There are TONS of facial sunblocks on the market, so how do you know which one is really going to offer your skin the best protection.
Dr. Farah Shah has the answer: protection against UVA AND UVB rays.
According to Dr. Shah, a dermatologist at Methodist Hospital in Houston, Neutrogena is only brand that has Helioplex – a combination of avobenzone and oxybenzone that stabilizes the ingredients in sunscreen and protects your skin from UVB rays. Research is showing that UVB rays are probably more harmful than UVB.
The only other physical barrier is zinc oxide, which is not a good look for anyone, not even the hot lifeguard. Because I was unaware of Helioplex, I have used SkinCeuticals Daily Sun Defense SPF 20 ($37) that has a transparent zinc oxide.
Both products do the trick, but clearly have different price points.
Two more tips that Dr. Shah recommends:
Any SPF over 20 is plenty of protection. No need to hunt down SPF 100.
When you put on your sunscreen in the morning (either under or over your moisturizer), also apply it on the back of your hands. Both men and women are concerned with sun spots on their hands and often have them lasered off. However, they will come back. Prevent your hands from aging with sunscreen. You might not realize how much UVB is effecting your hands, but those rays shoot right through the windshield while your hands are on the wheel, causing them to age faster.
For the past three days I have been lathering on Ahava Enriched Intensive Foot Creme day and night in hope to soften up my big clompers before sandal season hits. Usually the foot creme is the first thing I give away from my fashion week schwag bag, but it dawned on me that this is a product I actually NEED.
The “Leave-On Dead Sea mud formulation” feels creamy and rich with a little oily finish and has just the right amount of fragrance.
I’m enjoying it thus far, but I wonder if my feet will actually get softer. We’ll have to wait and see.
(Full Disclosure: Ahava sponsored Yigal Azrouel’s show and provided gift bags with product for atendees.)
You know I’ve had both Botox and Restylane injected by Dr. Bobby (in NYC),but I’ve never brought you into the room during the procedure.
As I’ve stated in the past, I have the procedure for two reasons:
The lines in my forehead are very deep for someone my age.
I want to prevent wrinkles around my eyes and mouth from intensifying.
In this episode, I introduce Dr. Patronella (in Houston) to explain the difference between the various injectables. Then we record the actual process, which (per usual) causes me to get a little nauseous.
You’ll notice the purple spots all over my face. Dr. Patronella marked each site so you could see where he was going to inject. This is not standard procedure so you won’t look like a spotted monster when you leave the office.
My Doctor’s Info:
Dr. Chistopher Patronella
12727 Kimberley, Suite 300
Houston, TX 77024
713-799-9999
www.patronellamd.com
(Full Disclosure: Products and services were comped for Life Experiment episode.)
This just in: spotted Mermaid was seen running around Houston late this afternoon after another battle with Botox. From the looks of it, she lost.
She tried to run from us, she tried to hide, but then for the sake of a good LOL, she surrendered the photos on her iPhone from her office visit with one Dr. Christopher Patronella. The only witness to scene was apparently holding a Kodak Zi8 and shooting one of her “life experiment” episodes. Our research tells us next week’s installment will be the much anticipated taser video in which she voluntarily has electricity shot through her ass. As reporters, we find this much more entertaining than her previous rectal water stunts.
Below, see the beast in question. Warning: might not be suitable for young children.
Apparently the issue started on her forehead -
and AGE spread from there.
Mermaid turns 28 this month and seems to think she can stop Father Time from stomping all over her face.
(Full Disclosure: Botox and fillers comped by Dr. Patronella for Life Experiment episode.)
I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but drugstores are stocking an even larger inventory of travel-sized products these days. Recently I picked up Christophe shampoo and conditioner and a Redken hair mask to keep my locks silky smooth while in Mexico. I felt like I had scored big time because I had never seen these two products in small bottles. AND, I had always wanted to try out them, but wasn’t ready to throw down double digits on a test drive.
Here are a list of their current brands, but I expect their selection to grow.
Many stores are catching on, but until then, plan ahead or browse on 3floz.com. You might fall in love and go back for the big bottle!
I prefer Moroccan Oil and GoSmile capsules (both of which publicists sent me for free and I fell in love with), but when you’re in Mexico you gotta go with what’s available.
After demonstrations from Edward Sanchez and Wendy at Shu Uemura, I’m now attempting to apply false eyelashes myself (Lashes = Shu Uemura Brown Luxe $20)
As you’ll see, it’s not f-ing easy! And I have studied makeup. I can put lashes on other people easily. But when it’s your own lash line, you’re coming from a different angle completely.
In the end it all worked out. Photo of from New Years ensemble with lashes to follow!
Last night all of the girls at dinner were dying to know what lipstick I was wearing that my ruby red lips could survive a three course meal.
Of course the lipstick matters, but in my experience it’s HOW you eat and drink that makes the difference. And honestly, it’s not something I learned, the technique just came naturally. So we took pictures from a few different angles to discover I put the glass on the inside of my lip instead of putting my lips around the rim. Yes, that’s obvious, but the key is to make your pucker look natural, not like a forced-fish face.
A few other tricks for durability:
Start with a dry lip. Use powder if you need to. This will allow your lips to absorb the color and become stained.
No matter what color you choose, use a natural color lip liner to keep the color from wearing thin or bleeding. (Above, I went over my liner with the red lipstick.)
Apply lipstick or gloss with a lip brush. A pain in the ass, but it makes a difference.
DO NOT RUB YOUR LIPS TOGETHER OR BLOT! Just don’t do it.
Top it all off with a clear gloss (I like Revlon Super Lustrous in Shine City from CVS). If you want a matte lip, skip this step, but it really does help with durability.
Now I’m sure you’re thinking to yourself, “a guy won’t want to kiss me through all that goo.” And you would be absolutely right. But he’ll be looking at them all night long, so before you go in for the kill, grab a napkin and wipe that crap off! Your lips will still have color if you followed my steps. If the kiss is not to say “goodnight” but more like let’s paint the town red, then lightly reapply a little color and follow with the clear gloss. This way he won’t feel hesitant to kiss your lovely lips again.
(My ruby red lips: NYX lip liner in Natural, Avon lipstick in Plum Wine, Revlon Super Lustrous gloss in Shine City.)
