Friday, July 25, 2014

Skin Care Antioxidants - How To Get The Most Out Of Them

Last week I wrote about different antioxidants in skin care products, and how to decode them.
Today we are going to look at how to get the most out of the antioxidants in your skin care, in 5 simple steps.

1. Read The Ingredient List.
If the antioxidants in your lotions and potions are at the bottom of the ingredient list they have probably been added as preservatives, and are unlikely to be active ingredients. As such you get no benefit from them.

2. Use A Gel Or A Serum    
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Kate Sommerville Antioxidant Serum

Gels and serums are easier mediums to stabilize the antioxidants in, and typically you will use a serum underneath your moisturizer, which makes it more effective. The heavy hitting ingredients that do the big jobs should ideally be as close to the skin as possible, in the first products you apply.

3. Mix Up A Blend
Antioxidants work synergisticly together and target different free radicals, so the more you have on, the better.
Some skin care products contain blends, but if your don't then layer them.

4. Time It Right
If you pile all your products on top of each other you will have a skincare soup on the surface of the skin, diluting the efficacy of the specialty ingredients. So cleanse your skin, then apply your serum and give it a few minutes to penetrate and soak in. Then apply your moisturizer, again giving it a few minutes (pour yourself a cup of coffee or lay out your clothes etc) then once your moisturizer has absorbed apply your facial SPF.


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Fashion Editor Giovanna Battaglia (Bat Gio) in NYC with Fendi Baguette

5. Know When You Need Them
Antioxidants are a barrier and pacman like combatants to environmental pollutants, so you need to use them at the right time.
For most of us that means applying them in the morning before going out to face the day.
However, if you are going to spend the evening in a smoky bar or be out in the city in the evening its a good idea to have your antioxidant serums on then. 
They are somewhat wasted if you just apply them before bed.

Thursday, July 24, 2014

How To Find The Perfect Dress

Do you ever struggle trying to find the perfect dress
for your body shape, that matches your personal sense of style?

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M.M. LaFleur is a fantastic fashion source that guides you into your perfect dress via their super user friendly website.
The company is the brainchild of the pairing of Sarah, a former corporate worker, and Miyako, a former luxury designer at Zac Posen, and also at Jason Wu (one of my absolute favorite designers) 
The two decided to create the ideal work wear wardrobe options marrying function and form with a high fashion aesthetic.
See their story here.
They wanted to create a better product offering luxury without the huge designer price tag.




They also understood that not all working women have the time to endlessly roam the store racks, so they devised a fabulous web experience where you enter information about your personal sense of style and your body size and shape, and then are shown 4 ideal options to meet your needs.
M.M. LaFleur then ships you 4 dresses, you have 7 days to decide which dresses you want, and then you simply return the ones you don't want with their super simple return kit.
They cover the shipping both ways - its all very simple and efficient.

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To find out the perfect dress for you, simply answer the quick and easy questions here, and you are all set!

Check out some gorgeous images of one of the dress options on one of my absolute favorite blogs, Damsel In Dior
and read what she has to say about M.M. LaFleur

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Into The Blue ~ Fashion Magazine Canada

I love great editorials, and they always provide them.

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In the new issue of Fashion Magazine photographer 
Gabor Jurina takes model Karolina Babczynska 
and his crew to beautiful Bora Bora 
for a divine mid-summer story
of ocean-side luxury that has me craving the beach.

Into The Blue

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Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Josephine Skriver ~ Puglia In Love, Elle Italia July 2014

Danish beauty Josephine Skriver plays a girl in love
enjoying summer in Puglia Italy, with songwriter
Alexander Michael DeLeon in the July 2014 issue
of ELLE Italia.

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Lensed by Dan Martensen with beautiful, subtle, summer makeup
courtesy of Helene Vasnier.
I am loving the maxi wool dress and the Prada Mongolian coat!


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Sunday, July 20, 2014

Bianca Balti For Dolce and Gabbana Fall 2014 Eyewear Campaign

Isn't she just magnificent?

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Bianca Balti fronts yet another campaign
for Dolce and Gabbana, this time its the

The campaign was lensed by Domenico Dolce
and features large frames in classic shapes,
some of which are adorned with flowers,
others in print.
I want the print pair.
Love.


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Friday, July 18, 2014

Bridal Makeup Trends For Fall 2014

Sometimes magazines ask me for my thoughts on products or on upcoming trends in beauty and makeup. 
I invariably forget to repost the articles on my blog, This week Phoenix Bride and Groom Magazine published a story about 
Bridal Makeup Trends for Fall 2014, and featured me in it. The information is relevant both for girls having a fall wedding, and for girls who just enjoy makeup. 
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makeup touchups during a Phoenix Bride and Groom Magazine photoshoot
Here is an excerpt from the article:

What are the makeup trends for Fall and Winter 2014 weddings?
Corinna Cooke:

-Metallic eye shadows are huge for Fall 2014. Stay away from silvers and greys – they can make the skin look cold and can enhance any under eye discoloration you may be wanting to disguise! Opt instead for universally flattering shades of bronze and soft champagne golds.
-Eyes are well defined for fall, and this season they are featuring lots of lashes.
-Skin is glowing for fall winter 2014, so get facials and keep your complexion both exfoliated and hydrated, and use a silicone based foundation such as Makeup Forever HD Foundation or Face Atelier Ultra Foundation to keep the skin looking alive and vibrant.

What about wedding day do’s and don’ts? 
Corinna Cooke:
Make up do’s for your wedding day: make sure your skin is super hydrated before you put makeup on. Drink tons of water in the days leading up to your wedding, and that morning apply moisturizer liberally, giving it at least 30 minutes to soak in before you put on primer and foundation.
Makeup dont’s: Don’t use a lipstick shade that is paler than your own lip color – it will look chalky and unflattering to both your lips and your skin tone. 
Also don’t use Bronzer as a contour product. Bronzer is designed to make your face look like it has been in the sun, and as such is reflective. It will also make your skin look muddy. Contour products are made up of black and grey and are designed to absorb light. Try Makeup Forever Sculpting Kit for a perfect contour.

Follow Corinna on Twitter, Facebook and her blog; check out her blog post and video about bronzing- it’s a must see! http://corinnabsworld.blogspot.com/2011/05/bronzer-101.html

Read the full article here

Thursday, July 17, 2014

How To Decipher Antioxidants In Skin Care Products


Deciphering Antioxidants In Skincare

We all know that antioxidants help us to fight free radicals that we are exposed to through UV Damage, smoking, smog and other environmental pollutants, but in the complex world of skin care products it can be confusing trying to figure out which antioxidants we need on the ingredient list, and what they actually do.
Here is a breakdown of 6 Major Antioxidants 
found in skin care products



Vitamin C. One of the most important antioxidants, Vitamin C is a powerhouse super skin saver.
*It protects the skin’s cells and support structure from UV damage
*It improves the appearance of sun damaged skin
*it reduces inflammation
*It promotes the production of collagen
* It makes micro – derms and peels more effective
* It boosts the effectiveness of sunscreens
*And overall strengthens the skin’s barrier response.

Idebenone Idebenone is a bioengineered cousin of the human antioxidant CoEnzymeQ10, said to be up to 1000x more effective.

*It targets aging at the cellular source, the mitochondria, where it helps to revitalize the skin’s cells by eliminating excess free radical formation that results from the way skin cells make energy.
* It defends cell membranes
*It has an Environmental Protection Factor of EPF 95, the highest rating of all antioxidants tested.
*It is thought to prevent fine lines and wrinkles and protect skin cells
*The healthier the skin is, the more collagen it produces, which makes it look firmer.
* It reduces inflammatory responses in the skin
*It reduces redness and swelling

Green Tea Because it is packed with polyphenols green tea absorbs really well, reducing inflammation and protecting the skin against UV induced DNA damage.
*In some studies it has been shown to neutralize UV light.
*It is thought to prevent skin cancer
*It rejuvenates skin cells
*It can improve psoriasis and dandruff conditions
*It can soothe acne and lighten skin
*It fights free radicals
*It is a natural anti-inflammatory

Coffee Cherry Coffee Cherries are thought to be exceptionally high in “super” antioxidants.

*It is known to be calming and soothing to the skin
*It has anti-inflamatory properties which reduce redness and swelling
*It protects the integrity of the skin’s elastin and collagen, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

Resveratrol protects and defends against free radicals
*It protects against sun damage
*It improves collagen synthesis
*It reduces inflammation
*It reduces cell damage
*some studies have shown that resveratrol can inhibit tumor development

Niacinimide The best of Vitamin B
Niacinamide is the active component in Vitamin B3 and has been shown to strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier and sooth inflammation. This one is definitely on the A-list of supersonic skincare ingredients.
       *It increases ceramide and free fatty acid levels in the skin
* It stimulates microcirculation in the dermis
*It is said to be able to address skin discolorations (often in tandem with Vitamin C and glucosamine)

*It has been shown to reduce acne