Booster with natural vitamin E and Alpha Lipoic Acid,  and Peppermint Essential Oil.  Lips feels uuuuultra soft with this long-lasting, light-reflecting, shiny gloss.  And stickies?  Forgetta bout it!  Oh, and you can add a touch of color with your fave lipliner - blends right in.

Lip Balm (1 unit) - Great alone or over the Lip Collagen Serum.   A soft, minty balm that's glidy, not waxy.   Sooth up those gossip gabbers with anti-oxidants, petrolatum, safflower seed oil, honey, pemogranate seed oil and peppermint essential oil.  Way to go that is also has an anti-viral component....you never know when you might accidentally kiss a frog!

Lot's more ready-to-use products from Skin Actives.... so check 'em out!  And if you make your own product or try one of their many ready-mades, let me know!

Skin Actives is like having a friendly anti-aging scientist in your pocket.

GENIUS!

Next up for review?  A few of their serums...

Good heavens Miss Sakamoto, you're bee-YOU-tee ful!


She Blinded Me With Science,


The Anti-Aging Analyst

The Tyra Show - “I’m 9 and I Hate My Face"

What do you see when you look in the mirror? 

       “A monster... I think I look ugly.”

       “When people see my face, I think they see a pig.”

      “I think my face is really disgusting.”

      “I feel like I’m ugly now but I have to wait till I’m    

       older to get plastic surgery.”

Young Frankenstein convention?

Nope.

I sat shocked and horrified as I watched these little pretty girls answer the question.  Little girls as young as 9 years old, confessing that they HATE their looks and want plastic surgery to change them.

That was the day The Tyra Show made me cry.  Tyra got a little choked up as well.

Picture a 10 year old wanting Botox for her “eye bags and laugh lines.”   Hand her a marker and she circles imperfections on a self-photo with surgical precision.  With commentary.

Note to Tyra:  if a 10 year old hates her face, way to go by putting her in the same room with a giant photo of….her face.  Not too traumatizing :)

In any case:

An eye-opening show about a disturbing epidemic of lack of self-esteem in young girls, and how “the media” defines beauty and influences all of us on who or what WE believe to be beautiful.

Hey wait, I'm "the media" !  So here's a pic of lovely Tyra sans the glamour look.  She would want you to see it.  She bravely,  came out with no makeup on her talk show.  Kudos. 

Save the date –

THIS WEDNESDAY, September 8^th on the CW network.

Tyra Show

Not Tuesday – that’s the show about Stoner Soccer Moms (for realz). WEDNESDAY - not Monday - that’s the sex addict show.  Haha, also NOT a joke.  YES, the Tyra Show is gone Daddy gone, but THIS one on Wednesday is a must see!
 




Spoiler Alert !   

 From The Tyra Show “I’m 9 and I Hate My Face” --

7 out of 10 girls feel they do not “measure up” in some way.

The 41-year-old mother of one of the kids said she’s disturbed to hear her young daughter – not even a teen – talk about getting surgery.  I quote her:

 “…when I say it, [when she talks of getting surgery or Botox] it’s because I really need to."

Whoah.

Many of the moms of these kids complained about their own looks in front of their daughters. 

Things that make you go:

“Hmmmmmm.”

One little-one confesses that she doesn’t like her looks.  She also confesses she is embarrassed of her mother’s looks because her mom’s teeth are damaged! 

One young girl said she didn’t feel she was pretty because she felt her cheeks were too big.

Tyra had a brilliant answer.  I paraphrase.

“You are beautiful.  Big cheeks, small cheeks, dark cheeks, light cheeks, freckled cheeks, long cheeks, short cheeks, no cheeks =  it’s ALL beautiful.”

After hearing another little girl say she felt ugly and wished she had lighter skin, Tyra’s voice cracked but she determinedly said, “It is my MISSION in life to expand what beautiful IS for young girls.”

She goes on:

“There is not one cookie cutter [definition] of beauty.

Beauty comes in so many different shapes and sizes, and cheeks and skin tones and hair lengths and textures…and eye colors and lip shapes …”

I got your back, Tyra.

Looks like we have bigger battles ahead of us than just the war against wrinkles.  Let’s show them youngins by being proud and shiny examples of confidence and think about expanding our own ideals of what beauty is.

Essentially, it’s up to US…I mean, Tyra and the Dove Campaign ain’t really gonna do it alone.

Find out more and watch the re-run of “I’m 9 And I Hate My Face” on The Tyra Show Wednesday, September 8^th.

Then go hug your kid and tell them they are smart, beautiful and perfect just the way they are.  And remember, so are you!

For realz.