Showing posts with label beauty tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label beauty tips. Show all posts

Mischo Beauty Has A New Home!


I've moved! Here's where you can now visit me: www.mischobeauty.com

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Kinky Curly to the Coil Rescue!



Ladies, I think I've found what I've been waiting for - a hair system that does not freeze dry, overslick or weigh down the natural bounce and beauty of my curls, while giving them pretty amazing definition. A seriously rambunctious Woo Hoo! goes out to the folks over at Kinky Curly for that. Remarkably, I hadn't tried their products before now, though I had heard lots about them. After being regaled with tales of overly-crunchy tresses and unfortunate white residue on hair, I made sure to consult the styling tips section of the brand's website before diving into my test drive.

I stuck to the magical triumvirate of Come Clean Shampoo, Knot Today Leave-In Detangler and Conditioner, and Curling Custard. Time after time, the results have left me very, very pleased. Experiment with the ratio of Knot Today and Curling Custard as different proportions yield different results, and that can be a very good (read 'versatile') thing. I found that my hair texture loves more Knot Today and a small amount of the Custard (which is concentrated).

On those days when I have to have my fix of Big Hair, I use the Knot Today, allow it to air dry to slightly damp overnight, and then add a bit more in the morning followed by a scrunch through of a couple healthy dabs of the Curling Custard. Refreshing was easy with a water assist, either with wet hands or the spray bottle.

Fan-tab-u-LOUS!

What do you think of Kinky Curly's products? -Zee

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Mischo Beauty School: Facial Masks 101



As a follow-up to the question I answered earlier this week on mask types, I thought I'd repost this lesson on masks. A great mask can do wonders for the skin. Masks are designed as an intensive treatment for different skin needs/issues. Generally, there are two types of masks: setting masks and non-setting masks.

Setting masks, which normally use clay as their base, harden and dry and absorb oil and remove dead skin cells. Non-setting masks are for dry or sensitive skin and are primarily moisturizing and soothing. Benefits of masks include the following:

1. Tighten and tone the skin
2. Draw impurities out of the pores
3. Clear up blemishes
4. Hydrate
5. Nourish
6. Calm and soothe
7. Rejuvenate the skin

Now that the weather is seriously cold and dry (at least in the midwest and east coast), consider investing in a non-setting mask (if it works for your skin type) which will keep your skin nourished and hydrated throughout the winter season! Please feel free to e-mail me with any questions. Love your skin.

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Super Sweetback's Soft and Long Revenge



Could there be such a thing as a deep conditioner that softens and elongates every curly strand of your hair? The Miss Jessies's brand says yes, it is so, with their Super Sweetback Treatment. With a bubblegum/candy scent that will either carry you on a happy cloud to hair heaven or drive you diabetically batty with every whiff, this concoction definitely leaves hair soft and supple. I chose to apply the conditioner before entering the shower to let the steam penetrate my hair for 15 minutes.

I spent a fair amount of the application time wondering which ingredients led to the odd, slick texture with the consistency of jello-y pudding, but I appreciated the outcome. Once air-dried, my usually spirally coils hung in vibrantly buoyant waves. Shine is not one of the benefits imparted by Super Sweetback, so you will have to figure that one out for yourself with a good finishing product. All said, I am looking forward to guaging the long-term results of use, though learning to tolerate the overly sugary scent will be quite a challenge.

Have you given this conditioning treatment a try? What did you think?
-Zee

Disclosure: Products in this post were provided for consideration by the company. For more information, please see my disclosure.

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Mischo Beauty Review: Shellac Manicure at Bliss Spa at W Hotel



Most of you know that I visited Bliss Spa at the W Hotel for the first time this past summer, so I won't go into details about the spa because I've mentioned it here. But, I was recently invited back for a tour and to experience their new Shellac Manicure service. Now I've had the Shellac manicure once before, (you all know my thoughts!), but the results from this second time around were different.


Shellac Manicure in Tropix - Day #1


Shellac Manicure in Tropix - Day #7


Shellac Manicure in Tropix - Day #14

I clearly need a new application, as you can see the growth of my nail beds after two weeks. But, there was no peeling, lifting or chipping. And, my nails are STILL glossy! I'm impressed. Have you tried the Shellac Manicure yet?

Disclosure: Products in this post were provided for consideration by the company. For more information, please see my disclosure.

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Mischo Beauty School: Hyperpigmentation 101



As a follow-up to this week's "Ask Mischo Beauty...", I realized it's been a while since I last discussed hyperpigmentation. I receive questions on Twitter, almost daily, from those wanting product recommendations to treat dark marks, spots and areas as a result of acne/breakouts. My response is always the same and focuses on PREVENTION. We all know that just about every brand makes a product to treat hyperpigmentation (either a spot treatment of some sort, or a fade cream). So I could very easily give out a list of products- and I do, but only after discussing prevention first.

Let me qualify all of this by stating that I am not a medical doctor and this response should not be mistaken as medical advice. My recommendation for treating hyperpigmentation is to see a dermatologist who can help you determine the cause, as well as the best treatment for it.

Hyperpigmentation is the overproduction of pigment (melanin) which results in discoloration or dark areas (spots, marks, etc.) on the skin. It may be caused by a number of internal or external factors such as sunlight, injury, trauma, medication, skin diseases and skin treatments and products. And, women of color are more susceptible to skin discoloration due to genetics and the differences in skin physiology. So, if you have a tendency for this skin condition, you should avoid the following:

1. Sun Exposure (it's one of the biggest causes of hyperpigmentation and will make existing disorders worse)

2. Deep Chemical Peels, Microdermabrasion or Laser Services (these services could result in injury or trauma to the skin- make sure you see a highly skilled/trained practitioner for services such as these)

3. Over-Exfoliation (this will worsen the disorder and might cause hypopigmentation, which is the loss of pigment)

4. Manipulation of Pimples (don't EVER pick them! use an over-the-counter spot treatment or medication prescribed by your dermatologist to treat them)

As a licensed esthetician, my recommendation is first and foremost making sure you're using products for your particular skin type. Secondly, make sure you're consistent with your at-home skincare regimen. And most importantly, a visit to the dermatologist is an investment in YOU!

Any questions? Love your skin.

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Mischo Beauty Extra: Milani Cosmetics One Coat Glitter Nail Polish



I am sure you can find great deals with a Milani Cosmetics’ promo code at Target and save on nail polishes. These were just too cute not to mention - I'm sure you all know by now how much I love anything glittery, shimmery, sparkly and covered in sequins! Milani Cosmetics' One Coat Glitter nail polish collection is seriously a steal! And on another note, I'll have a full review of last week's CND Shellac manicure coming soon. After 7 days, this is what it looks like - I'm pressed!

Disclosure: Products in this post were provided for consideration by the company. For more information, please see my disclosure.

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In Pursuit of My Fantasy Hair



For weeks the excitement ate me up inside. Ready to do more than have long hair for the heck of it, I let myself be carried away with anticipation - this curly pouf of fluffy goodness was about to get whipped into shape, and a sensually sweet one at that. I. could. not. wait. Cut day came and by the end of it all, my grand New Hair New Me dreams were living on a wing and a prayer. Had you seen me at 59th St. and Columbus Circle, you would have either pulled me into the nearest bar for some good, stiff drinks or let me the hell alone.


(before haircut)

Y'all know how I have raved about Hair Rules - the products that I use live up to their promises (the no-suds cleanser is so moisturizing that I almost forgot to condition my hair on more than one occasion); Anthony Dickey, a co-founder of the brand, has styled the hell out of some hair - celebrities and non-celebrities alike - I've seen the gorgeous results with my own eyes; and the salon specializes in "textured" hair, and if nothing, I've got plenty of texture all up in here. It was a no-brainer that my cut should be done at their salon. Dickey himself sheared me up and the resulting style looked good, though not great (the haircut inspiration photo I shared with Dickey is the first photo at the top of this post). My inner voice kept an interventionist dialogue going with the rest of my disappointed, then angry and frustrated self. My stated request was to keep my length while being given the shape illustrated in the inspiration photo that I dutifully brought along. I'm still wondering where our lines of communication crossed.



I was on a personal hair growth mission - testing my limits and figuring out how long I could let it grow (this challenge has been akin to figuring out how many licks it takes to get to the center of a tootsie roll pop. Like the owl, it seems I will never know). I was coveting the luscious, glorious afro-extraordinaire of the model who appeared on my Body Shoppe discount card about six years ago. I could have been a contender!



I arrived at the salon a few minutes early for my 6:00pm appointment to find I was not on the schedule. RED ALERT. What is really going on? Now, journey with me; I don't want to be unfair. The appointment was made weeks beforehand and confirmed, but stuff happens, and I didn't want to judge harshly so I kept on keeping on. I get to the chair, and because curly styles are cut on straight hair, I am blown out. The benefits of this method are far from lost on me, especially after an experience with a Moroccan stylist who was truly gifted with shaping curly hair, but whose work looked like an Edward Scissorhands swagger-jack when blown out straight. I occasionally wear my hair straight, so it is important that a cut has some sense of symmetry.


(the diffusing process)

Dickey begins to cut and my worry grows as he takes his third pass with the shears. "This man is a celebrity stylist with a great reputation," I said to myself, "and I let him know clearly that I wanted to keep my length. It will be fine." I should have been all over it once he hit on the second pass, but once he began the third it was already too late. On my way to the sink for cleansing, conditioning and curly whip application, I caught a glimpse of my hair from the side and felt all verklempt. Sweet Jesus, it was so much shorter than I asked for. At this point I could only hold out and see how it translated into the curly look.


(final haircut)

After sitting under the dryer for about 15-20 minutes to let the curly whip dry a bit, I was diffused while lying down. The curl definition was serious business, people. I do not exaggerate when I say there was no frizz. He shook it out with his fingers to separate the curls and give it more volume and still no frizz. I kept pulling at the hair at my nape, asking if there was a way to elongate the curl back there (code for: What the eff??? Why is this so short?? Can I get some of it back? No? Wahhhhhhh!)


(three days after haircut)

Needless to say, I left the salon with conflicted feelings. My hair was cute but not what I asked for or imagined. If you've ever had a cut gone wrong, then you know what I mean. In an attempt at self-soothing, I told myself that my hair would look as good as Marsha Ambrosius' once given three months or so to grow out. I was alarmed by the lack of body, but Dickey assured me that it would fill out and by day three it had. Day three was a very good day. Redemption!


(what I hope my haircut will resemble in 3 months!)

In a nutshell: I highly recommend their products, but the jury is still out on styling. If you go, make sure you call ahead to re-confirm your appointment. Bring photos and not only stipulate the shape you would like, but also be explicit regarding length. My hair is MUCH shorter than I wanted it to be, though if the cut necessitated this length, I would have accepted that. Clear communication is necessary to avoid such situations. I thought that was understood, but clearly I was not. Dickey has a long and loyal roster of clients (I told you, I've seen some beautiful hair birthed by his hands) so I am at a loss as to what happened the night that I visited. I am chalking this near-debacle up to distraction and misunderstanding, and waiting three months for my happy ending.
-Zee

Disclosure: Products in this post were provided for consideration by the company. For more information, please see my disclosure.

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Mischo Beauty Challenge Update: "A Healthy, Sexy & Beautiful 2011"



I hope you all have been able to check out the "A Healthy, Sexy & Beautiful 2011" post by now and have started - or I should say- are continuing on with making healthy changes to your lifestyle. Remember, inner beauty determines outer beauty (as I've said a million times before)!

With that said, I'm happy to present an alternative to the 8 glasses of water we all should really drink daily, and it's Hint Water. It's free of preservatives, sweetners and calories. I mean, it really is just water, but with a "hint" and just a tiny hint (in my opinion) of flavor. I can smell the flavor more than taste it. So for those of you struggling with water, give these a try and let me know what you think!

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Fight the Good Fight with Origins Clear Improvement Mask



Good people, I have been fighting the good fight against breakouts lately. Between the pollution of New York City, the harsh, cold winter air and drying indoor heat, my poor combination skin has been suffering big time. Despite the constant drilling of Ms. Mischo Beauty herself (Kitiya), I have not been a regular mask user, but I am here to tell you that this has all changed now! Thank you, Origins Clear Improvement Mask, for showing me the light!

This mask's main active ingredient is active charcoal, lauded widely for it's "adsorptive" powers, which means it has the ability to attract substances to itself and make them stick. So, when accompanied with heat, active charcoal seeps down to the lower dermal layer of your skin, magnetizes oil, bacteria and toxins and rids your skin of the nasty critters that can lead to acne, inflammation and a generally unhealthy-looking complexion. If you have oily skin, or combination skin, this mask, which also contains clay, could be a great alternative or sidekick to a lot of the salicylic acid-containing products we are often encouraged to use.

I tried it: my skin looked tauter, my blemishes dried out and perhaps best of all, my pores appeared smaller! The pore thing is huge since I am genetically predisposed to large pores in certain zones of my face and I'm always on the hunt for a great product that effectively works to minimize them, with as many natural ingredients as possible. The mask has now become a twice weekly ritual.

Use it only in your t-zone if that is where the oil is. If you have sensitive skin like I do, apply a thinner layer for your first application, since afterward you may experience a lingering (10-15 minutes for me) hot sensation and a bit of a flushed cheek. This is probably due to myrtle, also an ingredient, which can be irritating for those of us with sensitive skin. And also be aware that rinsing the mask off is not quick work, but the result is well worth it.

Have you used this mask before? What did you think? -Zee

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Ask Mischo Beauty...



This week's question comes from reader, nikhelw, who asked the following:

"So what can I do about these stubborn blackheads? I've had it!"

Well, lets first understand what exactly blackheads are! So blackheads, technically called "open comedones", are simply a build up of hardened oil and dead skin cells in a hair follicle. When the hair follicle is exposed to oxygen, it oxidizes and turns black- therefore the name "blackhead". Usually they're present on oily skin or skin types with an oily t-zone.

Here are a few ways to prevent them:

1. A consistent skincare regimen is key!
2. Use skincare products with noncomedogenic ingredients (will prevent pores from clogging).
3. Incorporate an exfoliant into your skincare regimen (will remove dead skin cells).
4. Incorporate a "clay-based" mask into your skincare regimen (will draw excess oil out of follicle).
5. Incorporate facials, by an esthetician, into your skincare regimen (the benefits are countless!).

And most importantly- again, a consistent skincare regimen is key! I hope this helps. Please stop back by and let us know how you choose to move forward, as well as what works for you. Love your skin.

If you have beauty questions you'd like answered, please send them to
mischobeauty@gmail.com.

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Another Way to Look, Another Way to See



What is better than a grandmother's wisdom? Not much. My sassy Grand Lady dresses sharp as a tack with a wit to match. I've been a major fan of her personal style and daring approach to life since forever, so I was quite excited to hear what beauty advice she would have for me and was surprised by what she, at first, had to say.

"I have no advice to give," she told me. This was unbelievable from a woman whose public face is always impeccably and minimally made; whose clothes always suit her frame and communicate well her conservative yet saucy personality; and whose well-groomed, curly, silvery-gray pixie is never out of place. She had to have something valuable to say.

She assured me that her lifelong dedication to smoothing on vaseline and wearing socks at night had produced bunion-less and corn-less feet which her podiatrist lauds as the smoothest he's ever seen. How's that for a good selling point? But, she went on, her face is unrecognizable to her now, as she ages and continues to bounce back from a go with chemotherapy due to her second bout with breast cancer over a year ago. Thankfully, since she has always had a healthy lifestyle and been a stickler for regular medical checkups (early detection is one of the best protections, ladies) her cancers were each found at an early stage. Despite it all, she is still one of the most beautiful people I know. She is now building a new relationship with her body and growing used to the changes in her physical and spiritual selves, so when I pressed her and asked what she would tell my niece, her great granddaughter, if she asked for her advice, she stopped and took a moment to think.



"Work hard, play hard and have pride in yourself." Pride is very important because it will motivate you to keep yourself up. "When you have problems, don't wear them on your sleeve. Put makeup on, a nice outfit and walk out the door with your head held high, even if your heart is breaking." My breath paused in my chest as I felt the ghosts of past hurt, disappointment and pain floating underneath her words. Wow. Thank you, Grandmom. This way of looking at, of seeing, the immaculately put-together and fiery woman I have looked up to my entire life, took more than the attention of a fleeting glance. I thought of the many guises our public mask can take. It can communicate, as "Azucar & Especial" commented in another post, who you are/what you believe on the inside, or it can, as my grandmother points out, be an exercise in hope- a fake-it-to-make-it inspired act toward the fruition of a healthier, happier, and more confident You. The use of cosmetics and beauty accessories can be a proclamation of aspiration, a performance of capability and wholeness that may or may not reflect the current reality.

I am better for having asked my illustrious Grandmom for her advice, and I hope she feels better for having shared it. Have you chatted with your grandmom or grandmother-figure today? There's no better time than now.
-Zee

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Mischo Beauty School: Facial Masks 101



As a follow-up to the question I answered earlier this week on mask types, I thought I'd repost this lesson on masks. A great mask can do wonders for the skin. Masks are designed as an intensive treatment for different skin needs/issues. Generally, there are two types of masks: setting masks and non-setting masks.

Setting masks, which normally use clay as their base, harden and dry and absorb oil and remove dead skin cells. Non-setting masks are for dry or sensitive skin and are primarily moisturizing and soothing. Benefits of masks include the following:

1. Tighten and tone the skin
2. Draw impurities out of the pores
3. Clear up blemishes
4. Hydrate
5. Nourish
6. Calm and soothe
7. Rejuvenate the skin

Now that the weather is seriously cold and dry (at least in the midwest and east coast), consider investing in a non-setting mask (if it works for your skin type) which will keep your skin nourished and hydrated throughout the winter season! Please feel free to e-mail me with any questions. Love your skin.

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Mischo's Mistletoe Beauty Guide



As much as I love sharing beauty education with you all (yes, that's what this blog is all about!), it's time to have some fun. It's my favorite time of the year, which means it's time for the second annual "Mischo's Mistletoe Beauty Guide". Like last year, this guide is all about achieving that "kiss me under the mistletoe" look with gorgeous hair, skin, nails and makeup. So let's begin.



With all the hustle and bustle associated with the holiday season, you owe yourself the gift of rest and relaxation. We mentioned the Guerlain Spa at The Waldorf-Astoria earlier this year and felt it only appropriate to include it in this guide. The spa menu includes body treatments, facials, manicures & pedicures, massages and makeup. And, the Sublime Deluxe treatment, well it has to be heaven on earth! You've added a visit here to your with list, right?



Healthy skin is beautiful skin. So if you're investing in facial treatments or if you're starting a skincare regimen, then we feel that you should invest in our favorite beauty tool, the Clarisonic Skincare Brush. The most important step in a skincare regimen is cleansing because it removes makeup, dirt, oil, product build-up and dead skin cells. Our favorite beauty tip is encouraging readers to cleanse both morning and night, and Clarisonic helps to ensure a deep, thorough and gentle cleansing.



We included La Mer in last year's guide because we love it so much! It is luxury skincare at its best. Consider incorporating the Miraculous Beginnings Collection, exclusively available at Saks Fifth Avenue, into your current skincare regimen.



Remember YSL Beauty's release of their fall collection of nail colors earlier this year? Well, we're STILL in love with them and feel the shades are perfect for the holiday season.



The Shu Uemura Art of Hair collection of products originally knocked us off of our feet and blew us away. We still love them because they're continually innovating. Not only is there a collection of products for every hair type, but there are also in-salon "hair beauty ceremonies" which are customized to meet your hair's specific needs.



So this guide is really about achieving the most kissable lips, right! And because that's the case, the Tom Ford Private Blend Lip Color Collection speaks for itself. All we have to say is, we'll take one of each shade! Kissable lips are worth it, right?!

Our beauty picks could go on forever and ever, but what we really want for the holidays - well, besides all the kisses we can get while under the mistletoe - are love, peace and happiness!

So, which of the above are you adding to your wish lists!

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Mischo Beauty Pick: Supermodels by Nude Skincare



It's not what you think! The "Supermodels" are actually the very best of Nude Skincare's top selling cult favorites which are packaged together in a kit to "transform and revitalize" your skin - if used consistently. The set includes:

- Cleansing Facial Oil
- Moisturizing Body Cream
- Advanced Eye Complex
- Age Defence Moisturizer
- Replenishing Night Oil
- Miracle Mask

Now can I just tell you how much I'm loving this kit? I've finally gotten a chance to use it consistently for the past few weeks and I've used the Cleansing Facial Oil, Advanced Eye Cream and Replenishing Night Oil down to the very last drop! This kit, along with the Advanced Cellular Renewal Serum (yes, I believe in serums!) have all given me life! It's kept my skin clear and I love waking up looking refreshed (thanks to the Replenishing Night Oil) - even when I've only had a few hours of sleep! You all know I swear by consistent skincare regimens because how else will you ever see the results you desire?

Knowing your skin type and using products specific to it, really are the key! If you're wanting to start a regimen or are curious about Nude Skincare, then the Supermodel kit is a great introduction to their best products and possibly a wonderful start to mastering a consistent skincare regimen.

Have you tried Nude Skincare?

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Ask Mischo Beauty...



This week's question comes from Kim (The Stylish Life), who asked the following:

"What are the best hair color brands and techniques for women that relax their hair? Can you relax and color during the same salon visit? I want something that lasts, but not a permanent dye job. And definitely something that won't dry my hair out. Thanks."

First and foremost, if your hair is strong enough to withstand two chemical services, then make it a priority to see a stylist who is highly skilled and knowledgeable. Also, because your hair will be chemically processed twice, you should consider using a mild relaxer.

Now, it is possible to relax and color your hair during the same salon visit, but only if you're using a semi-permanent haircolor. If you choose to relax, and must use permanent haircolor, then you should wait two weeks after relaxing before coloring your hair. And if you're doing it yourself, make sure you READ THE MANUFACTURER'S DIRECTIONS!

Permanent haircolor is the longest-lasting haircolor. It only needs to be reapplied once your new growth starts to show at your roots. Semi-permanent haircolor partially penetrates the hair shaft and slowly fades with shampooing. It will usually only last for about 6-8 shampoos. And demi-permanent haircolor, which actually does penetrate the hair shaft, lasts a little longer than semi-permanent haircolor, but it will also eventually fade over time with multiple shampoos.

It's also important to remember that if you choose to relax color-treated hair, you really need to make sure you're following a consistent haircare regimen. Incorporate both deep conditioning and protein treatments. Also, limit thermal styling, which includes the use of curling irons, flat irons and blow dryers.

Lastly, every stylist has a "favorite" haircolor brand and will hopefully use what's appropriate based on their client's haircare needs. I hope this helps! Please stop back by and let us know how you choose to move forward, as well as what works for you. Love your hair.

If you have beauty questions you'd like answered, please send them to mischobeauty@gmail.com.

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Mischo Beauty Loves Darphin's Iris Firming Booster Facial (ISPA 2010)



Darphin, a leader in the professional skincare industry, is best known for high-performance, anti-aging results through customized treatments, products and unique application techniques. After visiting their booth during the ISPA Conference & Expo , I was given the opportunity to experience their Iris Firming Booster facial. The 60 minute treatment included cleansing, toning, exfoliation, a lymphatic massage and mask treatment.

But, the highlight of the facial was the new Predermine Firming Wrinkle Repair Serum which was used under the mask and before the application of the moisturizer. This new serum works to diminish fine lines and wrinkles, and is most importantly used for prevention. And lucky for me, I was given a bottle to take home because of course your at-home skincare regimen is always the key to maintaining a professional skincare treatment!

Disclosure: Products in this post were provided for consideration by the company. For more information, please see my disclosure.

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Ask Mischo Beauty...



This week's question comes from Naomi, who asked the following:

"I am 41 and noticing a major change in my skin, especially under and around the eyes. I work long hours and travel for work pretty frequently. Can you recommend some steps I could take and a good line of all natural products for fighting wrinkles and dark, puffy eyes? Thank you!"

First and foremost, I'd recommend adopting a consistent skincare regimen. Here are ten easy steps:

1. Cleanse morning & night (never go to bed without removing makeup and cleansing your face!)

2. Tone after cleansing (both morning & night)

3. Use a moisturizer with a minimum of SPF 15 during the day! (90% of aging is caused by UV rays; UVB rays burn the skin and UVA rays age the skin!)

4. Use a night cream with antioxidants before bed

5. Use an eye cream both morning and night under your moisturizer (this is a preventive measure; signs of aging show first around the eyes, forehead, mouth, neck and hands)

6. Exfoliate 2x a week (helps with cell turnover and with the penetration of product ingredients into the skin)

7. Use a mask 2x a week (many, many benefits!)

8. Take a multi-vitamin daily and drink a minimum of 8 glasses of water daily

9. Eat fresh green vegetables at least 3x a week

10. Make sure you're getting adequate sleep!

I can't stress enough the importance of sleep! So, I'll say it again- make sure you're getting adequate sleep. Lastly, I'd like to encourage you to consider adding monthly facials to your skincare regimen. Not only are facials relaxing and pampering, but they assist with cell renewal, detoxification and the correction of existing skin conditions - plus much more! And, to answer your question regarding suggested natural skincare lines - here are a few you should consider:

- Baborganic
- Juice Beauty
- Dr. Hauschka
- Jurlique
- Weleda
- REN
- Caudalie

I hope this helps. Please stop back by and let us know how it's going for you! And as always, please feel free to send me any additional questions you might have. Love your skin.

If you have beauty questions you'd like answered, please send them to mischobeauty@gmail.com.

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What's new at Shiseido for Spring 2011?



Shiseido has got a new pop-up shop in town (it closes today), and I had a chance to visit and get a sneak peek of their Spring 2011 collection. With its long history in the beauty industry, the company shows a commitment to evolving its products with the changing needs of the modern woman. If you've been a fan in the past, you will surely be excited by their new products and the improvements to old favorites.

Among the products which really caught my eye is the Body Creator Aromatic Sculpting Gel, which claims to burn fat cells and reduce the appearance of cellulite. The formula for the gel has been updated and now includes a plant sculpting complex designed to break down fat storing cells while promoting collagen production and suppressing the accumulation of fat. Are you giving it the side-eye as I was? Well, it was first released seven years ago and has a tried-and-true fan base, making it a consistent brand favorite. Does that mean it works? I am not sure, but have any of you tried it? Let me know if you have!



What else is new for Spring? There is a Refining Body Exfoliator; Replinishing Body Cream; Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist 24, a preventative and restorative line targeted at women in their 40s; and the Urban Environment UV Protection Cream. Facial sunscreen has always been a hard find for me due to my sensitive skin, but I decided to give this 35 SPF cream a try and miracle of miracles, it has not caused any allergic reaction thus far. This, combined with the fact that the cream is easy to rub in and absorbs quickly, excites my picky face!

The makeup on offer includes the Smoothing Lip Pencil and the new Shimmering Rouge -- a line of lipsticks in 13 shimmerific colors (I am crushing on "Sizzle" which is a vibrant coral) plus an ingredient that works on eradicating the fine lines around your lips. I am an enemy of those fine lines, so any opponent of them is a friend of mine! There is the Perfect Refining Foundation, whose darkest color, Deep Ochre, is my closest match, so know that if you are a woman of color deeper than Deep Ochre, Shiseido is not the place to go for foundation. Browner-skinned women may also find their Translucent Pressed Powder to be less than translucent. You may fare better with the bronzers, available in Dawn Light (light), Desert Rose (medium) and Dusk (dark), which are low on shimmer but high on color and warmth. I have been using the Dusk bronzer and love the boost it gives my face.



My favorite makeup item of the day was the Luminizing Satin Eye Color Trio, available in three new shades. I have been using the "Bouquet" trio like it is going out of style! It is a purple-violet palette that has pretty good staying power, although you will have to re-touch at least once during the length of a work day. The intensity of color is worth the extra bit of work though, for sure. "Voyage," a trio of golden earth tones, and "Punky Blues," which mixes blues with a pretty pink, are also new and full of pop.

Spring is in the air! -Zee

Disclosure: Products in this post were provided for consideration by the company. For more information, please see my disclosure.

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Mischo Beauty Loves Clarisea Salt Scrub (ISPA 2010)



Because I love sharing the "wonders of exfoliation" (yes, I believe in exfoliation) it was only natural that I visited Clarisea's booth while at the ISPA expo. Believe it or not, I'd never heard of Clarisea, which was created to treat acneic skin types/conditions - both face and body. Now I don't have issues with acne, but I can appreciate the benefits of a great scrub for the body, so I decided to give the Body Scrub a try. I applied it to my dry skin before showering (for a more thorough exfoliation), and followed it with my body wash and a creamy body butter. I was more than pleased with my results!

Disclosure: Products in this post were provided for consideration by the company. For more information, please see my disclosure.

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