NATIONAL CHOCOLATE DAY

Skin Benefits of Chocolate

Chocolate and cocoa are used in a number of skincare products including body butters, scrubs, body polishing kits and moisture bars. Dark chocolate is especially rich in antioxidants and can help to keep your skin firm, resilient and smooth as you get older. 

Some of the key benefits of chocolate in skin care products and body treatments include:

Nourishes and softens dry skin

Acts as a deep moisturizer

Antioxidants may help reduce free radical damage

Can smooth out wrinkles

Makes skin appear more supple and smooth

Can calm and heal irritated skin

Promotes healthy detoxification of skin cells

Can promote the skin cell renewal process

Rejuvenates the skin from inside out

Can increase circulation to the skin when combined with caffeine

Eating Chocolate for Good Skin?

Out of all the antioxidant-rich foods that you can incorporate into your diet, dark chocolate still tops the list for its skin and health-boosting benefits. Some research suggests that dark chocolate can help to slow down damage caused by the aging process and free radicals in the environment. Making sure your diet is rich in antioxidants can help to neutralize free radical damage, thereby protecting your skin.

Eating chocolate regularly can also help improve the overall texture and tone of your skin because the skin cells are able to repair themselves easily. According to a study in The Journal of Nutrition, study participants who drank a special chocolate drink every day for 12 weeks experienced a 25 percent reduction in skin redness from UV exposure, and also enjoyed improved skin tone.

Other Information about Chocolate

Chocolate and cocoa are often combined with caffeine and other detoxifying ingredients to help promote circulation and soften the skin. If you like to get mud baths and body treatments at the local spa, keep your eyes peeled for chocolate-based treatments that will leave your skin glowing from inside out.

If you get a chocolate body wrap, the treatment may consist of an oil-based body scrub, application of a chocolate cream moisturizer, a thermal wrap to detoxify the body, and a relaxing massage using chocolate cream. Chocolate body wraps will hydrate the skin and also promote the detoxification process. This can result in reduced water retention and tighter, more toned looking skin.

Chocolate’s antioxidant properties make this ingredient a must-have addition to your Fall and winter skincare routine, so consider using a chocolate body butter, shower gel or body scrub this season to treat your skin to a decadent pampering session. If you’ve never tried chocolate-based body products, book a chocolate treatment at the local spa to enjoy all of the skin benefits.

Chocolate Beauty Tip: Chocolate Facial Mask

You can treat your skin at home with a homemade chocolate facial mask. Spa Index recommends mixing 1/3 cup cocoa powder, 3 tbsp. heavy cream, 2 tsp. cottage cheese, ¼ cup honey and 3 tsp. oatmeal. 

Apply the mixture to the face for 10 minutes and then rinse it off with warm water. The creamy mask, according to Spa Index, is an excellent moisturizer that leaves skin " baby soft." This mask is recommended for normal skin (neither too dry nor too oily) without major conditions such as severe acne.

So Ladies, in honor of National chocolate day, paper and treat yourself to all things chocolate!

Enjoy

~Nicole J.

Avon Anew Clinical Derma-Full X3 Facial Filling Serum

Honorable Mention Winner of the Good Housekeeping Anti-Aging Awards for the Best Facial Firmer category.

This is a First for Avon, Injectable-grade facial filler, now in a Serum. This super concentrated serum has 3X the level of injectable-grade hyaluronic acid for dramatic filling & plumping. Use after PM cleansing, and before moisturizing.

Avon Anew Clinical Derma-Full X3 Facial Filling Serum is for external use only. Follow usage instructions on product packaging. In just 3 days, it begins to reduce the look of deep folds. In 2 weeks, 82% of women saw more youthful fullness in the cheek area. In 4 weeks, AvonAnew Clinical Derma-Full X3 Facial Filling Serum dramatically reduces the look of deep facial folds and hollowness.

GET THE FACTS ABOUT Hyaluronic Acid:

What is it?

Naturally produced by skin, hyaluronic acid provides moisture and fullness from within - but production decreases with age.

Why injectable-grade?

It is the same high-quality hyaluronic acid pure enough for dermatologists to use for facial filling injections. Results not comparable to professional procedures.

How does ANEW use it?

ANEW has formulated this product to stimulate filling fibers, helping to restore youthful fullness and fill in deep folds.

"I use injectable-grade fillers in my office. People pay hundreds of dollars for these injections. It's remarkable that now Avon is able to provide injectable-grade filler in a topical serum at an accessible price." - Dr. Cheryl Karcher, board certified, nationally recognized expert in aesthetic dermatology with a high-profile New York City practice. Dr. Karcher is a professional consultant for Avon.

Customers love what they are seeing

"At first I was hesitant to purchase because of the price, but really, you only need drops of this, I mean this will probably last me over a year and I see results especially on my laugh lines. It is a bit on the greasy side and cause a few pimples but I cleared it up with something else and will continue to use it to see the full results. BTW have been using for 2 weeks now."

See if AnewClinical Derma-Full X3 Facial Filling Serum is right for you, try it out.

~Nicole J.

MAC Studio Mist Foundation Spray - Sun Rays

Mac, one of the best Brands, the product quality is 100% secure and high. When People use this product they can feel sure will last for hours and will always shine and look beautiful during that day, that special event or that date.

For sheer to medium, natural coverage, this lightweight aerosol foundation is tough to beat. MAC Studio Mist Foundation Spray glides on easily if you spray it on a plastic lid (instead of your hand, where it dries too quickly) and apply with a foundation brush or damp sponge wedge. It's easy on the wallet compared to other spray foundations, like DiorSkin Afterflash,

This foundation, MAC Studio Mist Foundation Spray, is amazing for anyone that doesn't like a lot of coverage. It is a wonderful, everyday light to medium coverage. Because of the packaging, the pigments are micronized. It is the smallest particle that you can get in foundation. Because the particle is so tiny, it tends to look super natural on the skin. It also dries down, and you can't feel it on the skin. It Also stays on very well.

Let go now to the happy customers who have a lot to say about MAC Studio Mist Foundation Spray:

“I absolutely LOVE the sheer coverage and airbrush/natural finish that this foundation provides, but it was just recently discontinued by MAC! If you are a lover of this product, be sure to try and find some to stock up until you can find a suitable replacement! :(“

“the MAC make-up artists I pestered all day searching for a foundation said that this is the one to get! It dries really quickly and leaves a great finish, my gigantic pores look, not so big. you get a better coverage and less cakey finish, which is what I love. Also, so far so good, after a week's use my very sensitive skin has yet to break out!”

Try it and let me know what you think :)

~Nicole J.

Mark Matte Chance

Mark Matte Chance is a shine-reducing face lotion for oily to normal skin types.
It smoothes your skin and absorbs oil. It's light and oil-free with no fragrance.

This mattifying lotion leaves your face smooth and shine-free but won't make your skin dry or tight. It also makes the perfect base for makeup if you have oily skin.

The Key ingredients in Mark Matte Chance are pumpkin-seed extract and boron nitride (mattify), sunflower-seed extract (moisturize), polymethyl and acrylate copolymer and silica (absorb oil); sugarcane (smooths skin and helps increase cell turnover)

Here is a review I found very helpful:

“I use this moisturizer during the day time and since I live in a very humid climate I bought this product because it is mattifying, which is good because it helps control oil for a better part of my morning. Since I am a student I walk a lot and most of it is in the sun.
This is the last step to the regimen and the way I do it is cleanse, BP, sunscreen, and moisturize. 

My sunscreen leaves shine on my face and even after waiting 10-15 minutes, it still shines. So this is why the mattifying properties are so good. It doesn't matter what type of sunscreen you have, it will cancel out the shine and mattifying your skin. YAY! :)”

I hope this was helpful,

~Nicole J.

13 SECRETS TO LONG, THICK, SHINY HAIR

We all want a mane of soft, silky, touchable locks. But the reality is that hair grows only about a half inch per month. Want to jump-start the process? Read on for insider tips to stop hair's biggest enemy — breakage — and keep strands strong.

START IN THE SHOWER

Go sulfate free. Overwashing can dry out your hair, so the less you shampoo, the more hydrated it will be and the longer it will grow without breaking. When you do shampoo, consider a sulfate-free formula; they often contain less harsh detergents, or none at all, and therefore help preserve your hair's natural oils. I like Bumble and Bumble creme de Coco Shampoo. While lathering, remember that "shampoo is meant to remove product buildup and oil from the scalp, not the hair fiber," says Paradi Mirmirani, faculty member of the American Academy of Dermatology. Between washes, try dry shampoo to absorb oil at your roots and keep locks looking clean.

Stimulate your scalp. When you massage your scalp with shampoos containing peppermint or eucalyptus oil, you'll feel a tingling sensation. This helps increase circulation and blood flow to your follicles, boosting growth. "Prior to washing, massage your scalp for 30 seconds," says New York and London trichologist Philip Kingsley. In one year, your hair can grow an extra inch, he says. Another option is a botanical leave-in treatment like Matrix Biolage SmoothTherapy Deep Smoothing Leave In Cream, which claims to stimulate hair growth when applied to clean roots two to three times per week.

Condition, condition, condition. When your hair is well hydrated, it is less likely to dry out and split, so use a conditioner even on the days when you skip shampoo. Your hair should be treated gently, like a delicate fabric, but it also needs to be regularly nourished, says hairstylist Oribe of the Oribe Salon in Miami Beach. Boston dermatologist Ranella Hirsch recommends applying a deep-conditioning product at least once a week. I suggest Bumble and Bumble creme de Coco Conditioner.

STYLE WITH TLC

Brushers beware. If you're not careful, your hairbrush can actually do more harm than good. Ripping through wet tangles creates split ends, so try gently running a wide-tooth plastic comb from roots to ends. "When blow-drying with a round brush," says Kingsley, "don't pull too hard or you can break and pull out your hair." When you're not styling, avoid a brush altogether. "Brushing 100 strokes a day is completely old-fashioned and not a good idea," he adds.

Stop sizzling. Applying hot tools directly to your hair can fry the cuticle, so coat wet locks with a creamy moisturizing product for protection. I like Silk Therapy Serum by Biosilk. The best tools to prevent heat damage are ionic dryers and ceramic irons with uniformly heated plates (so you don't have to go over the same section more than once). For waves, hot rollers can be gentler than curling irons.

FAKE IT

Flatten out. To maximize your length quickly, eliminate volume at the roots, advises hairstylist Harry Josh. You want your hair to be as straight and flat as possible, "with a sleek Gwyneth Paltrow-type blow-dry." Use Blow Ready, Set, Blow.

Choose products wisely. Smoothing out your frizz makes your hair look longer. And, for a glossy effect, apply Biosilk Therapy Shine On Spray. The night before shampooing, use a Pre-wash Treatment (Any will do fine) to help your hair retain moisture during and after your shower.

Clip it in. If you're into extensions, both Josh and Oribe recommend the clip-in kind. "Ken Paves's are the best. They're affordable and available across the country," says Josh. To keep them looking natural, "choose ones that really match your hair texture," suggests Oribe, and don't add more than three to four inches.

INSIDE THE SALON

Steer clear of scissors. Contrary to what some stylists say, haircuts don't stimulate growth. "If you're trying to grow your hair, do not cut the length, no matter how fried it is," says Josh. Instead, ask for your ends to be trimmed. For a style change, "short, blunt bangs will make your hair look longer, because the jump is so dramatic."

Restore with keratin. Go for a keratin treatment every eight weeks while growing out your hair, says Oribe. It smooths out the texture so there's less need for hot tools or dryers. Also, by coating hair with a protective layer, the treatments help protect colored or chemically straightened hair from further damage. For at-home keratin products, try La Brasiliana Sette Hair Spray with Keratin & Collagen

MONITOR YOUR HEALTH

Check your meds. Did you know that some birth-control pills can cause hair thinning? Although it's typically not a direct cause and effect, "any changes in a woman's hormonal situation can yield hair loss," says Hirsch. Check with your doctor if you're concerned.

Manage your stress. "Stress causes the release of cortisol and other hormones that contribute to hair thinning," says Hirsch. The good news is you can reverse the problem by getting your stress under control. Scalp massage, anyone?

Let Out Your Inner Rapunzel!

~Nicole J.

L'OCCITANE Shea Butter Lavender Soap

L'OCCITANE Shea Butter Lavender Soap is generously sized for everyday use and the bath. It’s formulated with a 100% vegetable base and enriched with nourishing Shea Butter. 

L'OCCITANE works directly with women's Shea-processing collectives in western Africa, supporting economic recovery--and a heritage of natural harvesting traditions. It is created with a Non-irritating formula; and it’s suitable for men, women and children. The Shea, a sacred African tree that can live for up to 300 years, produces a butter used for its emollient and protective properties. It’s created with Shea Butter because of its nourishing, soothing and moisturizing properties. L'OCCITANE Shea Butter Lavender Soap provides gentle and effective cleansing.

Made in France

Here is a little bit about the L'OCCITANE Brand itself:

Oliver Baussan, Founder of L'OCCITANE says,

“AT L'OCCITANE we always encourage our people to follow their dreams and many of our employees volunteer to work on life-changing projects in communities far and wide. For the past two years our staff has been travelling to West Africa to teach the L'OCCITANE way of making soap to women in the Burkina Faso co-operative, where our pure shea butter is made. In New York many of our employees have given time to help visually-impaired children. Back in Europe we've been working with our producers and distillers in Corsica to continue with our cultivation of the exquisite Immortelle flower. Thank you to all our extraordinary producers, men and women who continue to teach me so much since the earliest days at L'OCCITANE”

Take a poll on Glamour, Do you use Soap or Shower Gel?

For a natural feeling soap, try L'OCCITANE’s Shea Butter Lavender Soap.

~Nicole J.

Avon SKIN SO SOFT Fresh & Smooth Microwave Wax Kit for Face and Body

The battle against body hair started for many of us, many years ago. It is a battle some of us thought we would never win.  In the past you might have tried different methods of removing body hair. People usually go for the old fashioned shaving, simply because it takes up less time, though occasionally we will use a hair removal cream if you need the effects to be more long lasting. In a perfect world we would have opted for electrolysis a long time ago, but having a spare thousand dollars around for that purpose never seemed to happen. Most of us have resigned ourself to forever looking like a cousin of the woolly mammoth.

Then Avon came out with Skin So Soft Fresh & Smooth Hair Removal Microwave Wax for Face and Body.  The box was smaller than one would expect.  Included in the box was a small tub of cold wax, several larger waxing strips, 1 small spatula to be used on smaller parts of the body, like the eyebrows, a larger spatula to be used on bigger parts of the body, and a small bottle of calming oil to be used on the area after the wax.

How it works is that you microwave the wax in the microwave for about a minute. Take it out and give it a stir. If there are still some hard parts put it back in the microwave for a few more seconds. Stir again and repeat the process until the wax looks clear, not cloudy.  While the wax is preparing check the area of your body you want to wax and determine in which direction the hair is growing.  Put a nice amount of wax on the spatula and apply it liberally to the area you want to wax in the direction of the hair growth.  Take a cloth strip and press it firmly two or three times against your hair.  Hold the skin around the area taut and yank the strip off in the opposite direction of the hair growth.

Let me warn you that this process is not for the faint of heart. For the first minute after the hair was yanked off I you take a deep breath and think, "Hey, that wasn't so bad. It doesn't even hurt."  This is because your skin was still numb and in shock.  Once your brain registered what had happened you can feel how much it hurts. The area was very red and within minutes a hundred raised bumps sprang up.  It was very unsightly.

The pain lasted for several hours and there was still a bit of tenderness the day after. By day two, however, you are left with no more pain and smoother, completely hairless skin. 


Overall people rate Avon SKIN SO SOFT Fresh & Smooth Microwave Wax Kit for Face and Body, as extremely good.  Three weeks later and the hair is just now beginning to grow back, and it looks like it is growing back much thinner than it was before.  Here are some things you should keep in mind when deciding if you should purchase the product:

Overall, this product is worth the money.  The cloth strips are nice and thick, perfect for grabbing all the hair. Obviously, the wax can get a bit messy but it had a pleasant smell and great consistency.

Ladies, free yourselves from those shackles.

~Nicole J.

Avon Anew Solar Advance

Avon Anew Solar Advance was awarded Best of Beauty Breakthrough 2011

Sun exposure can cause visible signs of aging. UV Rays penetrate skin’s surface, damaging DNA and creating harmful superoxide free radicals that attack skin cells. The best protection is to avoid sun exposure. When this isn’t possible, broad-spectrum sunscreen is a must to help protect skin from the sun’s harmful rays. 

It’s formulated with Repair Shield Technology. It dramatically reduces the look of wrinkles and visibly diminishes discolorations. It has a Broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection.

Avon Anew Solar Advance reduces the appearance of wrinkles and dark spots.

It has a lightweight feel, and a great none-greasy formula. It’s also none-Comedogenic and Oil-Free!

It leaves no residue behind and it’s very water-resistant so it’s great for those days that you’re sitting at the pool, or lounging at the beach.

The silky lotion feels heavier than a moisturizer but lighter than a cream. It initially smells of green apples and pears, but even as you rub it in, it continues to smell great!

Another great plus about Avon’s Solar Advance is that it comes in three different SPF’s, 28, 30 and 45, so you have a lot of options.

To use: Apply liberally and evenly 15 minutes before sun exposure. Reapply as needed or after towel drying, swimming or perspiring.

Why do I Love it you ask?

It leaves your skin soft, dewy, and without a trace of white residue (Impressive, considering its high SPF). And because of the containers size, it fits in carry-on bags and should last a weeklong vacation. 

Want to hear what the customers are saying? Well you got your wish!

“I was expecting this to be greasy but was pleasantly surprised. It sinks right in & provides good sun protection. It even seemed to make my skin glow in a good way”

Wear the greatest protection there is,

~Nicole J.

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