The Daily Beauty Break

Hello my beauties…First off, I want to thank ya’ll so much for taking the time to leave all the great comments  personally sharing your amazing “skin transformations”   with Dr. Obagi’s new ZO Skin Health Products! I first posted my successful review of Dr. Obagi’s products MONTHS ago and am still receiving new feedback from happy clients everyday.,,,,,WOW!

Well, nobody is more thrilled to hear of your successes than Dr. Obagi himself….I first heard of Dr. Obagi from a photographer friend who used his prescription products to beat her hyper pigmentation and adult acne (and boy did SHE EVER….Dixie, you look fabulous darling)…..In fact, Dr. Obagi is so thrilled that he is treating us here at The Daily Beauty Break with our own little Q & A…..I’m calling it “Ask Dr. Obagi”!

Dr. Zein E. Obagi is an “internationally renowned dermatologist, educator and innovator, Dr. Obagi, M.D. is an expert in skin care. He is a Board-Certified Diplomat of the American Board of Dermatology and a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. As one of the best known skin health experts in the world, Dr. Obagi is esteemed for his work in correcting a wide range of skin conditions, including facial melasma, precancerous lesions, deep wrinkles, age spots, acne scars and sun-damaged skin.”

Just the kind of guy whose brain I’d like to pick!!! So bring on the questions beautiful people!!! What’s your skin care concern? Bring us your sunspots, your acne, your wrinkles……Let Dr. Obagi tell YOU PERSONALLY what path you need to take to look… (and most importantly), FEEL BETTER!

Feel free to leave your questions for Dr. Obagi below in the comments questions….or email me I will forward it on to Dr. Obagi personally….

So stay tuned.… Since you asked (and you know I’ll do anything for my readers..lol) I’ll be reviewing ZO Skin Health’s Olluminate Intense Eye Repair & the Oraser Anti-Aging Hand Care Program….( can’t wait to say goodbye to my grandma hands!)……

Be Beautiful…..

Retinoids, Glycolic Acids, Chemical Peels,MIcroderm, Photofacials….RESULTS=AMAZING, but waiting for those results SUCKS…IN BETWEEN=FLAKES & REDNESS….All these skin treatments have one thing in common, they all help the skin literally shed the old (”wrinkles, acne, sunspots, OH MY!”) before revealing smoother, younger-looking skin.

What to do in between? Try Kryolan’s High Definition MIcro Foundation Smoothing Fluid ($44). This soft, micronized liquid foundation melts right into the skin. I used it on a client last weekend who just started Tri-Luma and it covered her melasma beautifully, while keeping flakes at bay ALL NIGHT….Even better, it contains sunscreen for daytime protection.

Now, why should an average gal even consider believing the High Definition Hype? Because the new digital format is “what you see is what you get”….So when cosmetic companies do special formulations for the camera it means YOU get to reap the benefits and look great….IN REAL LIFE.  I highly recommend “High Definition” makeup for the average gal who needs a little extra help…(like moi).

KRYOLAN has specialized in producing makeup for professional makeup artists  in film/print and tv for over 60 years….Why should you care? If you don’t look good, we (the makeup artists) don’t look good. Thanks for that Vidal……..

Be Beautiful Ya’ll!

Honesty really IS the best policy. That’s why I love the girls over at Product Fiend….they dish on all the latest and greatest in the skincare world (and all the trials and tribulations regarding it…..wrinkles AND zits, anyone?). Seriously though, I’ve always followed the “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all” policy here at TDBB.  Mainly, if I try a beauty product and it’s a real STINKER….it’s won’t get a mention here either way…I try my best to “keep it real”….bottom line, I want to help YOU the dear reader look and feel her best….and if a product doesn’t fit the bill then I won’t write about it.

But after reading Wendy’s review of Bare Essentials Bare Essentials Bisque Concealer today (I swear it almost sounds like she got a bad batch or something..), I just had to make a little list of my own favorite concealors….I mean, talk about being worked into a corner….Zits just suck all the way around….and if you are like moi, when it comes to hiding the little buggers price can be no object ( nothing like returning a concealor to a counter girl becuase it won’t cover your zits…GOOD TIMES)  So I thought I’d do a quick list of my ALL-TIME favorites…

1. Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage ($20)…(with ya on this one Wendy!) This little duo has the perfect constistency for covering zits….super pigmented and thick, it won’t budge!!! Bonus, you can mix the two shades as your skin changes with the seasons so you will always get a perfect color match!

2. PUR Minerals 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Foundation ($24.50). I slap this bad-boy on in the am when I have to take the kiddos to school but just can’t bear to go out of the house with the “chaos that is my face” showing….bonus, you don’t need to set it with powder and there’s no icky sheen like some other mineral makeup! TOTAL COVERAGE = TOTAL RELIEF, I say!

3. Illuminare Extra Coverage Foundation/Concealor ($27). This is my “go-to” foundation and concealor when I am really in a skin pickle and have to go do makeup for a photoshoot…(nothing like being a makeup artist w/ acne)! A cult fav among us makeup artists…Illuminare probably has the most pigment of any pre-mixed foundation I have ever tried…..I always get compliments on my “skin” when I wear it…If they only knew….

TIP: When it comes to covering your zits…A. make sure your skin is prepped…flakes are toned or scrubbed away (go easy) and you have a good oil-free foundation primer on to help “even out the topography”..if you know what I mean! After foundation, set with a good translucent powder…then move on the concealer…apply in layers my dears….think concealer/powder/concealer/powder until the madness is GONE, BABY, GONE!!!

Be Beautiful Ya’ll…..

Hey dolls. So we finally had to turn on our heater a few days ago….and my skin can TELL. Itchy, itchy…..esp my neck! My hair is at that “perfect” in-between length and the ends just DIG into my neck and so I scratch…resulting in a very attractive little rash….and since my poor neck is so irritated normal moisturizers sting like H-E-Double-Hockey Sticks!! I just HATE that when you know your skin needs moisture to STOP the “itch/scratch cycle” but regular moisturizers have you screaming “FIRE”!!!……

Well happily, Renee Rouleau’s Stress Recovery Lotion ($25) has my poor skin back on track. Stress Recovery Lotion “calms, protects and helps normalize blotchy, stressed, oil skin prone to break outs (um, hello Josi…raise your hand that’s you). Also ideal after professional skin resurfacing procedures and sunburns to keep the skin moist and calm”.

Key ingredients include: Japanese Green Teas, Chamomile Oil, Matricaria Extract and Allantoin. Well, all I know is that my skin feels better…and it didn’t sting going on……Hallelujah.

And small world too. Renee has been making the beautiful people here in Dallas just a little more beautiful at her downtown spa for over 20 years! In fact….I will have the honor to meet and pick the brain of Dallas’s top skin guru soon…So stay tuned!

Be Beautiful Ya’ll…..

Hello beautiful people…thought I’d give everyone an update today on my personal WAR against adult, cystic acne. Things are looking up for me! As some of you may know, I started my anti-acne journey on spironolactone around a month ago.  Spironolactone is a high-blood pressure med that dermatologists use off-label to help fight the cystic acne, scary hair growth and generally greasy skin that our hormones wreak upon us in our 20’s and 30’s…(and bless your heart; I am praying for you if you are still dealing with this crap in your 40’s).

So ANYWAYS, spironolactone works so well because it counteracts androgens (one of the pesky hormones responsible for the mess) in our bodies……

I was STUNNED how after 1 week of taking my face was COMPLETELY in the clear….this was at 100mg a day…well, next cycle unfortunately the nasty critters were B-A-C-K…although, not quite as huge and not quite as painful (huge in my book). SO my wonderful dermatologist Dr. Turner upped my dose to 150mg per day…since then my skin looks pretty great!!It’s “that time” for me, so I have some funky business going on right now in the chin area, but nothing that I can’t handle with a little makeup….

YIPPEE!!! If you are dealing with nasty adult, cystic acne I strongly encourage you to find a dermatologist near you that prescribes this drug (look at me, Josi the pusher) because SERIOUSLY….spironolactone WORKS...I have no idea why my old derm didn’t prescribe this…I’m telling you…..if you are on the antibiotic/retinioid roller coaster that I was on, it’s time to get off….There is HOPE my pretties!!!!

Be Beautiful Ya’ll….

So have you seen Ellen Pompeo on the new October cover of Allure magazine? Totally beach-bunny beautiful!! SO this is always my favorite issue because it features “The Best of Beauty”…..editors top 182 beauty picks of the year!!!! These girls work hard.…..laying on the lotion and lathering the shampoos……My opinion? HEAVEN.

So I have been suffering AGAIN with some horrible breakouts and when I heard their review of the new PUR Mineral Foundation (it’s a 4-in-1…concealor, foundation, power and sunscreen($25) I had to try it!!! They said it had amazing coverage (which I SO need) and I needed something that I could just slick on and run out the door….

Seriously, this stuff ROCKS. One product and even the nastiest of zits vanish…..it is very matte so there’s no need to top it with powder (like some other mineral foundations..uh-hem..), it’s non-irritating AND has sunscreen for the walk to pick up the kids at school! I’ve found that it works AWESOME when applied with a bronzer brush..( one with pretty tight bristles for heavy coverage)..so no messy fingers.

AND I got proof. Yesterday picking up my daughter at school another mom told me I had gorgeous skin and “by the way, if this isn’t too wierd of a question, what kind of foundation do I use?”…..HELLO, sister. I talk shop in my sleep baby!

You can find at Ulta, Dillards and their website.

Be Beautiful……

Hello beautiful people! Well, FINALLY I am on my way to becoming a little more beautiful…..no seriously, if you know anything about my own adventures in beauty, you know that I have SUFFERED from horrible adult acne (of the cystic variety)…not only is it incredibly embarrassing to be a makeup artist with acne (thank God I am one though, or I probably would NEVER leave the house) but these little (big) suckers hurt!!! And since they are always along my jawline and mouth I can FEEL them when I am talking to someone…talk about self-conscious…..

When it comes to treatment of acne I’ve been there done that. I’ve done every kind of antibiotic (topical and oral), Azelaic Acid, cortisone injections, peels,ProActiv, Accutane (once when I was a teen…) and pretty much every prescription Retinoid on the market. I knew it was time to call in the big guns and did some research…and that was when I found Dr. Turner and her DermLaser Institute here in Dallas,TX. Dr. Turner and her staff were incredibly sweet and had a very calm, welcoming demeanor….and it always helps when an office offers stickers and jewelry to your 4 year old monster (I mean girl….)!!!!!

What I loved about the institute is that Dr. Turner combines a conventional dermatology practice with her cosmetic expertise….I was able to get my yearly full-body exam AND a cosmetic consultation at the same visit…Botox, anyone? More on that later……

But right now let’s just talk about zits. Dr. Turner gave my regime a jump start by first starting me on Spirolactone.…initially used to treat high blood pressure, spiro is an anti-androgen….meaning it blocks the body’s absorption of too much of this pesky little hormone that can cause hormonal cystic acne, excess facial hair and water retention. A beauty pill? HELLO, I’ll take it. I first heard of spiro at a recent photo shoot. After bitching to everyone a model I was working on and the other makeup artist told me they were using it…… and it was working wonders for them. So Yeah, I almost squealed a bit when Dr. Turner started off my suggested treatment with it…I proceeded to go home and Google the drug and you have GOT to read the reviews at Acne.org….my only question is why my previous dermatologist didn’t suggest it????

Second, Dr. Turner changed up my Retinoid from Ziana (which was NOT working) to Differin. I tried Differin a few years back and found it really it drying, but Dr. Turner prescibed a cream-based formula. I used it last night and it didn’t sting a bit and this am my skin looks great!!!

So yeah, I am SUPER hopeful this time. I am so happy to have found Dr. Turner and her beautiful institute….she works really hard to stay on top of all the latest and greatest in cosmetic dermatology (hey, kind of like I do with makeup! ) and it shows…..Next review? Anti-aging…Dr. Turner is REALLY good at injections…how do I know? Well….more to be revealed later…lol!

Stayed tuned for more on “War on Acne” and Be Beautiful ya’ll…..

Ah, Dr. Obagi….a dermatologist after my own heart…..when it comes to skincare he believes that “more is better”….and the tag line for his first OTC skincare line, ZO Skin Health is… “Fight Aging. Fight Hard.” I agree…(when it comes to looks anyways…)! , I’ve read up on Dr. Obagi and as far as derms go he is THE MAN…. for over 20 years he has been a leader in his field and has “been there done that”, with his own line of px products and products only available from your dermatologists…Well, finally Dr. Obaqi decided to come up with his own line for department stores…and it is available as of this month exclusively in Nordstrom stores, at the Studio at Fred Segal and at ZO Skinhealth.com.

Turns out Dr. Obagi has once again “shattered the status quo” and introduced a brave new world to the anti-aging community ( yes, I figure we are a community, lol!) ZO Skin Health was developed with a revolutionary idea….That moisturizers actually make the skin LAZY….when we constantly moisturize our skin our cells come to depend on it…and instead of repairing, renewing and growing new cells itself,our skin cells hit the couch….complete with TIVO remote and a large pizza…. (well maybe only MY skin) and gets OLD!

Makes sense if you think about it! Well…I’ve been on the juice now for two weeks and I gotta say…my skin is definitely becoming more active!!! I’ve been using ZO Skin Health OSSENTIAL Radical Night Repair in tandem with thier OSSENTIAL Growth Factor Serum. ..and my skin has definitely gotten off the couch ya’ll! The Radical Night Repair has a stellar 1% Retinol…(about 10 times the industry average). It’s the strongest thing available on the market right now without a prescription….BUT it works like one….my skin has been pretty peely….not as bad as with my prescriptions (thank god) but enough to know that it’s working!!! And BONUS, BONUS…my cystic acne is a third of what it was!!!!! The Growth Factor Serum goes on last….it smells kind of vitamin-ey (a good thing I think) and is super soothing (and feels moisturizing even though there are no traditional “moisturizers” in it).

Bottom-line, I can see real change in my skin with these two products…..WAY more than I ever got with department store skincare in the past (and I’ve tried them all…from La Prairie to Philosophy)….I’m looking forward to seeing even more new skin revealed……but first, you gotta get through some dirt to see the gold underneath!!!

Stay tuned…..(and be beautiful ya’ll)!

Putting the word “EASY” into a skincare regime is new to me……..I (surprise,surprise) am what they call a
“beauty nazi”….I never mind extra steps if it means my skin will look great. More time on skincare, less on foundation actually.

I’ve been a fan of Dr. Gross ever since we picked up his Alhpa-Beta peel a few years back at Nordstrom ( I won’t date myself, besides I suffer from slight “swiss-cheese brain” lately). At the time, his peel was the first on the market and the world of “cosmesceuticals” was just opening up. I was preggers at the time and was paranoid because I was going to have to go off my beloved Retin-A. Well, Dr. Gross came at the perfect time….I never had such beautiful, flawless skin as I did with that first pregnancy….and I credited it to my daily regime of Alpha-Beta peel.

Fast forward and several prescription Retinoids later, here I am…..wrinkles and sunspots in hand ( don’t want to think about how bad my face would be if I HADN’T started using it all those years ago)! Well the last week I have been using Dr. Gross’s EZ4U 4-in-1 Cleansing Towelettes in place of my regular toner and my skin looks and feels great! I am on day 4 of my cycle even and have no big uglies lurking on my jawline….(knock on wood, knock on wood). I am so superstitious about my skin….as soon as I mention a clearing it flairs up!

But anyways…these towelettes are great…..perfect for after the gym or whenever you need to get makeup off fast..( say 3 or 4 am after a great night out, ladies?)  EZ4U towelettes manage to clean, tone, treat and moisturize in ONE step….and what’s even more amazing to me is that these bad boys are anhydrous…meaning water-free! More room for good ingredients to help rid skin of all the crap we do to it everyday……

Perfect for the girl-on-the go or “lazy” skincare types….EZ4U 4-in-1 Treatment Towelettes give beautiful skin, FAST!!!

EZ4U Towelettes retail for $35 for 30 applications and are available at Sephora, Ulta and Dr. Gross’s website.

Be Beautiful Y’all…

Check

So I went to pick up my second tube of Ziana yesterday at the pharmacy….although I don’t know why. …my cystic acne has really been a thorn in my side….and while I am the first to tell you that I am probably one of the most vain human beings on the planet….these zits hurt!!!! And it sucks even more since mine is hormonal, they are always by my mouth…so I am SUPER self-conscious when I talk (no, not right this second….knock on wood).

No really, prescription Retinoids are proven to fight acne and now that I am 33 luckily they also work for wrinkles,sun spots, hyper pigmentation, etc. Retinoids accomplish this by actually increasing the rate at which the skin creates and sheds new skin cells..studies have found that they can even prevent skin cancers! I am CONVINCED that the only reason I don’t look twice my age is because of this stuff. I am a serious sun-worshipper ( albiet a very careful one now…we HAD to get a pool when we moved to Texas or else we would probably never go outside it’s so damn hot)….But since I spent my formative beauty years in Seattle, I did some serious tanning bed-hopping when I was a teenager. Seriously, one of my best girlfriends worked at a tanning salon and I would go in after the shop closed and lay in the beds for HOURS………..

I would have to say if you are serious about your skin and want to avoid costly and painful cosmetic procedures down the line… then(once you reach a “certain” age) make an appt. with a dermatologist. I would love to say that those $300 creams work (and they do…) BUT no over-the-counter product you can buy (no matter how expensive) will contain the levels of retiniod that you REALLY need too see maximum results.

I’ve tried all the Retinoids, although my girlfriend Dixie (one of DFW’s finest up and coming fashion photographers) just told me about a  new product that she recently got that she is in love with….Obagi. She said her skin has never looked better..(although she is a member of the under 30 crew). I told her that I will for sure check it out next appt.

But back to Ziana…it’s supposed to be better than plain-old Retin-A because it combines Clyndamicin (an antibiotic) with retiniol to alleviate acne and the resulting infection it creates….resulting in (supposedly) less inflammation, redness and pain.

I don’t know..I’m not convinced. The deal is that you have to use these bad boys for a few months before you see optimum results……and patience is not my best virtue. I want what I want and I want it NOW!!!

If you’ve read this article and have experience in prescription beauty, tell me YOUR thoughts…….

Be Beautiful Ya’ll!