“Fashions fade, style is eternal.” - Yves Saint Laurent

Monday, June 20, 2011

How To: Choosing an Anti - Wrinkle Cream

"It's better to start prevention of wrinkles rather then to treat severe wrinkles later!"

It is never too early to start searching for a wrinkle cream.
As we get older, our face begins to lose its elasticity. Fat cells in the face begin to loosen and pull apart, causing the skin to lose its ability to bounce back and prompting the appearance of sags and lines that 
deepen into furrows. Scary right?! Wrinkle creams are part of my daily routine. I place mine under my makeup as a base and at night before sleep.

The effectiveness of anti-wrinkle creams depends in part on the active ingredient or ingredients. Here are some common ingredients that may result in slight to modest improvement in the appearance of wrinkles.

Retinol. Retinol is a vitamin A compound, the first antioxidant to be widely used in nonprescription wrinkle creams. Antioxidants are substances that neutralize free radicals — unstable oxygen molecules that break down skin cells and cause wrinkles. Retinol is less potent than the vitamin A derivative tretinoin, a topical treatment approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating wrinkles. Tretinoin is available only by prescription. Avoid vitamin A derivatives if you are pregnant or may become pregnant, because they may increase the risk of birth defects.

Hydroxy acids. Alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids and poly hydroxy acids are synthetic versions of acids derived from sugar-containing fruits. These acids are exfoliants — substances that remove the upper layer of old, dead skin and stimulate the growth of smooth, evenly pigmented new skin. Because hydroxy acids increase your susceptibility to sun damage, always wear sunscreen during use and for at least one week afterward.

Coenzyme Q10. Coenzyme Q10 is a nutrient that helps regulate energy production in cells. Some studies have shown reduction in fine wrinkles around the eyes with no side effects. Other studies show that application before sun exposure protects against sun damage.

Copper peptides. Copper is a trace element found in every cell. In products applied to the skin, it's combined with small protein fragments called peptides. Copper peptides enhance wound healing. They also stimulate production of collagen and may enhance the action of antioxidants.

Kinetin. As a plant growth factor, kinetin may improve the appearance of wrinkles and uneven pigmentation with minimal irritation. It's unclear how it works, but it may help reduce wrinkles by helping skin retain moisture and by stimulating the production of collagen. It may also be a potent antioxidant.

Tea extracts. Green, black and oolong tea contain compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Green tea extracts are the ones most commonly found in wrinkle creams.

How To Choose The Best Face Creams For Your Skin
There are many different types of face creams that will help you reduce the appearance of wrinkles, those for oily skin, those for extremely dry and inflamed skin or those that simply moisturize. How can you determine the best cream available with such a  wide range? When choosing the best anti wrinkle cream, just take a look at your particular needs. If you are thinking that one aspect needs attention, then choose a product with that specific treatment. 

I'ts important that you read the package and see what ingredients have been used  in the product so you know what to look out for and what ingredients to stay away from. Alcohol for instance can irritate your skin by drying your skin layer and taking off the acid needed to protect your skin layer from viruses and bacteria. Mineral oil is also present as a key ingredient in many creams and cosmetics. Mineral oil also known as paraffin, paraffin wax or even petroleum and it is often used to wax surfboards and cars. This ingredient can clog up your pores and slows skin's ability to eliminate toxins, thus preventing your skin from breathing and leading to acne outbreaks.

Natural face creams might contain a range of different vitamins:  Vitamin A for example can exfoliate the top layer of your skin and gradually smooth out the  appearance of fine lines so look out for anti-wrinkle creams containing this ingredient.Another powerful ingredient is Vitamin C, which acts as an antioxidant and can penetrate up to seven layers deep down into the skin to prevent radical skin damage before it occurs and Vitamin E which can help repair skin damage and its great for dry, inflamed and burned skin. Vitamin E is often present in creams that offer sunscreen protection, so look out for creams that offer at least SPF 15 to protect your skin from damaging UV rays. The best face creams will contain natural ingredients and these will guarantee to work better in your skin.

Do your research, watch reviews and be sure to stay clear of harmful products that will damage your skin rather then help it! Good luck ladies! If you have any questions please ask :)


Saturday, June 18, 2011

Giveaway:SheSpeaksofBeauty.com CLOSED



Contest Entry Rules: 
Please read carefully or entry will not be valid
  • You must be a public follower & reader of my blog.
  • For an extra entry, follow me on twitter @RenayShanel & tweet about this giveaway. (let me know your twitter name & provide the tweet link)
  • For an extra entry, tweet about this giveaway for another entry. (also point it out in your comment)
  • For an extra entry, link this giveaway on the side of your page (again, link please)
Make sure you leave your email address so I can contact you.


There will be 2 winners! 
  • 1st Prize winner will receive the 6 color palette above from MAC Tartan Tale collection in "Play It Cool", MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in " Soft&Gentle" as well as two eye shadows from MAC "Go" , "All Races" & "Concrete" 
  • 2nd Prize winner will recieve a $10.00 gift card to ULTA Beauty!! :) 
THE FINE PRINT Please be sure to submit your entries by July 26th 2011! The winners will be selected from random.org Once chosen and emailed the winner(s) will have 72hours to respond or a new winner will be drawn. This giveaway is to celebrate 
...She Speaks of Beauty finally going .com! :) Good luck friends :)

Thursday, June 16, 2011

BirchBox: June


I love the products that I received but I must tell you one thing. Shipping was told to arrive on the 10th of the month and it was a week late! The tracking number did not even work until the morning of shipment. I hope that next month the package comes on time other then that everything is perfect :)


1. Juice Beauty - Full Strength Green Apple Peel 2fl oz $45.00
Give yourself a  pr-vacay with this fast acting peel, which uses organic fruit acids to dissolve dead skin cells.

2. Kate Spade - Twirl 1.7 Fl Oz $65.00 This flirty scent feels carefree and joyful - Just the thing to wear on your adventures at home and abroad. 

3. Laura Geller Baked Blush N' Brighten 0.32 Oz $29.50
Made in Italy this swirl of warm and cool tones is infinitely versatile - dust your cheeks for a flattering flush or use the lighter shades as a highlighter.

4. Sircuit Cosmeceuticals - Molecular Mist 1fl oz $28.00
This high-tech spray uses heavy water to keep your skin hydrated all day. Use it pre-moisturizer, as an in-flight refresh, or to set makeup.

5. Deborah Lippmann - Stripper to go nail lacquer Removers 10 Mitts $12.00
Fix your mani on the fly! Each handy packet contains a remover soaked "mitt" that erases polish without drying out nails.



Sunday, June 5, 2011

Review: The Body Shop Mango Lip Butter


Cost: $8.00 USD
Size: 10 ml


Product Description:
With shea butter from Ghana and Community Trade beeswax from Zambia to keep lips lush.... 


Packaging:
The lid screws on, so there’s no worrying about it popping off! Ive ruined a lot of handbags that way :( The label on top of the lid features pictures of a sliced mango as the background, and printed on top is the company logo and product name in both English and French. The bottom label peels back to reveal a list of ingredients. You may have to squint a bit but I will list them at the end of the review. hehe


Scent:
MANGO! The mango is subtle and it's mainly a citrus scent, it smells wonderful. I love it. I'm a big fan of fruit like smells.


Texture & Application:
The texture is like a whipped butter. I dont find it to be oily or sticky. It applies nice upon the lips and after time the product sinks into the skin.The lip butter is indeed very soft, creamy, and smooth and the perfect balance between light and heavy. I find it nice to exfoliate the lips, when my lips are a bit dry I pat this on and the flakes disappear in the silkiness of the butter!


Ingredients:
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Ricinus Communis (Castor Seed) Oil, Beeswax, Brassica Campestris/Aleurites Fordi Oil Copolymer, Lanolin, Mangifera Indica (Mango Seed) Butter, PEG-8 Beeswax, Flavor, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Silica, Limonene, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Tocopherol, Geraniol, Linalool, Citral, Titanium Dioxide, Yellow 5 Lake, Red 7 Lake.

Key Ingredients:
  • She Butter - Shea butter is one of nature's great moisturizers. 
  • Mango Seed Oil - Moisturizes the skin.
  • Organic beeswax - Moisturizes and helps to condition dry skin. Acts as a barrier that helps to seal in moisture. Helps to keep product texture consistent when used over time.