Things That Shouldn't Work, But Do

Of all the beauty website and blog owners on the internets, Janice from Specktra.net is pretty much the authority when it comes to MAC. So when she insisted the orangey-tanny-colored 'Saffron' eyeshadow from MAC's Surf Baby! collection would work on me, I listened.

I'll admit I was scared. And to scare me away from color is no mean feat, but this just looked so...orange. And I love orange, I have just never entertained the thought of putting it on my eyes outside of October 31st.

Opening the pan, I was immediately transported back to the time David Hasselhoff (I KNOW) left smears of fake tanner all over my white seats when I was working as a tour guide in Hawaii. Not a necessarily unpleasant experience, but I don't think one needs to associate The Hoff with one's eye shadow.

It actually turned out rather well:

It is...not horrifying. In fact, it is rather flattering. In the pan this shade just looks odd to me but on my skin it does actually enhance the color of my eyes (just as Janice said it would).

Saffron is a Satin, which means that it blends and applies very smoothly and has a slight sheen to its finish (like flat paint versus eggshell). 

I blended Saffron with Lancome's Honeymoon (a pale cream-colored shimmer), made a baby cat-eye with Lancome's Le Crayon Khol in Black Ebony, and finished with Lancome's Virtuose Black Carat Mascara. Brows filled in with Anastasia's Brow Wiz in Ash Blonde.

Great Skin: Miracle Product?

Tiiu Kuik

Countless beauty products are often touted as being 'miracles'.

They can lift your jawline, close your pores, airbrush your forehead, and send you Jon Hamm wrapped in ribbons.

But we all know, somewhere deep in that part of our brains known as the "logic center" (or, "that-place-we-ignore-because-it's-such-a-buzzkill"), that these products do not work as claimed, often because their claims are simply preposterous.

Fortunately for us, there is one product that does work miracles. A product that can smooth your skin, decrease wrinkles, increase collagen, heal photo-damage, fade discoloration, and make all of your other products work better. The product in question really can do all that. It's called...


...Retinol...


The whole Vitamin A molecule is known as Retinol and it is broken down in to smaller pieces known as retinoic acids. Retinol is one of the few substances that has molecules small enough to penetrate the first few layers of skin and actually enter the collagen and elastin layer. Simply put, Retinol is essential for health skin cell function.

There are just a few things to keep in mind when using products containing retinoic acids.

First, only apply to dry skin. Applying a retinoid to damp skin causes it to absorb faster and increases the risk of irritation. Wash your face with a mild cleanser, pat dry, and then go brush your teeth or make your coffee. When you come back, you can then use your retinoid.

Second, start slow. There is a period of time in which your skin adjusts to the effects of Retinol. You will most likely have mild peeling and a bit of sensitivity. This is normal. Choose the lowest percentage of retinol and then work your way up.

Third, use an SPF of at least 15. Every day. Retinol can increase your sun sensitivity so protect yourself. And, honestly, if you don't already use an SPF of 15+ on your face every day then you are just being silly. You know the risks and effects of the sun. You do not live under a rock. Get with it.

**Note** Retinol and retinoic acids are sensitive to oxidation so they should always be packaged or stored in an opaque tube or bottle. Do not buy retinoids in jar packaging.

Some of the best:

TxSystems Afirm

Alpha Hydrox Retinol ResQ

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream

Olay Pro-X Deep Wrinkle Treatment

Serious Skin Care A-Force XR

Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Super Antioxidant Concentrate

The Revolution

theNotice has and incredible feature in their latest post about the new lash innovation.

Urban Decay's "The Revolution"

And innovation it is. This thing looks like something you'd pay $400 for at Design Within Reach. And guess who's a sucker for Scandinavian design, gadgets, things that are shiny, and beauty tools? That's right; this girl.

Ahoy, Sailor! How to be Pale and Wear Navy.

Let's face it: we all love Black. It is comfortable, familiar and, were we in a Sophie's Choice moment where we were forced to choose a wardrobe, we would totally choose it over any color. But is it really the best for the Pale?

Kate Middleton in Alexander McQueen

The thing with Navy is that it's softer than Black and still does all the same glorious things: complements other colors, slims, doesn't show dirt, etc. But most women are at a loss of how to introduce Navy into their wardrobe.

Navy goes with:

Other Neutrals and Primary Colors...

...like Red...

...Khaki and Yellow...

...and White...

Secondary Colors...

...like Orange...

...Green...

...and Pink...

Tertiary Colors...

...other Blues like Periwinkle and Turquoise...

...Purple...

...and Coral...

 If head-to-toe scares you, then start off small:

Dior's F/W Color Collection

Marc Jacobs

See by Chloe

My favorite nail polish, butter LONDON

And, don't forget: you can always mix Navy with more Navy!

If you are one of The Pale, I cannot recommend enough adding some Navy to your wardrobe. It is much less harsh and aging than Black, less draining than Gray, less boring than Brown, and less washy-outty (yes, that's right) than Tan. Also, it's pretty difficult to look like a stereotypical Goth in Navy, even with copious amounts of black eyeliner and an Anarchy pendant from Hot Topic.






*all photos courtesy of their respective owners.

Great Skin: What is it and How do I get it? Part II

Exfoliation

Remember St. Ives Apricot Scrub? Remember how we all had it sitting in our bathrooms next to our bottle of Curve? Yeah, me too.

Apricot Scrub is okay. It's not Awesome, because it can be pretty abrasive and it is really not any better than using a washcloth and a mild cleanser. Plus, it is not good for acne. Blackheads? Maybe. Actual blemishes? No way.  You know when you have a cut or sore on the inside of your mouth and you just Cannot. Leave. It. Alone? Yeah, using a scrub on top of red, swollen acne blemishes is essentially the same. You are just irritating the surrounding tissue and inhibiting healing.

Something else that does not make me crazy about scrubs? You cannot get them anywhere near your eyes. Conversely, there's really no place your washcloth can't go. Basically, whether it's to do with fashion, beauty, or otherwise, I just don't like to feel limited. Scrubs are limiting.

Ones of the Magic Keys to great skin is Exfoliation. The point is to remove dead skin cells, dirt, and makeup and also to increase cell turnover. It also increases circulation and fades wrinkles and discoloration. Exfoliation gets all the gunk out of the way so that your skincare products will work better. There are two types of exfoliation: manual and chemical. I have already written ad nauseum about the benefits of using a washcloth, so let's skip to chemical exfoliation.

Alpha Hydroxy Acid or AHA
The same as glycolic, citric, and lactic acids, AHAs penetrate the skin to increase cell turnover. They increase collagen production and are especially effective on sun-damaged skin.

Best Products containing AHAs:

derma e AHA Beauty Fluid

Olay Regenerist Night Resurfacing Elixir

Paula's Choice RESIST Daily Smoothing Treatment

Beta Hydroxy Acid or BHA
The same as salicylic acid, BHAs reduce inflammation, kill bacteria, and shrink pores. BHAs break down in oxygen, so make sure you do not purchase products that utilize jar packaging.

Best Products containing BHAs:

Cosmedicine Speedy Recovery Daytime Blemish Lotion SPF 15

Paula's Choice 2% Beta Hydroxy Acid Lotion

Neutrogena Oil-Free Stress Control 3-in1 Hydrating Acne Treatment

Great Skin: What is it and How do I get it?

Picture Cate Blanchett. Think of her in the "Elizabeth" days; as Galadriel in "Lord of the Rings"; or as the Saucy One herself: Kate Hepburn.


Now imagine her with Bad Skin.


As much as you hate to admit it, you know this changes things. You may have irregular features or incessantly frizzy hair, but if you have Great Skin you can light up a room.

But what, exactly, is 'Great Skin'? It has even tone and texture, is soft and supple, and has a translucent quality. Now, by 'translucent' I certainly don't necessarily mean 'white'. Translucence appears as a glow from within regardless of ethnicity or heritage.

The way to obtain good tone, texture, softness, and translucence is through regimented skin care. Using the correct products twice a day, combined with a nutritional intake of good fats and tons of water results in pretty skin.

For the next few weeks, I will explore Great Skin in depth, discuss products, and dispel Urban Legends.
Until then, have a dose of Great Skin Eye Candy:

Jourdan Dunn

Ziyi Zhang

Lily Cole

Kate Winslet

Salma Hayek