By-My-Bedside: NATRA Rx DNA Eye Firming Cream

I am delighted when I get to try products that are new to you, me – well, us!

I had never heard of NATRA Rx DNA Eye Firming Cream until I received it in a gift bag a few months ago.

Yes, this is really my bedside!

Let me tell you. I like it. I realllly like it.

The price is right, the texture is universally appealing and it does what it promises to do!

So, now for the specifics.

Front and center: NATRA Rx DNA Eye Firming Cream ($65)

The price is right? Yep. A cool $65 for a generous 1 ounce. And when I say generous, I mean generous!! Most eye creams are marketed at only .5 oz so you’re gettin’ a deal here!

Why universally appealing? Because as much as I loooove heavy creams, I’ve found that most of you guys don’t. And when I say “you guys”, I mean you girls AND “you guys” (Tadd McCullough, I’m thinking of you as I write this). It’s creamy enough for emollience lovers like myself while being light enough for those of you do not like your eye cream to feel like frosting. What’s so wrong with that, I ask?

It works, you say? Indeed. It minimizes the appearance of those pesky fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes, restores the dermal matrix for improved skin health and resiliency and improves skin firmness. Yay, yay and YAY!!

And how exactly does it work? Well, it’s specially formulated to reduce the appearance of those foes – crows’ feet – and improves elasticity by micro-injecting fine lines (don’t worry, no needles here) with penetrating neuropeptide and DNA molecules, helping to restore the dermal matrix. Renewed organization of collagen fibers in the dermal layer cause skin to appear firmer while the Biomimetic Peptide Growth Factors heal and repair external damage. That scientific enough for ya, brainiac?

All I know, and all you need to know, is that in the weeks since I’ve started using it, I’ve seen a marked difference in those wry little wrinkles around my eyes. It takes just a small amount so the bang for the buck is BIG!

 

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: Do you like your eye creams do be heavier creams, lighter gel creams or lotions?

By-My-Bedside: Atopalm Moisturizing Hand Treatment

What’s by my bedside right now during this, ahem, “cold” spell in Los Angeles?


Atopalm Moisturizing Hand Treatment ($18)

It may not have the most precious name or the prettiest packaging but the pretty is reserved for how pretty it makes your hands feel!

Moisturized, supple and PRETTY!

Paraben free and suitable for the most sensitive of skin, this hand cream provides antioxidant protection while moisturizing on multiple layers.

Your pretty paws will look moisturized, younger, brighter and feel waaaay softer.

Pretty protection & perfection for these frigid, drying months!

And the price tag is pretty too – only $18 for 4 generous ounces!

 

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: How do you keep your pretty paws moisturized during the drying winter months? 


 

In-My-Tub-Tuesday: DDF Glycolic Wash

 

Who really loves to clean their face?
Not I said the fly.
But it’s a necessary evil. Like brushing your teeth.
One that will perhaps keep us from looking so evil later in life.
And one that I never, never miss before I head to bed.

DDF Glycolic Wash ($28)

So what makes this necessary evil more enjoyable?
When I find a cleanser that multitasks for me!
DDF Glycolic Wash is a cleansing, anti-aging, restorative and renewing quadruple threat!
It deep cleanses with 5% glycolic acid, purifying the pores and minimizing the appearance of those pesky fine lines and wrinkles.
The perfect ph-balanced pairing of the glycolic acid and choice skin conditioners make for a blissful marriage for your skin.
Even for the most sensitive of skin, like yours truly, it won’t strip, dry or dehydrate.
It just feels goooooood!
And your skin will just be left feeling cleaner, younger, glowing and ravishingly radiant!
 xoxo,
BF
BF Asks: Do you dread or love washing your face? What is your cleanser of choice?

 

 

In-My-Tub-Tuesday: Freeze 24/7 IceCrystals Anti-Aging Prep and Polish

Freeze 24/7 Anti-Aging Prep and Polish
In-My-Tub-Tuesday: Freeze 24/7 Anti-Aging Prep and Polish ($65)

I was pleasantly surprised after trying Freeze 24/7′s IceCrystals Anti-Aging Prep and Polish ($65)  for the first time this past weekend!

In-My-Tub-Tuesday: Freeze 24/7 Anti-Aging Prep and Polish ($65)

I was told by a former client, who loves the product, that she saw a reduction in age spots, her skin felt softer and she swears she looks at least 5 years younger. Hmmm…put that on the Pinterest “To Try and Buy” board! So I did and I tried.
And I loved!

Freeze 24/7′s Anti-Aging Prep and Polish resurfaces, retextures and revitalizes the skin in minutes. You see instant results–which we all love!

The bonus? Clinical studies show, that after 28 days, users see 55% reduction of age spots, 35% reduction of scar intensity, 42% reduction in surface roughness and 37% reduction in sebum content.
Yes, yes, yes and YES!!!
It’s obviously worth its weight in gold and Freeze 24/7 can now count BeautyFrosting as big fan!

So how does it work? It’s a textured exfoliant, which I’m usually not a big fan of, but the diamond-shaped crystals are so smooth and are housed in such a smoothing jojoba concentrate that I loved it! My skin felt exfoliated, smoothed and hydrated and it just glowed! It is said to improve circulation and the production of elastin and collagen with its Active Massage Beads encapsulated in Jojoba, which helps repair skin damage due to aging, sun exposure and environmental aggressors.

It also claims to decongest acne-prone skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines, hyper-pigmentation, age spots and sun spots.

I would encourage anyone with dark spots to try the treatment as it’s an excellent prep product before applying a dark spot-diminishing serum.
And, for about the price of a facial, it will last you for at least 2 months.

Why not try it and see for yourself? Buy at Freeze 24/7.
Just be sure to write BF with the results you see.

 

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: What are your major skin concerns? 

 

In-My-Tub-Tuesday: Mama Mio Omega Body Oil

In-My-Tub-Tuesday: Mama Mio OMega Body Oil ($35)

 

I’m gonna keep this simple and sweet just like the pretty pink product that sits on my vanity sink: Mama Mio Omega Body Oil.

Y’all know I love oil. As I may have mentioned before, my feeling is that women don’t use enough of it.

Why? Fear. Displaced fear. And when 30 comes around, we start seeing the results of our oversight. Fear of what, you ask? Oh, I’ve heard everything: “it’s too rich”, “it’ll break me out”, “I’m oily”, yada yada yada.

It’s not true, ladies. None of it. It’s unfounded fear but nevertheless there is fear out there of oil. Of the good stuff that’s proven to keep your skin younger looking.

But with Mama Mio’s Omega Body Oil, fear not, fair maiden.
Appropriately named as it contains argan, sweet almond, jojoba and safflower seed oils with vitamin E, Omega Body Oil melts into your skin in under 15 seconds flat.

They even call it fast food for dry skin! And this fast food will actually make you look BETTER!! It is your “Gatorade” for instant skin hydration.

Applied right out of the shower (or bath, in my case) onto damp skin, your fear has no place to fester as you are left with only gorgeous, glowing, glistening, youthful, soft and supple skin. The results are instantly apparent making it ideal for date night or any night!

I oiled up before a party last week, wore a dress with spaghetti straps and, kid you not, received over 5 compliments in an hour about my “glowing skin”, “soft skin”, “young skin”. Ok, I admit it, that sold me. Compliments get me every time.

So as Gwen stefani said, a few years back,  Whatcha’ Waitin’ for?

xoxo,

BF

p.s. Besides the instant results, I love the subtle scent and I adore the packaging. I’m partial to pink, y’know?

BF Asks: Do you have a fear of oil or have you seen the glowing light?

 

Dear Dawn: Dry & Red Skin & Another Birthday on the Horizon – Help!

Dear Dawn,

I am about to turn another year older and I am tired of my skin care regimen. I have lots of red in my skin and it seems to be so dry. Any suggestions, BF?

Shelby P & her little beauty

 

Dear Shelby P,

Yes! Well, judging from the precious pic above, it looks like you have your hands full with that little beauty of yours! Which, I imagine, makes your own beauty routine take a backseat many a night.

DD to the rescue! Maybe that’s a little dramatic. I’m no superhero but I think, in this case, I can be of some help. The first thing you need to know, and have faith in, is that there is a solution. We just have to find the perfect recipe that works for your skin.

I have both clients and friends who have had this EXACT concern. They are affected by weather changes, climate changes, foods, wines, stress – by a lot.

My first suggestion is a biggie: try sleeping with your head elevated on 2 pillows. This is a must for skin conditions such as redness, rosacea and puffiness.

My second suggestion is to limit alcohol, excessive caffeine, highly acidic fruits and chocolate.

My third suggestion is to take supplements. Many people, including yours truly find them super helpful. I would suggest Krill oil and an mega-acidophilus supplement, such as Natren Healthy Trinity. Many times taking these produce almost immediate results!

Now that that’s out of the way, on to the fun stuff. THE PRODUCTS!!!!

Many people have found relief with Clinique Redness Solutions. If you haven’t tried that yet, start there. You can get a Clinique Redness Solutions kit, to try it all in one fell swoop (the soothing cleanser, relief cream and SPF 15 protective base), for only $39.50 at Sephora. Click this link to buy: Clinique Redness Solutions Kit.

Clinique Redness Solutions Kit $39.50

Clinique still reigns supreme as head redness fighter in the beauty world simply because it works for so many people and sells for such a reasonable price point.

If you have already tried that, here are some ingredients that I would use to bake up your perfect skincare recipe:

Skincare Recipe for Shelby P:

Morning:
Do not wash face.
If you shower, splash with lukewarm or cool water. No scrubbing. Pat dry.

Apply oil ( try Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil - buy it for $10.34 by clicking on this link).

Sibu Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil

Apply serum (Patricia Wexler M.D. Dermatology MMPi.20 Skin Regenerating Serum - buy for $55 by clicking on this link). Bonus? This doubles as a beautiful slip of a makeup/sunscreen primer!

Wexler MMPI.20 Skin Regenerating Serum

Wexler MMPI.20 Skin Regenerating Serum

Apply SPF cream (Clinique Protective Base SPF 15 or Avene Redness SPF 25 $33)

 

Night:

Wash face with gentle cleanser like Clinique Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser, Eucerin Soothing Cleanser Redness Relief (which is $7.55 on this Amazon link) or Avene Gentle Cleanser for Intolerant Skin (buy it for $22 and receive samples by clicking on this link to Beauty Collection).

Avene Gentle Cleanser for Intolerant Skin at Beauty Collection

Apply oil (again, Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil)

Apply anti-aging serum (like Patricia Wexler M.D. Dermatology MMPi.20 Skin Regenerating Serum) which is amazing for sensitive skin like yours and mine. And it feels deeeeeluxe and deeeeelish!

Apply eye cream of choice (if you don’t have one, ask me!).

Apply rich moisturizer like: Clinique Repair Cream, Eucerin Redness Relief Soothing Night Cream ($11.94 on this Amazon link) or Avene Cream for Intolerant Skin.

*Note:

I’ve also been a big fan of Creme de La Mer for 16 years. So if you are needing a solution, try a sample and see if it’s an option for your skin type.

DDF Redness Relief is another treatment clients have loved.

DDF Redness Relief

Think of the oil and serum as your anti-aging ingredients and the moisturizers and cleansers as your soothing treatments for redness.

In terms of concealing the redness, this is my philosophy: don’t try to cover up all the time. Leave your skin plenty of time to breathe, be treated with the above ingredients and heal.
So while you’re trying this new skincare recipe, I would recommend using concealing makeup only when totally necessary. When you do, try the Allure 2011 Best of Beauty Winner, Clinique Redness Solutions Instant Relief Mineral Powder $32.50.

The pale yellow powder neutralizes the redness rather than just covering it up. I am not a big fan of mineral makeup all the time – quite the contrary, actually- but when it comes to dependable concealing, it is hard to beat.

Clinique Redness Solutions Instant Relief Mineral Powder $32.50

Shelby P, please let me know what ingredients work as we try these products to find your perfect skincare recipe! I can’t wait to hear back in a week or so!
Cheers to beautiful, younger-looking, less pink skin and a more PINK LIFE!!
xoxo,
Dawn/BF
BF Asks: What is your skincare concern?
*Originally published 3/19/12

Darphin 8-Flower Nectar: A BeautyFrosting Hall of Fame product

Darphin 8-flower nectar is a princess among princes.

I love Darphin. I think it’s extremely underrated and underused. Especially for the quality of product they’re offering and (!!!) the fact that it comes dressed in Tiffany-ready boxed bliss.

Daprhin 8-Flower Nectar

This little beauty is not cheap ($150 for .5 ozs that should last you about 2-3 months) but, let me tell you, its results are worth every penny.

As we have covered before, beauties, I looooove oil. I think it’s the most important ingredient in your skincare recipe. Have you added it to yours yet?

If not, meet the creme de la creme of beauty oils.

This is not the oil you start with. This is the oil you arrive at. The Bentley of oils.

This is oil for skin in serious need of renewal, replenishment and rehydration.

(If you need a lighter or more pocket-friendly oil, see here or let me know, and we’ll fix you up). But I couldn’t go another day without telling you about one of my all-time favorite products!

There are lots of oils around the same price point as this little Darphin luxury.

But I have yet to meet an oil as rich, moisturizing, age-defying and youth-blossoming as this one. Darphin’s 8-Flower Nectar is a perfect cocktail of essential vitamins, omega 3 and 6, iris extract, avocado oil and jasmine. It smells buttery and floral (just like my Nanny’s garden did) and is the perfect nightcap to your beauty routine.

I apply it right after my bath, following patting my face dry. It’s my first step on most nights (except those on which I’m exfoliating or using an anti-aging serum). Then it’s on to eye cream and moisturizer.

As you can see here, I’m running low on mine. And this makes me very, very sad.

Darphin 8-Flower Nectar

So what can you expect with this little Darphin gem? Well, there have been times I woke up the next morning, after applying it, and swore I looked 5 years younger. Here are some other words that come up when asking me, my clients and friends about the 8-Flower Nectar:

Magical. Glowing. Clarity. Luxury. Detoxifying. Moisturized. Youthful. Fine line-fighter. Dewy. Beauty potion. Secret weapon. Reverses aging.

It does ALL that. Yes, really.

I also like applying a drop in the morning (after rubbing between my fingertips) to my face – starting under the eye area and on my cheekbones. It’s beautiful for dry skin in need of a boost under makeup!

Try it and let me know what you think.

Beauty and a little renewed youth are but a click away.

 

xoxo,

BF

BF Asks: Have you added an oil to your beauty recipe yet?

In-My-Tub-Tuesday: Freeze 24/7 IceCrystals Anti-Aging Prep and Polish

Freeze 24/7 Anti-Aging Prep and Polish

In-My-Tub-Tuesday: Freeze 24/7 Anti-Aging Prep and Polish ($65)

I was pleasantly surprised after trying Freeze 24/7′s IceCrystals Anti-Aging Prep and Polish ($65)  for the first time this past weekend!

In-My-Tub-Tuesday: Freeze 24/7 Anti-Aging Prep and Polish ($65)

I was told by a former client, who loves the product, that she saw a reduction in age spots, her skin felt softer and she swears she looks at least 5 years younger. Hmmm…put that on the Pinterest “To Try and Buy” board! So I did and I tried.
And I loved!

Freeze 24/7′s Anti-Aging Prep and Polish resurfaces, retextures and revitalizes the skin in minutes. You see instant results–which we all love!

The bonus? Clinical studies show, that after 28 days, users see 55% reduction of age spots, 35% reduction of scar intensity, 42% reduction in surface roughness and 37% reduction in sebum content.
Yes, yes, yes and YES!!!
It’s obviously worth its weight in gold and Freeze 24/7 can now count BeautyFrosting as big fan!

So how does it work? It’s a textured exfoliant, which I’m usually not a big fan of, but the diamond-shaped crystals are so smooth and are housed in such a smoothing jojoba concentrate that I loved it! My skin felt exfoliated, smoothed and hydrated and it just glowed! It is said to improve circulation and the production of elastin and collagen with its Active Massage Beads encapsulated in Jojoba, which helps repair skin damage due to aging, sun exposure and environmental aggressors.

It also claims to decongest acne-prone skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines, hyper-pigmentation, age spots and sun spots.

I would encourage anyone with dark spots to try the treatment as it’s an excellent prep product before applying a dark spot-diminishing serum.
And, for about the price of a facial, it will last you for at least 2 months.

Why not try it and see for yourself? Buy at Freeze 24/7.
Just be sure to write BF with the results you see.

 

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: What are your major skin concerns? 

 

In-My-Tub-Tuesday: Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Oil

Argan oil is one of the most highly praised oils – and for good reason.

It works wonders!

Hence, I was excited to try Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Oil.

Josie Maran Cleansing Oil ($32)

In My Tub Today Right Now: Josie Maran Cleansing Oil ($32)

My first step into the jolie world of Josie was the perfect choice to try.

She’s a successful model and businesswoman whom I admire, and, of all ingredients on earth she could use, she chose to include Argan in her skincare and makeup products.

I started using it last week and fell in love. With a natural scent that reminds me slightly of Baby Tylenol (I LOOOOVE that smell, by the way), it does what it promises to do.

This 3-in-1 miracle cleanser gently removes makeup, cleans, purifies and moisturizes with its amazing anti-aging properties.

And bonus! It also removes those stubborn impurities that stay with us over time.

Say goodbye to those and hello to clean, glowing, moisturized skin!

Argan Oil is known to restore the natural moisture set-point and pH balance in the skin. How? By nourishing skin cells by replenishing essential fatty acids. I know fatty doesn’t sound beautiful but we LOOOOVE fatty acids!

Aside from Argan oil, this supple oil cleanser is derived from amazing almond, sensuous safflower seed and gorgeous grape seed oil. Additionally, the anti-aging/age-defying antioxidants don’t just cleanse the skin’s surface, but give new life to every layer of the skin.

I know what you’re thinking.
An oil to clean? Won’t I be greasy?

Enter BF’s resounding “NOOOOO!” here.

Quite the contrary, my dear.

The non-greasy texture leaves skin feeling moisturized, never tight or dry.

Just supple, beautiful and GLOWING.
And we loooove to glow!

Another little fact I love about it?

As you rub your hands together, the oil gently “heats up” creating a soothing warmth as you apply it on the skin. You feel it working and you like it!

Well, I like it. No, I LOVE IT!

I like to know my skincare is doing something. And yes, Virginia, even my cleanser.

Josie Maran Cleansing Oil ($32)

Josie Maran Cleansing Oil ($32) at Sephora

As I step out of the tub with my skin feeling pampered like a princess, my face all glowing and gorgeous, I also give myself a little high-5 in the mirror for aging as gracefully as possible just by washing my face.

xoxo,

BF

BF Asks: What’s cleanser are you using right now?

In My Tub Tuesday: The glamorous…

We should all be so lucky to have that gorgeous “GLAMGLOW” ($24)… wait…

We all can!

One of my favorite beauty products to launch in 2011 was GLAMGLOW exfoliating mud mask (www.GLAMGLOWMUD.com). It’s rare to find a product that you rave on and on about AND one that works for every skin type. Even more so, a product that you sample and then feel the immediate need to go out and buy!

Awarded “The 2012 Neiman Marcus Beauty Award for Best Quick Fix & Formula”, GLAMGLOW makes us all feel glamorous & pampered by exfoliating, tightening and deep cleaning our skin. Ideal for pre-event primping, or, as a beauty ritual during your weekly exfoliation, you simply cannot go wrong with GLAMGLOW! I promise.

I received GG as a sample in January and I fell in love, I tell you. I applied it to my cleansed face, neck and décolletage, while soaking in my tub. I left it on about 10 minutes (conveniently, just enough time to read a chapter of Hunger Games and have a glass of wine) and sat back with my mudded face, reading, relaxing and letting it do its glamorous work.

How? I applied an even layer of the fresh, herbal-smelling mud, and felt a light tingling sensation, followed by a tightening effect as it dried. Just a warning, beauties: You WON’T look like a beauty during the process. But it’s only 10 minutes so lock the door!

 BOO!

When 10 minutes passed, I washed GG off with water in gentle cirular motions, stimulating greater exfoliation. Easy.

What were the results?

Tickled Pink!!!

And glamorously gloooowing!

I was tickled pink by the tingling mask! My skin has rarely felt so deeply cleansed. I had tighter, super-clean skin with fewer apparent lines, pores and wrinkles. Small lines had seemed to vanish (!) and I felt that it was the perfect complement to my skincare regimen. To be honest, it felt kind of magical to get such dramatic results from a new product. I only wished I ‘d had a party to go that night. Alas, I went to bed. But the very next day, I went out and bought a jar at Beauty Collection.

Now, GlamGlow is a must in my beauty kitchen and it’s one of my fave treats to apply before a big night.

Buy your jar now by clicking on this BeautyFrosting link to BeautyCollection:

BeautyCollection.com

Type  in GlamGlow in the search line and in a few moments, it will be yours!

Xoxo, BF

p.s. Celebs love it, too. Here are some thoughts about GG by a few:

“Love the smell and love the mud mask!” (Natalie Portman)

“My skin looks amazing! GLAMGLOW is my new best friend!” (The Vampire Diaries’ Nina Dobrev)

*Photographs are real and untouched. Hide your children. It’s for the greater good of beauty product discovery.

BF asks: What skincare concerns would you like to see addressed on BeautyFrosting?