Wednesday, August 27, 2008

WebMD: Grooming Essentials for Women

In the article linked to in the title of this post, WebMD gives some tips on choosing products that focus on the essentials.

"To save time and money, Nada Manley, author of Secrets of the Beauty Insiders, suggests choosing multipurpose products: a creamy shower gel can double as a shaving gel and bubble bath, or a moisturizer with antioxidants and SPF can take the place of a separate skin cream and sunscreen, for example." Try Mary Kay's 2-in-1 Body Wash and Shave - a unique botanical gel formula that leaves skin feeling fresh, clean and smooth. Also pick Mary Kay's Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 20 for sheer color, oil-free moisturization and UVA/UVB protection.

"Companies that produce some of the more expensive skin care and hair care products often invest much more in research and development. They apply science to the products they produce, such as creating skin care products that fight free radicals."

"In addition to a good facial cleanser, Dana Persia, owner of DP Image Consulting in Philadelphia suggests stocking your bathroom with the following skin care products:"


  • Moisturizer with an SPF of at least 15. "Sunscreen is the most important step in your daily skin care routine, says Carboni, explaining that sun exposure can cause both short- and long-term damage, such as dark spots, wrinkles, and skin cancer. Make sure to apply sunscreen 30 minutes before you go out into the sun and, if you can, avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. (when the sun's rays are the strongest). Remember that even if you are indoors all day, your skin is still exposed to the sun during the time that you spend driving in your car."

  • Eye makeup remover. Try Mary Kay's Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover.

  • Exfoliator, which removes dead skin cells and can leave your skin smoother, softer, and brighter. Try Mary Kay's Microdermabrasion Set twice a week.

  • Mask. Mary Kay has formulas for Dry Skin (Moisture Rich Mask), Normal & Combination Skin (Revitalizing Mask), and Oily Skin (Clarifying Mask).

  • Eye gel. "Joyce Carboni, founder and director of Skinsational Spa in San Diego, says that an eye cream is an important skin care essential. “The skin around your eyes is very delicate and thin, which allows for age to show easily,” she tells WebMD. “Ideally, you want to start using an eye cream in your 20s. Choose one with antioxidants (such as vitamin C or Idebenone) to boost collagen production and soothing ingredients (such as calendula) to reduce puffiness.” An eye gel can also reduce morning puffiness." Mary Kay has a variety of products for the delicate skin in the eye area. First, Indulge™ Soothing Eye Gel can revive a tired-looking appearance with this cool, soothing gel. Contains botanicals reported to tone, firm and reduce the appearance of puffiness in the eye area. Can be used as a mask or a leave-on product. Next, TimeWise Targeted Action Eye Revitalizer can reduce the appearance of both dark circles and undereye puffiness in just two weeks. Third, TimeWise Age Fighting Eye Cream was created to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles caused by sun, stress and fatigue. Finally, TimeWise Firming Eye Cream firms, brightens, provides intense moisturization, plus minimizes fine lines and wrinkles.

  • Razor and shave gel. As mentioned above, try Mary Kay's 2-in-1 Body Wash & Shave gel.

  • Body scrub, body wash, and sponge. Mary Kay offers Loofah Body Cleanser in two scents: Lotus & Bamboo, and Red Tea & Fig. Each is infused with tiny bits of natural loofah fiber (and botanical seeds) that remove surface impurities and restore skin to its natural radiance.

  • Tweezers

  • Deoderant

Manley would add blemish gel, an antiaging nighttime moisturizer (normal/dry or combo/oily), and lip balm to the list of skin care essentials. She also advises not to forget your hands. Stock up on good hand lotion (use one that also has SPF) and a cuticle cream. For a well-groomed look, use nail polish -- even if it’s only a clear color -- and nail polish remover to replace the old polish as soon as it becomes chipped.


For your cosmetics bag, Persia, who is also a licensed aesthetician and make-up artist, recommends:

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