Interesting Beauty products

another interesting read!
source: ivillage

Weird, Wacky, Effective Beauty Goodies

By Ysolt Usigan

Just because something may seem a bit weird doesn't mean it's bad. In fact, what makes these products wacky is what makes them so effective. Read on for our list of offbeat goodies that will beautify, rejuvenate and shock you (in a good way)...

1) botox alternative


At $500 a jar, Doctor D. Schwab's Alphasomes RC Rejuvenate and Correct is less expensive than Botox, not to mention a lot safer (it's derived from vegetables). The cream will prevent the breakdown of your skin's elastin. Basically, RC Rejuvenate and Correct will correct skin tone, firm skin and prevent the development of new wrinkles and crow's feet, without a needle.

kimmei's thoughts: now if i had a million dollars....hmmm how about no =P

2) the best cure for chapped lips

Sometimes lip gloss just won't do the trick. You apply, but it only masks your chapped lips underneath. Jane Iredale's Sugar&Butter lip duo ($24 at JaneIredaleDirect.com) is the latest chapped-lip antidote. Use the lip exfoliator (a combo of beeswax and organic brown sugar) to lift dry skin. Lick off the remains (yes, lick off the remains). Then, use the tinted plumper (it's like butter) as you normally would any gloss.

3) a curling iron...for what?

eyelash curling iron:

While the thought of using a curling iron on your fragile eyelashes sounds super-scary, the Artemis Woman's Double Curl gently heats and curls. Its two heated pads change from orange to white when it's ready. Be careful — don't keep it on for too long. When used properly, the Gentle Heat Lash Curler ($14.99 at ArtemisWoman.com) will give you bold, beautiful lashes.

4) this body treatment is hot

fountain of youth in a jar

Don't be alarmed when you use Ole Henriksen's African Red Tea Self-Heating Body Souffle ($65 at OleHenriksen.com). The warming vibration is normal. This natural wonder is great for all skin types and slows down the aging process. African red tea embodies warming powers that stimulate circulation and penetrate muscle tissue, which will relax you and soften your skin in the process. Just massage onto damp skin with vigorous strokes and exaggerated tapping motions.

5) if you don't know how to apply eyeshadow

Whether you're lazy or don't have a steady hand, this Instant Eye Shadow Applicator from Color On Professional makes putting on makeup as simple as can be. Just place over a closed eyelid and peel. The variety 10-pack kit, which retails for $30 at ColorOnPro.com, comes with pairs of Sunset Beach (peachy), Elle (dark violet), Ibiza (deep browns), Laguna (purple) and Noche (smoky).


6) the miracle pillow

remove wrinkles while you sleep
kimmei's thoughts: whoaaa haven't heard of this one...

It sounds outlandish, we know. Removes wrinkles while you sleep? This can't be true, but according to Cupron, manufacturer of towels, sheets, pillowcases and socks, it is. They just came out with a super pillow ($45.99 and up at Cupron.com) that rejuvenates your skin within the first four weeks of use. The idea is that natural copper heals. This pillowcase, harnessed with that power, will prevent wrinkles and improve your skin's overall appearance while you sleep. Talk about a beauty nap!


7) tweezers with attitude

Sure, it's a painful activity. No one likes to pluck. But with these snazzy tweezers from Japonesque, you can add a hint of fun to hair removal. Choose from blue flowers, pink flowers, tiger (pictured) and moon. The Japonesque Limited Edition Artisan Flat Tip Tweezers are $20 at Ulta locations nationwide.

8) beauty goes vegan

Surya Brasil's new Amazonia Preciosa body care boasts secrets from the Amazon. The entire line is also vegan and doesn't contain sulfates, artificial dyes, and artificial fragrance that can sometimes affect sensitive skin. Even better, the pots containing these products are 100 percent biodegradable with no chemical ingredients in their composition. Once discarded, they degrade naturally after eight months. Choose from liquid hand soap, shower gel, facial toner, hands and body lotion, leg and foot balm, massage oil, facial mask with clay, facial moisturizer and clay mask at SuryaCosmetics.com.

9) rare $400 hair oil

Longhairlovers Rare Hair Oil promises unprecedented growth and conditioning. The at-home hair treatment is made out of the finest, not to mention most expensive all-natural ingredients. If your hair is thinning or dry, this offbeat beauty goody will stimulate cell growth, soothe sensitive scalps and provide radiant sheen. It'll set you back $400 for a 4 oz. bottle at LongHairLovers.com, but it's worth it. This product delivers on its promises.

kimmei's thoughts: uhhhh no, 100 dollars an oz? i'll stick with la mer

10) get the princess treatment

Based on an Indonesian marriage ritual, Mande Lular's Sanctuary Spa collection combines jasmine, ylang-ylang (small flower of the cananga tree), coconut milk and exotic spices. Such things are used in the traditional pre-marriage ritual practiced on Indonesian princesses. Soak in the Mande Lular Sensuous Bath Creme ($16.99 at Target stores nationwide now and Target.com after January 20) for the first part of your beauty ritual. The honey, aloe vera, coconut milk and exotic spices will carefully nourish, soothe and moisturize your skin.

kimmei's final thoughts: wow i found a lot of interesting products i never heard about. hope you enjoyed reading it! =P

Beauty tips

here is an article i read from cosmopolitan. :) enjoy!
source: cosmopolitan

Wacky Beauty Tips That Work

Toothpaste on a zit? Vinegar in your hair? Some of that ridiculous-sounding advice you've heard in passing is really right on.

Photo: Patrick Demarchelier

You've been told this line before: "Okay, I know it's weird but...." What follows is a surprising piece of advice — about anything from clearing up a zit to taming a flyaway — that totally does the trick. Call it word-of-mouth beauty. Sure, these tips might sound strange at first ("You put diaper cream where?!"), but there's a logic to them. We rounded up tons of such pointers (from pros as well as real girls) and tested them at Cosmo. Though a few clunkers had to be kicked to the curb, all the rest, presented here, are real gems.

1) Powder Your Roots
If your hairline starts to look greasy, dig up a big, fluffy makeup brush, and dip it into a pot of loose powder. Tap it once on the back of your hand to remove the excess, then dust it over your roots. It mops up oil and blends into your strands, so no one will know you didn't shower.

2) Scent Strands with Perfume
Spray a light shot of fragrance into the bristles. Run it through strands from roots to ends and your hair will smell amazing throughout the day.

3) Cure Calluses with Vaseline
Slather on the petroleum jelly, and put on socks before bed to dissolve tough calluses overnight.

4) Spot-Treat Smudges
Dip a cotton swab in eye-makeup remover, and trace it along your lids to erase any slipups or goofs when there's no time to redo your whole look.

5) Fix a Flushed Face
If you turn red and stay that way after exercising (like seriously red for hours, even though you're healthy and hydrated), take an antihistamine like Benadryl when you leave the gym to reduce redness.

6) Soften Your Bod with Avocado
Take a ripe avocado, remove the pit and skin, and mash it up in a bowl. Slather it all over your body, let it sit for 20 minutes, then rinse off. Your skin will be sooo soft — avocado is a natural moisturizer.

7) Super-Glue a Nail
Instead of tearing off your nail when it breaks, put a tiny dab of Super Glue over the split, and paint a generous layer of your favorite nailpolish shade over it. Go for an opaque option (like red, purple, or coral) to camouflage and seal the crack.

8) Use Makeup Remover on Stubborn Lipstick
Don't try to rub off red lipstick (which makes it smear across your mouth — not so sexy). Instead, take a cotton ball or tissue, dip it in makeup remover, and just dab to erase the dark stain fast.

9) Tame Brows with Eye Cream
Pat any kind of rich eye cream over brows to help keep them hydrated and banish those icky white specks that look like dandruff.

10) Buff with Baking Soda
If you find yourself streaking (not glowing) after applying self-tanner, put some baking soda on a loofah, and scrub away the stripes.

11) Brush on Hair Spray
For the final step of your blow-dry, spray hair spray onto your brush, and run it through strands from roots to tips. This way, your do isn't so plastered and stiff but still holds volume and shine.

12) Boost Body Lotion with Baby Oil
If you're craving shiny legs that aren't greasy, blend a drop of baby oil into your normal body lotion for extra luster.

13) Dab Essential Oil on a Hangnail
Put on apricot oil, the kind found in health-food stores, to protect cuticles from turning rough and raggedy.

14) Quell a Cold Sore with Cream
When a cold sore is coming on, dab a bit of thick moisturizer, like Aquaphor, over it to prevent it from getting worse.

15) Freeze Your Eyeliner
If the tip of your eyeliner pencil crumbles and smears on your lids, store the liner in the freezer for 15 minutes before use so the tip is firm and goes across your skin smoothly.

16) Use Toothpaste on a Zit
Use just a pea-size amount. Let sit for 15 minutes to absorb the oil so the pimple won't get more clogged, then wash off.

17) Heat Up Your Curler
If you have stick-straight lashes, try blasting your metal eyelash curler with a hair dryer for a couple seconds to heat it up so your lashes bend more easily. And use a waterproof mascara. The formula dries faster than other mascaras, so it sets the curl more effectively.

18) Use Soap Without Water
You know those fancy bars that are actually too pretty to use? Toss them in your underwear or tee-shirt drawers to make your skin smell delicious.

19) Groom Brows with a Toothbrush
Mist an (unused!) toothbrush or eyebrow comb with hair spray to help flatten and tame unruly brows.

20) Put Diaper-Rash Cream on Dry Spots
Slather on a thick layer of diaper-rash cream to heal cracked elbows and feet.

21) Lubricate Your Lashes
An easy way to draw attention to your eyes without putting on a pile of makeup is to comb petroleum jelly lightly through the tips of eyelashes to get a sexy, subtle sparkle.

22) Steamroll Flyaways
Spray on hair spray, then roll the can over your strands. The round bottle fits the curved shape of your head, locks in the spray, and flattens out frizz.

23) Spike Lotion with Bronzer
If you don't have time to book a self-tanning session, mix a few pumps of body bronzer with regular hand lotion and pat it on your legs for a gradual dose of sexy, beachy color.

24) Air-Dry Your Curls
Let your hair dry indoors before going out in the cold. The curls will be really bouncy and piecey-perfect.

25) Press a Tea Bag on Splotches
If your skin is sensitive or just looking irritated and puffy for some reason, steep a bag of green tea for a minute or two, let it cool down, and dab it over your face. The antioxidants in the tea take down inflammation.

26) Shave with Conditioner
Ran out of shaving cream? Do double duty by coating your stems with a thick hair conditioner. It softens the hair so it's easier to shave off and makes legs feel amazingly silky.

27) Amp Shine with Vinegar
Mix one part vinegar with four parts carbonated water, and soak dry hair. Leave on for 15 minutes before you shampoo to lock in shine and combat dullness.

28) Exfoliate Your Pits
If your underarms start to look dry and flaky, an easy trick is to exfoliate them with a gentle face scrub to keep that skin pretty when going sleeveless.

29) Customize Your Body Lotion
Instead of shelling out for an expensive perfumed body product, you can make your own by pouring a few drops of fragrance into any scent-free lotion. Rub it on-the scent will last for hours.

30) "Brush" with Mouthwash
If you're too wiped out after a late night of partying to clean your teeth, rinse with water and mouthwash, then use a dry toothbrush on the area where your teeth hit your gums.

31) Make an Egg-White Mask
To revive tired, dull skin without hitting the spa table, try this: Crack open an egg in a bowl, separate the yolk, and use the egg whites to make a face mask. The proteins help to heal and restore skin's moisture. Leave it on for five minutes, and rinse off.

32) Dry Sensitive Skin with T.P.
Instead of drying your face with a scratchy towel, pat with toilet paper-it's ultrasoft on delicate skin (and bums!).

Beauty Article I wrote for my a newsletter at school

Hi everyone,

This is an article I wrote for a newsletter at school back during winter time. :) hope you enjoy!

Luscious Looks by Kimmei

(Face mind and body)

Today, I would like to remind everyone that being healthy not only means eating the right healthy foods to get your essential minerals and vitamins and energy, but also exercising well and taking good care of your skin.

This is the time of year when winter is fast approaching. Lately, have you noticed a certain dryness to your skin, particularly your face? If you are one of the lucky few who do not experience this affliction, you are very lucky to have such good genes. Winter weather is harsher on the skin; therefore you need to use a good moisturizer during the day as well as night time. Not only that, but you also need to use the right products. A product that says that it will help you get rid of blemishes or “heal” your skin may not actually do so. Therefore you need to vamp up your vocabulary in terms of ingredients to learn about those ingredients that are harmful for your skin

Please please please, if you can, buy products with these ingredients: (DMAE, Alpha Lipoic Acid, and Co-enzyme 1o), they are very good for your skin and will help nourish it.

Beware that some products are not intended to be used during the daytime, to do otherwise could disastrously result in redness or severe irritation. For example, Proactiv face products with the cleanser, toner, and repairing lotion…I highly do not recommend using this during the day, unless you have lathered on a good sunscreen in the process. I have heard that it has a chemical that is highly affected by the sun’s harsh rays. So whatever you use, please put on sunscreen, preferably 5 minutes after you put on your moisturizer for the sunscreen to have its full effect on your skin.

I am constantly looking for and buying new skincare products, and have discovered this awesome organic line called Juice Beauty. It has high reviews and really makes your skin glow; however it is on the pricey end. My favorite 2 oz bottle of Juice Beauty Green Apple moisturizer with spf 15 is a whopping $38 at Sephora. However, do not despair if you are a poor college student, there are plenty of affordable products at drugstores like the Anti-wrinkle Neutrogena cream that I swear by. Anti-wrinkle you say? Yes, anti-wrinkle. Not that I am scared of getting wrinkles, this cream just moisturizes my skin so well and makes my face feel like…. dare I say a Baby’s butt. I do hope that I do not get wrinkles at this age; however, later on, I hope I can be one of those women who can proudly look into the mirror, wrinkles or no, and feel good and beautiful about themselves. Here are some products I recommend through my own personal use:

Eye care:

For those of you experiencing under eye bags, I highly recommend purchasing the RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream. Some have said it works better than my most beloved Crème de la Mer. (Available at Walgreens for $20 or www.drugstore.com)

Lip Care:

Please buy lip balms or chapsticks with an SPF of 15, any more is unnecessary.

-I recommend Bourjouis de nuit Night lip balm (Available at sephora for $10)

Body Care:

Highly recommend Yes to Carrots Body Butter (which you should apply right after you get out of the shower when your skin is still dewy, it simply sinks into the skin leaving a non greasy feeling as well as not going against whatever perfume you would like to use. (Available at Walgreens. A set which includes this is selling for $20)

There is just so much to say about skincare (like face masks, exfoliating treatments) that I could go on a full day just talking about it, so please, if you have any questions or comments, feel free to email me at makeupfairytale@gmail.com. Until next issue, Happy Skincare!