There’s nothing I love more than home cookin’. After I moved out of my parent’s house I realized the only way I could consistently get my hands on home-cooked meals was to cook them myself. So, for the past three years I’ve been on a mission to learn how to cook. Pastas, casseroles, roasts, homemade crusts--pie and pizza, biscuits, Italian, Mexican, Cajun, you name it, I’ve cooked it. Along the way, I’ve ruined nearly every shirt I own. Yes, yes, I know, I should have worn an apron. But, I refused to wear any one of the matronly, sexless aprons on the market. And, believe me, I have looked, and looked and looked for an apron that didn’t make me look like Grandma Moses. Well, finally, the search is over! I have found not only an apron, but an entire line of aprons that with a quick tie around my ever-expanding waist (thanks to all that good home cooking) transforms me into the kitchen goddess I aspire to be! Check out the collection at: www.hautehostessaprons.com. Below are a few of my faves!
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Hi ladies! The area under our eyes is super-delicate and seems to age faster than any other part of the face. That’s why any anti-aging skin care regimen has to include a quality eye cream. If you’re in the anti-aging phase like me, a quality eye cream is a must. I’ve done extensive research and concluded that these two products are superior to anything else out there in the market place. But, keep in mind, everyone’s skin is different, and if you’ve found a product that is working for you, by all means stick with it! However, if you’re like me and are still shopping around my research might come in handy.
The Two Eye Creams of the Crop are:
Prevage Eye Aging Moisturizing Treatment: $98
Kinerase Pro+Therapy Ultra Rich Eye Repair: $85
Here’s the low down on Kinerase Pro+Therapy Ultra Rich Eye Repair: It’s a deeply hydrating intensive treatment that improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This velvet rich cream smoothes and moisturizes, leaving the eye are perfectly prepped for flawless makeup application
Here’s what Prevage Eye Aging Moisturizing Treatment promises: “This exclusive eye treatment with I-Seryl Complex and clinically proven Idebenone fights the effects of environmental damage, fine lines and wrinkles, crow’s feet, dark circles and puffy skin. It visibly smoothes, brightens and lifts the look of the eyes.”
I’ve decided to give the Kinerase eye cream a try. I’ll follow up about a month after I’ve started to use it to let you know what I think.
xo,
BB
Flowers were in bloom all over the runways during New York’s Fashion Week. They popped up on dresses, tops, skirts, shoes, accesories and even in the gorgeous locks of the models. I for one am loving all of this floralness! (Remember I’m from the South, I can’t help but love anything floral--Laura Ashley was once my hero.) One of my favorite flowered fashion trends is those gorgeous flower cocktail rings, especially a lovely bunch of rings by Kenneth Jay Lane. They’re in the $90 range and you can buy them at Bloomies or on www.bloomingdales.com (how appropriate). I want the pink one! (Hint! Hint! Valentine, are you reading this???)
The skincare industry is finally giving us solutions for red, blotchy, uneven skin tones! For years I have been on the hunt for a skincare product that deals with redness, blotchiness and skin irritation. As you all know, I am all about anti-aging skincare. Thankfully, there are tons of products that help us slow down the clock on our faces. The problem is that many of the active ingredients in these products—retinol, alpha-hydroxies, beta-hydroxies and the like—can cause redness, blotchiness, and uneven skin tones. So trying to ensure your future face looks great might make your present face a red, blotchy mess! Finally there is a solution!!! Three solutions as a matter of fact!
Indeed, last night during a drugstore run, I came across a new product that promises to “reduce the appearance of discoloration, blotchiness, and uneven skin tone.” It’s a product in the Neutrogena Healthy Skin line called “VisiblyEven.” It’s being billed as a “skin polishing/enzyme treatment.” And the great news is: IT WORKS! I tried it for the very first time last night and I totally noticed a difference right off the bat! After only one use, the redness and blotchiness that I’ve been dealing with for years was way way way improved! According to the back of the tube, a “naturally derived skin brightening enzyme” is what reduces the appearance of discoloration, blotchiness and uneven tone. I don’t really understand what that means, but whatever, it works!
But, if the Neutrogena product doesn’t work for you, I also came across an ad (this happened last night as well!) for two Clinique products that “measurably reduce redness.” One is called “Urgent Relief Cream,” and it’s for sudden flare-ups from weather, stress, cosmetic procedures or other irritants. This cream is meant to calm things down in a hurry, while the second solution, the “Daily Relief Cream” is for persistent redness, “the kind that never seems to go away.” This one says it will even work for “skins with Rosacea.” I’m thrilled that the cosmetic industry is finally developing products to deal with this issue!
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As y’all know, I’m fast approaching 35, but am working hard to hang onto my youthful glow. Every single skincare expert I’ve spoken with has told me that any anti-aging strategy must have a retinol component. That’s because scientific research shows that retinol does indeed slow down the aging process on the face. What is retinol? Retinol is a fancy name for a natural form of vitamin A. How does it help stop the clock? It exfoliates skin to help unclog pores, smoothes out fine lines and wrinkles; increases skin moisture and elasticity and stimulates new collagen production. Whew! This stuff is no slacker! The problem is that many retinol products can cause redness and skin irritation. Indeed, I have tried a few retinol products that have done just that, including prescription Retin-A, the strongest and most potent of the retinol products available. Retin-A did a number on my skin—it made it red, dry, flaky and it caused me to breakout. So for several months I’ve been searching for a retinol product that would provide me the benefits without any of the drawbacks. I have finally found it—its SkinCeutical’s Retinol 0.5. What’s the significance of the “0.5?” Well, a product must have at least 0.5% pure retinol to provide the benefits of the stuff. This product has this amount. The most a product can have is 1% pure retinol. The SkinCeutical 0.5 product is meant to condition skin not acclimated to retinol. Basically, it’s a starter retinol product. After I finish my bottle of Retinol 0.5, I can move up to the SkinCeutical’s 1.0, which has the maximum amount of pure retinol. Hopefully, by then my skin will be able to tolerate this max dose of retinol and I won’t have any of the irritating side effects, like peeling, redness and dryness. I’ve been using the 0.5 for about six weeks and so far so great. Not only am I not having any irritating side effects. As soon as I apply it, it gives my face this lovely sheen. This product has definitely kept its promise to minimize the size of my pores and prevent breakouts. My skin looks great right now, and hopefully, it will look great ten years from now! Although, the SkinCeutical line is mainly sold through dermatologist offices, I have found it online at good old amazon.com, it’s priced at only $46. (A tube of Retin-A will run you over $100!) And just an FYI: many drugstore products list retinol as an active ingredient, but because they do not disclose the percentage of pure retinol within the product, you have no way of knowing if it contains at least the minimum amount necessary to ensure that you receive the benefits of the retinol. That’s yet another reason I feel confident using the SkinCeutical Retinol product line—I know exactly how much I’m getting. So, ladies, if you’re serious about slowing down the clock on your face, you best get you some retinol!
xoxo,
BB
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