I’m sure you have all heard that getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night is optimal for your health. Sleep is our bodies’ way of renewing itself and recuperating from the stress and the daily wear and tear of life. I honestly try to get my full 7 to 8 hours, heck, and I’d love 9 if I could manage it, but realistically women have many responsibilities that don’t always stop when the lights go off.  Between pets, kids and toys that spontaneously start *bleeping* in the wee hours, we often don’t get what our bodies need.

I recently received a letter from a busy mother of four even busier children. Becky writes,

Dear Jen,

I have a question for my friend the beauty blogger….what can I do about these puffy, dark eyes that I have? (Thanks in large part, I am sure to my beautiful new daughter! ) Do you have any ideas? I am currently using a Bobbi Brown eye moisturizing cream, but it does not seem to be doing the trick. I’d love any ideas.

I completely understand Becky, the one place that really shows the lack of sleep (and our age) are our eyes. (more…)

First off, my apologies all around for being MIA last week. My husband came home after a little bit of time in the desert and I took some time with my family for a vacation. And while it may have left you feeling unloved my dears, it was certainly worth it when I heard my 2 year old wake in the middle of the night and call for her daddy to comfort her.

So now onto the stuff you really care about, this weeks product review!
Chella Professional Skin Care is one of those companies that has somehow managed to fly under my radar for way too long. Focusing solely on their dedication to charities it’s a company I can support, but there are plenty of other reasons to try these products as well. Lots of research and plenty of proven botanical ingredients certainly don’t hurt.

With oily, blemish prone skin I have occasion to use clay masks on a regular basis. They’re great for drawing out impurities and helping to clear my skin during the most troublesome of breakouts. However, they also have a tendency to be very drying and can be too harsh for sensitive or delicate skin types, and sometimes even oily skin. Chella’s Balancing Clay Mask (more…)

For the past 7 months, I have been using prescription strength Retin-A.

Retin-A , Renova and/or Generic Tretinoin Cream is an emollient and is much less harsh than what I tried as a teenager. I have read that every person over 30 can benefit from using Retin-A. That is unless you are pregnant.

After mentioning using Retin-A in a recent post, Marilyn made the comment:

“I used Retinoids in my 40’s – they are great – but insurance companies are extremely hesitant to cover the prescription products (Retin A comes to mind), which from my experience, give the best results. Stupid insurance companies.” (more…)

During this back-to-school frenzy, who acknowledges the poor parents that have to get up EVEN EARLIER, to help their children make this transition?

These next weeks are going to be brutal on all of us.  So to help ease into this early morning routine, how about a great way to rejuvenate and repair your skin in the evening time?  I think it is high time for a giveaway!

Mythbuster Beauty is going to give away one Jan Marini AGE Intervention Regeneration Facial Mask (which retails for $90 online).

The AGE Intervention Regeneration Facial Mask is an entirely new concept in topical anti-aging and skin regeneration that benefits any skin type.  It incorporates resurfacing technology with a host of powerful anti-aging anti-inflammatories including the new red wine longevity extract, Resveratrol, all combined with a remarkable skin rebuilding peptide blend.

• Gives skin a beautifully resurfaced and luminous appearance
• Delivers and infuses superb skin rebuilding, anti-inflammatory and repair properties
• Leaves skin noticeably softer and rejuvenated for days
• Provides amazing progressive benefits for any skin type and condition

The deadline for this contest is Monday, September 14, 2009. All rules are found in the Contest Machine box.

I would consider myself the perfect candidate for retinol products. I have minimal fine lines, mostly on my forehead, and I am still prone to acne as I age (which I consider entirely unfair btw). My skin tends to be pretty tolerant of  the expansive number of products I try, and I rarely have problems with sensitivity to ingredients. A retinol product would seem like the perfect thing to treat my blemish prone skin and reduce those fine lines.

Enter Replenix Retinol Plus smoothing serum. I received mine in the 10x formula and was instantly impressed. There are a number of things that make Replenix different from other retinol treatments, and I like them all.  The first thing is the high concentration of green tea polyphenols. Polyphenols became popular a while back when people realized their powerful anti oxidant properties. They help to minimize sun and free radical damage, and are very soothing to the skin. Caffeine is also included in this formula and serves as a mild vasoconstrictor, which can help with the appearance of rosacea. Also included is my old favorite Hyaluronic Acid, and Retinol in varying amounts according to which formula you choose. The only thing that leaves me puzzled is a healthy dose of Dimethicone. Since this is a product meant to be used at night, I don’t see a need for the smoothing and priming that dimethicone offers. I suppose you could argue that the “wall” dimethicone creates over your skin helps to keep the effective products in, but I’m just not sold on its necessity. (more…)

I’ve actually heard the MaMa Lotion named bounced around occasionally in conversations about acne, but I’d never gotten around to trying it. Recently I got to remedy that, with the opportunity to try MaMa Lotion as well as a couple products from the newest MaMa line, M2.

The formulation for these may seem like a typical AHA product, but there are a few subtle differences. For one thing, they contain Mandelic and Malic acids. Malic acid is the acid found in tart apples and as an additive in candies like SweetTarts. Malic acid brightens and helps to hydrate the skin. Mandelic acid is derived from bitter almonds and is a great antioxidant which also has antibiotic properties, in addition to the regular exfoliating properties of AHAs. One of the key things about the choice to use Mandelic acid is that the molecules are larger than glycolic acid and are generally more tolerated by the skin. Together, these two ingredients play off one another and boost the efficacy beyond what would be available from only one of them. And, because they’re more easily tolerated than some other acid products they can be ideal for sensitive aging skin, particularly aging skin that is still battling mild to moderate acne. (more…)

It’s been a while since I’ve mentioned one my favorite all-natural skin care companies on the planet, suki.  After being introduced to suki’s lemongrass cleanser a few summer’s ago, I included it in one of Mythbuster Beauty’s very first posts.  I also was able to interview the founder and name behind the brand, suki kramer.  Since then, suki’s uncompromising integrity and skin science smarts has led to the development of the sukispa line.

The first product I tried from the sukispa line was their renewal bio-resurfacing facial peel. My face, neck and decollete feels so smooth and soft after using this.  All with no irritation, intense redness or burning like other enzyme masques I have tried. (more…)

Many of us would like to use Alpha Hydroxy Acids but cannot tolerate using Gylcolic Acid (the most commonly used and considered one of the harsher forms of AHA’s). So what do you do if you want the exfoliating and anti-aging benefits of using an AHA, but have sensitive skin?  I recently discovered a wonderful Gylcolic Acid alternative skincare line called NuCelle.   Not only does it incorporate the use of the a gentler Mandelic acid AHA, NuCelle has created a skincare line that responds beautifully with sensitive, dry, oily or acne prone skin.

The secret ingredient that will reveal your naturally beautiful skin is NuCelle’s almond-based Mandelic Acid. Physicians have long recognized the powers of this anti-bacterial alpha-hydroxy to treat common skin problems such as photo-aging, irregular pigmentation, and acne. (more…)

A little over a year ago, tarte cosmetics was one of the first companies Jen introduced to me that I hadn’t tried before. I remember first trying their cheek stains and just falling in love with the whole concept and ease of the product. Then I tried the lights camera lashes mascara, and the light, natural look and feel of the formula made me realize tarte is really on to something.

The ’spring greening’ palette had a few nice surprises for me as well. The straw case is reusable (my son has already claimed it as the future home of his hockey card collection) and even the foam tray inside is constructed of post consumer recycled material.  It features 6 eye colors, a bamboo handled shadow brush, and 3 of their t5â„¢ infused lipglosses. t5â„¢ is tarte’s proprietary blend of 5 super fruits, packed full of antioxidants and nutrients, and it gives you a healthy anti aging boost in a product you were going to apply anyway. (more…)

As the self proclaimed “rockstar mama” here at MBB, I thought I’d share my gift ideas for the  out of this world ladies in your life. I’m here to represent the music lovin’, hair colorin’, ice cream eatin’, Doc Marten wearin’ soccer moms. We walk that fine line between responsible and rockin, and we do it with flair!

First, the easy one:
Gift cards. Get me a gift card for Sephora or Beauty.com so I can browse to my little hearts content and pick out my very own goodies. Personally, I’d be doing my shopping online after my kids are asleep, but I bet if you offer to watch the children for your significant other while they head to the mall for makeup and lunch it would be a much better gift and score you some serious points!

Basa Body Products:
In case you didn’t know, coconut is good for your outside AND your insides. My sister in law regularly uses it on toast in place of butter, and it’s one of the main ingredients on a great body cream she sometimes makes me. Alas, until she gets her formula fine tuned, I have to buy my lotion elsewhere. Basa Body uses organic virgin coconut oil in their products, and I believe it really makes a difference. I’m not nuts about coconut’s scent, so I find the light citrus tang very pleasant. I really enjoy how quickly this absorbs, you’re rubbing it in and then *poof*, it’s gone and your skin is soft. I would love to try the chocolate cherry truffle soap, it sounds fantastic and nourishing. In the Kiss Me Pack you’ll receive the chocolate cherry truffle soap, a mint truffle soap, the Basa Body stick, and the Basa body coconut oil lotion. Right now the set is on sale for $29.99, PLUS if you use the code “momitforward” before May 12th you’ll receive an additional 10% off the pack!  This company doesn’t just make products, they make a difference. I encourage you to visit their site and see for yourself some of the wonderful things they do that we’ll be writing about next week. It’s a gift with a purpose! (more…)