Facial Fears

From the Desk of Penny:
Penny here…with a lesson learned about getting a facial when you shouldn’t. A couple of weeks ago I went to the spa for what should have been a relaxing afternoon. That morning when I washed my face I realized my skin was a bit irritated…I had small bumps on my forehead and a few on my cheeks…almost like a rash. My face is often irritated lately so I wasn’t too concerned…besides my Groupon to the spa was about to expire. So I was off to enjoy the very same facial that I had back in February (see blog entry 02/21/10).

As soon as the first product touched my face I noticed something different than the first time…my skin was stinging. No. Not tingling as the aesthetician said some of the products might…but stinging as in burning a little. This is where Penny decided to take one for the team and proceed with the facial. LOL! What is it I always say: “Trial and error ladies…its trial and error.” LOL! I have never been so uncomfortable during a spa treatment that I have had to stop the procedure. So I didn't. But more importantly I realized that I put my complete trust in the people and the process when I go to the spa. After several applications of creams/gels, extractions of whiteheads/blackheads, and an ultrasound exfoliation machine, I am relaxed but my skin and lips were still stinging. The mask was the best part of the process and the last part. It was cool and soothing and was left on for longer than usual. I left the spa a happy customer despite the slight discomfort and chocked it up to my face being slightly irritated before I got there. I didn’t look closely at my face before I left but I expected some redness from the extractions. (read full story...)

Moisturizing Madness

Hola!
Here we are again about to enter the winer season (most of anyway). The cold dry air tends to bring the dry, tight, itchy skin. So moisturizer is Penny's BFF these days. LOL! Sure I could use a better humidifier at home and probably even in the office; and I should drink more water...but its easier to slap on the face cream in the morning and at night. LOL!

Penny has had many a conversation with women about moisturizers and there is one myth I wish everyone could understand the truth about.

Myth:
"Women with oily or acne-prone skin should not use moisturizer."

Fact:
"Oily skin requires a good moisturizer to look soft, supple, and radiant."

EVERYONE should use moisturizer daily (unless instructed otherwise by a dermatologist). Choosing the right moisturizer is key. While choosing moisturizer, you should consider skin type, age, skin sensitivity, and whether the skin is prone to acne. While an oil-based moisturizer is recommended for dry skin, women with oily skin should try an oil-free moisturizer. Water-based moisturizers labeled "noncomedogenic", which means it will not clog the pores, is a good moisturizer for an oily skin. Moisturizer helps to maintain the natural skin moisture by slowing the evaporation of water content from the skin. This helps the skin to stay hydrated and to feel soft and smooth. Plus, it also acts as a protective barrier on the skin surface. (read full story...)

Does Make-up Expire?

Hi all:

Yes...make-up has a shelf life...it expires. Same with skin care and even hair care products. Using expired products can definitely have an adverse effect on your skin. So please follow package instructions or these guidelines you've probably read about many times. Since its been written about several times and on several websites I just thought it would be easiest to 'share' the info. (Click on link below, or cut and paste the URL to read the full article).  This is a good article because it tells you 'why' you need to toss these products and not just when.

http://shopping.yahoo.com/articles/yshoppingarticles/453/how-to-know-when-your-beauty-products-expire/

Here are the basics to remember:

• Toss mascara every 2-3months.
• Toss eyeliner about every 3 months.
• Toss eyeshadow about every 3 months.
• Toss lipstick/lipglosses about every 12 months.
• Foundation should be tossed every 6-12 months.
• Concealer should be tossed every 1-2 years.
• Replace face powder at least every 2 years.
• Powder blush should be replaced every 1-2 years; cream blush, every year.
• Throw out nail polish after it becomes dried out or doesn't mix well when you shake it.
• Brushes and applicators should be washed with brush cleaner (or baby shampoo) every 2 wks; good tools can last for years if cared for properly. Inexpensive sponges should be replaced after 2 uses. Powders and creams often come with their own applicators, but you should still buy replacements for them.

Hope this is helpful.

Be blessed. Be beautiful.
P

Pretty Pout

Guess who?

Penny's back with a lip tip for all you devious divas out there. Penny's mentioned many times that dry skin and eczema are her major beauty-related nemeses. The weather during the fall and winter months wreak havoc on my skin as well my lips. The dry heat at home, the cold dry air outside, and the plethora of new lipsticks and lipglosses to try each season; all contribute to my dry, sometimes chapped and irritated lips. For years I've used Burt's Bees Natural Beeswax Lip Balm (regular; not medicated, pomegranate or honey infused) with some success. But lately I've noticed some dryness and I've experience chapped lips. So either I've gotten used to the ingredients (i.e. coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, peppermint oil, lanolin, rosemary oil, soybean oil, and canola oil) and its less effective, or I just need a little extra help these days.  (read full story...)

Pretty Paws

Hello!

Many of you know Penny has a penchant for nail polish. Even with my 40+ bottles I sometimes still can't decide how to pretty my paws. *sigh*  But as with all things beauty, Penny's philosophy is that a woman can never have too many choices. So I couldn't resist sharing this great deal with you. 

On Monday, November 1st, Rescue Beauty Lounge (RBL) will be hosting a VIP 5-hour sale, from 11am-4pm, EST! Why is this exciting? Because for five hours their beautiful nail polishes will be marked down by 50%! That is $9 for what is normally an $18 bottle of gorgeous color!  [NOTE: Some restrictions apply. Shipping and Handling charges also apply].  (read full story...)

Sleek and Sexy

Penny here!

Many of you know that I have been on a mission to find the best anti-frizz product for my naturally curly hair. It has been a little easier to fight the frizz when I wear my hair curly, but more of a challenge when I go for a straight, sleek style. The method of choice at the moment is blow drying followed by a flat iron. When I want body and a chance to curl my ends a little, I opt for the wet set followed by a flat iron to the roots and half way down each section. If I blow dry, my hair tends to stay straighter and not hold a curl, even if I use a curling iron. So every once in a while I spend hours and hours with the wet set process. *sigh*

Quite a few of Penny's Posse members gave up the 'creamy crack' (chemical relaxer) and have chosen to work with their 'natural' hair texture. Some are completely chemical free...and some are like Penny...hooked on the dye bottle. LOL! But many of us have the same challenges when dealing with hair that is not chemically straightened. When the weather is humid or we perspire, it is hard to keep our hair from getting 'poofy' (yes, that is a professional term). No one likes wearing a 'hair helmet'...you know...where your once straight hair now has roots that lift it off your head like a helmet. Yeah...not a sexy look. LOL! (read full story...)

Are your dogs barking?

Hello my High-Heeled Harlots! (Ha ha ha!)

Penny had a moment the other day when she tried to tip out with the dolled up divas. It's no secret that I like my sexy high heels as much as the next woman...sadly I just can't wear them often. My feet get swollen and my shoes become uncomfortable. Finding comfortable shoes that are sexy, is difficult. Finding comfortable shoes that are sexy in my size...is pretty much impossible. Nonetheless, there comes a time when you take one for the vanity team. *sigh* 

I attempted to wear my modest 3" Nine West, platform, peep toe, sling backs to a soiree (not the 4" heels I considered wearing). Once I arrived I immediately realized that valet parking is essential to any night on the town. After walking for what seemed like 'The Green Mile" from the parking lot to the party, it didn't take long for Penny to find the lounge with the pretty sofas and the art on the walls. LOL!  Don't get me wrong...I was still holding it down for all the pleasingly plump Pennys out there, and keeping a smile on my face. LOL!  (read full story...)

Mascara Madness

Hello Beauties!
So Maybelline got Penny's attention with the "Volum' Express the Falsies" lash ads. Yep. You all already know Penny is a mascara maven. I can't help myself. I gotta TRY 'em. So many types...so little time (or is that...so little money?). LOL!

Well Penny was disappointed to say the least in Maybelline's latest rave. Nothing 'false lash' about Falsies....sorry. This formula made my my eyelashes stick together and gave me 'spider lashes.' Not a sexy look.  I may have gotten some length but there was no real volume. Maybelline's claim:

• 
  
  Patented Spoon brush and Kera-fiber formula instantly build 8x more volume without clumping.

• 
  
  Unique flexible wand helps to lift and separate lashes to provide the look of 300% more lashes.

Penny was not impressed.  The curved brush is okay but I was not impressed with the end result. Penny's claim: Don't believe  the hype. :-)

Another Maybelline mishap is their Collossal Volum' Express mascara (yellow tube). In Penny's opinion, this is supposed to be Maybelline's answer to L'Oreal's Extra-Volume Collagen. One of Penny's Posse members shared her experience and said that the Collossal formula did little to add volume to her already long lashes; even though it didn't clump. She felt as if she had to contiuously add coats to get volume. But you can do that with any mascara...can't you? Maybelline boasts that this mascara should give "dramatic volume with no clumps." Not! (read full story...)