Zap Zits with Light Therapy

Many acne sufferers think that natural or artificial UV light will help dry up their blemishes and prevent new ones from forming. However, there isn’t any medical evidence that sunlight will clear up acne lesions. What UV light will do for your skin is prematurely age it and increase your risk of skin cancer. Plus, [...]

Are Cosmetics Recession Proof?

Back in May I wrote about the Lipstick Effect (a.k.a. the Lipstick Indicator), the idea that consumers will indulge in less-expensive feel-good items in a bad economy. Historically, lipstick sales surge during economic or political turbulence.
Well, here we are five months later in a full-blown recession. The news hasn’t been pretty at all—what with global [...]

Curb Inflammation for Smooth Skin

I’m a huge skincare dork. So much so that I actually read books written by dermatologists. It’s only fair that I share what I’ve learned with you.
Today’s lesson: curbing skin inflammation.

Why inflammation is scary
In Wrinkle Free Forever by Dr. Howard Murad (St. Martin’s Griffin: 2004), dermatologist Howard Murad talks about the damage caused by inflammation. [...]

Face or Figure

Past a certain age, to paraphrase iconic French actress Catherine Deneuve, it’s either your face or your figure.
In the late 70s, a woman of a certain age was probably between 35 and 40. The phrase was popularized by psychotherapist Lillian B. Rubin in “Women of a Certain Age: The Midlife Search for Self. Today’s [...]

Oil of Aloha

I’m back from Kauai. OK, I actually returned a few weeks ago. I’ve neglected my Beautiful Tuesdays posts, and I apologize. Here’s what happened. After a fabulously relaxing, idyllic tropical holiday, my relationship ended — and it wasn’t my choice. Anyway, the last few weeks have been rough. For my own mental health, I needed [...]

D.I.Y. Skin Treatments: 3 Delicious Recipes

I love spa treatments as much as the next girl (perhaps more). Still, who wants to spend extra money on treatments and spas? Jennifer Aniston might have a $30K monthly beauty budget, but I sure don’t.If your skin needs a little rejuvenating, try one of these ultra-easy D.I.Y. skin treatment recipes and let the pampering [...]

Two Tickets to Paradise

I’m going to Kauai tomorrow with my boyfriend. I kind of can’t believe it. Other than visiting my family in Michigan, I haven’t taken a trip– let alone a vacation– in years. I think I’ll prefer frolicking in the ocean, snorkeling and hiking the Na Pali coast to hostile family dinners and trips to the [...]

Slim Down the Sassy Way

For the past few years I’ve tried to maintain a carefree, non-judgmental attitude towards food and weight. Unfortunately, I’ve gotten lax about exercise and watching what I eat. The result? I’m 20 pounds heavier that I was 2 years ago and none of my pants fit.
To me, not fitting into clothes that were loose on [...]

I Love Walgreens

I miss seeing Jennine in the real world. Sure, she’s but a click or call (with Skype) away, but still… Without Jennine, my trips to Walgreens just aren’t the same. Our love of Walgreens was so intense that sometimes we’d net 15+ visits a week between us. As Jennine says, fondling beauty products alone [...]

Green Your Routine and Save

I stopped by the SF Library on Saturday to attend an event sponsored by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. And I’m so glad I did. It was energizing and gratifying to see women (and men) of all ages come together for such an important issue. And while the subject of toxic beauty products [...]