After reading a compelling review of Clinique’s Clarifying Makeup Clear Skin Formula from Kate at Megsmakeup.com, it led to my stopping by the Clinique counter.  After discussing the pros and cons of this particular foundation, the Clinique Beauty Advisor said that she thought the newly re-formulated Superfit Makeup would be a better match for my particular skintype (combination and almost 40 yr. old skin).  Clinique changed the formula to enable this foundation to wick away sweat and excess oil and eliminate the midday shine or the late day fadeout.  After the Clinique Advisor applied this to my face and I felt it on my skin, I was sold.

This foundation blends well into the skin and provides buildable medium coverage, but I have noticed two problems while using it.  While Superfit makeup works well on my drier cheek areas, it looks a bit too shiny on my forehead and chin.  This might be due to some added light diffusers or shimmer in the foundation.  The other issue was that the shade I purchased (Petal) appears orange-y on my skin, not a perfect match.  I have also read several reviews of the Superfit Makeup that are saying similar things.  I would expect this foundation to be perfect for individuals with warmer tones and drier skin, and I believe the Clarifying Makeup would have been a better match for me personally.  So many times finding a wonderful foundation that works for your specific skintype is a trial and error experience! (more…)

About a year ago, my esthetician Jannae recommended taking daily flax seed supplements to prevent breakouts and improve the quality of my skin.   I also read at the Green Living website about ingesting Flax Seed Oil to combat dry skin, and used their recommendations of taking flax seed oil and/or supplements in a post called, “Winter is Here: Dealing with Dry, Cracked and Itchy Skin.”  And a few months ago, an excellent comment was made by Elena at the post called, “Supplements for the Skin, Hair, and Nails:  Price hard to swallow,” of the benefits of taking Borage Oil supplements.  (more…)

So Jen waxed poetic about DERMAdoctor’s KP Duty Therapy for dry skin, and since the dry itchies are moving into my area as well I thought I should jump right on that seasonal bandwagon. My remedy of choice was KP Duty Dermatologist Body Scrub ($44). As I may have mentioned a time or 12, I love exfoliating. However, I generally am not a big fan of the usual body scrubs. They typically leave behind an oily feeling that I guess is supposed to be moisturizing, but to me it feels more like I’ve been dipped in baby oil. I prefer a little less fluff and a little more scrub.

KP Duty Scrub is unique in that it is a chemical AND physical medi-exfoliation. Just look at some of the active ingredients: (more…)

Is the No. 1 wash from Clinique? Neutrogena? Nope!  I am feeling some Mythbuster Beauty validation because several of my favorite picks for cleansers are on the Total Beauty reader’s best list such as, Suki’s *Lemongrass Cleanser, Caudalie’s Foaming Cleanser, and *Philosophy’s Purity Made Simple! 

(*Click on the links to read Mythbuster Beauty reviews!)

A cleanser is a cleanser, right? Don’t they all do the same job? Hardly. Our readers gave us their two cents about which cleansers made their faces squeaky clean — without leaving their skin feeling like the Sahara. What product was ranked No. 1 by TotalBeauty.com members? Read on to find out.

See cleansers

When some of my local friends got wind that I was a beauty blogger, they were full of suggestions for their favorite beauty products.  One of them even sent me an amazing assortment of locally owned skincare products from a company called, “In Your Bonnet.“  Thanks Ruth!

“In Your Bonnet” carries handmade and finely crafted skin balms, creams, and bath products.   Their skincare products are made with beeswax, plant oils and botanicals to create a simple and yet very effective line. 

“In Your Bonnet is a family business located in a high desert valley of Utah, the beehive state. Our weather is one of extremes, from near zero cold winters with lots of the “greatest snow on earth” to hot, dry summers with temperatures over 100 degrees and humidity less than 20%.

In Your Bonnet started as a means to an end… we wanted high quality, natural products for our dry, sensitive skin. Honey has long been used for its medicinal properties and as hobby beekeepers, we knew the addition of honey and beeswax would benefit any products we produced. When demand exceeds our own supply we use honey and beeswax from local Utah hives rather than imported honey in our soap, lotions, and balms.”

My favorite product has to be In Your Bonnet’s “Heel Thyself.”   This heel balm has a mild honey and lemon scent and is in a deoderant stick container (very smart).  You simply twist the container and apply this wonderfully soothing balm onto your heels, elbows, or any rough spots around your body.  This balm goes on a bit greasy, but absorbs quickly and leaves my skin feeling soothed and protected.  My cracked and dry heels have been loving this!

They also carry a lovely nail and cuticle cream, lip balm, and their own facial skincare line and handmade soaps. 

Support our locally owned and small businesses by checking out the inyourbonnet website store.   I promise you won’t bee disappointed!

“Mo” one of my most loyal and faithful contributors to Mythbuster Beauty, recently sent me a distress call:

“Hey Jen, I have a mission for ya! Winter has hit and we are in desperate need of a good lotion for our family. Last year I used bath and body works cream and it was nice and thick and did well, but this year we seem to be drier than ever! I’m getting red bumps all up my arms and my hands are starting to crack. My husband spends all night scratching his legs and rubbing up against things like a bear.

We’ve already switched to a bath gel instead of bar soap, and the scrubbies ensure we get exfoliated pretty well. The dryness and itch is excruciating!!! We can’t afford to keep buying and trying lotions until we find what works. So, we need something relatively inexpensive (Under $20) that will work well and that doesn’t smell very strong, so my husband will use it! I know you can do it!! Thanks, M”

Oh, the agony of winter dry skin… I had to rule out the obvious questions, was there a sudden change that might have led to this dry skin attack?  No.  Mo reports nothing obvious has changed. They are using the same laundry detergent and soap products, just the change of season. Her husband aka “Curious” is scratching himself like a bear? That is a bit concerning! I suppose most bloggers wouldn’t fret about another family from a different state suffering from epithelial issues, but I sense her desperation! When Poppa Bear ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.

My family also suffers from the winter itchies. Utah being a desert, becomes even more arid during the cold months. My 8 year old daughter Sarah licks her lips and ends up with a sore red mouth all winter long, this problem led me to find a lip balm that would help her, and wrote the post, “Sarah Loves Chicken Poop.”  We all get cracked and bleeding knuckles as well. Finding good dry skin solutions that don’t sting, smell perfumey, or feel too greasy is a challenge.

Now Mo, I realize that you would specifically love to solve the dry skin issue with a magical lotion or cream. However, winter dry skin is a tricky, multi-faceted issue. After doing some research, the Green Living website had some interesting solutions that might be worth a try:

• AROMATHERAPY - To help chronically dry skin retain more of its natural moisture, Fair Oaks, California, aromatherapist Victoria Edwards recommends this fragrant face and body oil:  Add ten drops each of the essential oils lavender, Roman chamomile, neroli, rosemary and carrot seed to two ounces of a carrier oil such as almond, olive or sesame. (Carrier oils are available in most health food stores.) Apply the oil once a day after your bath or shower, while your skin is still slightly damp, says Edwards.
• FOOD THERAPY – “Eat fish at least twice a week,” suggests author Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D. The oil in salmon, herring and other cold water fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help replenish lost moisture in dry skin and hair, according to Dr. Mindell. Up to two tablespoons of flaxseed oil a day can also help replenish hair and skin oils, says Julian Whitaker, M.D. It has a nutty-buttery taste, so you can use it as a topping on popcorn, potatoes or other foods you might otherwise flavor with butter, he says. Flaxseed oil is available in most health food stores.
• REFLEXOLOGY – To deal with dry skin, pay special attention to the thyroid and adrenal gland reflexes on your hands and feet, says reflexologist and author Dwight Byers. To help you locate these points, consult hand and foot reflex charts.

Mo, I am only beginning to “scratch” the surface of this dry skin issue. After all this extensive research I came up with some amazing information. Too much information for any one post. I will continue to write more on this subject! So hopefully some of this will help, and please kind readers, let us know if you have any other suggestions…