Green Tea, Clearly.

The next big breakthrough in acne treatment may be the humble bag of green tea sitting in your kitchen cupboard!!
Recently, a University of Miami study showed that applying a two percent green tea lotion twice a day for six weeks reduced the number of acne lesions in subjects by more than 58 percent. Green tea contains antioxidants that are proven to reduce inflammation, which is likely the reason behind this anti-inflammatory effect.

Topical antioxidants save cells from a significant amount of environmental damage by free radicals. Free radicals are insatiable molecules that form in the body when we are exposed to UV light and other environmental assaults. I compare them to 'pirates'; In order to stabilize themselves they steal electrons from other molecules leading to damage. Antioxidants work their magic by turning free radicals into 'friendly' compounds, stopping them from causing inflammation, DNA damage, and collagen loss. That's why topical antioxidants can also help prevent wrinkles.

EGCG is the predominant antioxidant in most forms of green tea, and it’s also the most potent. It's over 100 times more effective than vitamin C and 25 times more powerful than vitamin E at neutralizing free radicals. 

Here is how I like to treat my face to some Green Tea TLC:

Option 1: For dry to normal skin. Make your green tea, then soak a compressed facial mask sheet (or use paper towels), letting it absorb the green tea. Wait until cool, then spread out the mask and place on your face for about 10-15 min.
Muji Compressed Facial Mask Sheets (5 sheets /set for $2.95)

Option 2: For oily skin. Use as a clay mask. Mix the powder with a little water to form a past and apply to face. Take off as soon as dry. My favorites Teuksun Powdered Green Tea (see picture) available in some nature stores, and Evanhealy Green Tea Clay Mask. At $24.95 at Whole Foods Market.

Wishing you clear skin,

I'm Going Wild for This Radiant, Hypnotic Color

I was walking in the mall when the arresting picture on Sephora's window was alluring me in. It was a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm. Sephora presented the Radiant Orchid collection, an enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple, and pink undertones.

PANTONE® a global paint company, declared Radiant Orchid as the Color of the Year and Sephora has teamed up to create a makeup collection inspired the coveted color of 2014.

This collection is setting a hypnotic tone for spring, its vivid yet soft; from petal-sheer luminosity to wildly rich pigments. It's is the perfect purple-pink. Falling into the middle of the color spectrum—not too warm or too cool, meaning it's universally flattering to any skin tone.  

Right- Sephora's Radian Orchid Collection, Middle - Benefit's Lollitint, Left - Myself in an Orchid Blossom look. 

I'm obsessed with the the Liquid Luminizer, that features a soft Radiant Orchid-hued shimmer for an angelic petal glow. As well as the Cream Blush with a variable coverage. You can goo boldly, or tint softly, as you add a ravishing glow.

Other products I LOVE:

Benefit's Lollitint, a candy orchid-hued tint, that is poised to reinvent blush. Benetints are water-based tints, but Lollitint is an emulsion. It contains a different blend of ingredients—a copolymer that creates a matte film locking in color on lips and cheeks. It's a beautiful violet-pink tint with remarkable stain power. I apply it with my fingertips.

The poster on Sephora's window; makes me want to color my hair in an Orchid tone!!

Mac's Amplified Lipstick in Up the Amp A72. I love, love love!! this buildable color. I wear it lightly, or boldly according to my outfit and mood.


Wishing you a bright day,

My Silky Hair Concoction (Literally!!)

I'm a girl who loves her hair serums. They keep my hair healthy, despite the harshness of highlights and frequent abuse of heat styling for work on set.

Because of my involvement in the cosmetic filed, I can get a stash of free hair serums from different companies, but I would never replace this little recipe that completely transformed my hair. It has the ability to change my hair texture from damaged and frizzy to soft and silky, without being oily, only shiny. And the scent is dreamy!!

 

Sometimes the Whole is Greater than the Sum of its Parts 

Biosilk soften like no other,  while So Sexy kicks all other shine serums I've tried to the curb, but together - together they are completely unmatched!!

Biosilk, Silk Therapy Hair Serum is made with Ethyl Ester of Hydrolyzed Silk; an esterified version of small units of silk proteins (from silk worm cocoons). Regular esters are amphoteric - they can be positive or negative in products - whereas these esters are always positive, or cationic, which means they have a high affinity to our negatively charged hair. Thus, Ethyl Ester of Hydrolyzed Silk form a film on the hair, which have a sealing effect; filling in cracks in the hair shaft, binding in moisture, and making the shaft feel smooth. They replenishes, reconstructs, repair, smooth, and protect hair, making it TRULY silky soft.

Victoria Secret's So Sexy Smoothing Hair Serum is a thin silicone oil hair serum. It's consistency is runnier than other products of this type, which is great because it translates to feeling light in the hair adding glossy shine whiteout being oily. It gives my hair a great sheen as it provides leave-in moisture.

I mix small amounts of both of in my palms and apply on wet hair, let it air dry, and then apply more before working using hot tools to style. The result is satiny strands with a deep glossy shine that somehow manage to make my fried hair feel really healthy.

And the scent …oh so very sexy!!

The pair blend into a vibrant and sensuous aroma, like a perfume for my hair and the smallest breeze or shift of my hair makes its presence known. It is fresh and sweet at the same time. Clean, yet sensual and alluring.

Biosilk, Silk Therapy Hair Serum is like a high end musk, yet refreshing, light, clean and powdery. Victoria Secret's So Sexy is like florals swimming in a bath of cucumber musk water. It's a mixture of light white musk, fresh peony, crisp cucumber and a hint of freesia.

Together it's a blend of floral, musky, ozonic, aquatic and green accords, that smell like sex on hot summer days, sex in the shower. Clean and very fresh aquatic floral, yet sophisticated and sweet.

Wishing you a fabulous hair day,

Enhancing Your Lips With a Hue that's All Your Own. No, Really. It's (Almost) Magic.

I love natural, seamless makeup - the kind that looks like I'm barely wearing anything, yet transforms me into a more radiant version of myself with an invisible wash of color; as if "I rolled out of bed looking flawless".

I consider tints a pretty strong weapon in my arsenal. They make your lips look more luscious than usual, but since their pretty close to your natural lip color, people probably wouldn't notice it in person. It will just seem like your lips look extra lovely that day. Sneaky, ha?! ;)

Thus, when 'intuitive lip colors' started flooding the market, I got so excited I had to check them ALL out. Not kidding, my collection screams addict, LOL!! They go on clear, but then change color, in what advertiser's claim to be a response to your unique pH level, creating a customized pink shade that's most flattering to you.

How Dior Addict Lip Glow Looks on My Lips

Yes! The concept is so genius, it's unbelievable- so I had to get down to the bottom of it for some reality check. The main ingredient that provides the effect is a colorant known as “Red 27,” a red dye which is colorless when dissolved in a waterless base. When it comes in contact with moisture, the change in solubility and pH causes the dye to turn bright pink.  The product appears to change with your personal chemistry because the color changes when it comes in contact with moisture from your lips, or even just the humidity in the air. The color isn't really that "personalized", but the lower the pH, the pinker and more intense the color, so it's not a generic shade of pink either.

The Results: are stunning in my opinion; the color comes to life and glow anywhere from a sheer light pink to a gorgeous bright pink, but in a sheer form that looks as natural as the tint you might have after eating fresh berries.
    •  It's great for a date night , since date won't worry about kissing you and getting bright
       color everywhere.
    •  It's a perfect neutral lipsticks that goes with basically any makeup look.
    •  Great for when you are out in the sun and don't want to look made-up.
    •  Fool- proof application

Doutzen Kroes demonstrating the look for L'oreal. L'oreal Magique BB Blush. Dior Addict in Glow. Madina Milano in Revolution

My favorite is Dior Addict (hmm..they predicted I would become an addict, ha?!) in Lip Glow, because it's more a lighter pink that you can control by applying more layers- the more layers or moisture you add the brighter it becomes. Loreal Paris Magic BB Blush a brighter option if I want more of a rosy flush, and Madina Milano glows brilliantly.

Pink Kisses,