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.