As I've said before, 3LAB is best known for producing products with the highest-grade of botanical ingredients and the highest percentages of anti-oxidant ingredients in the industry. I tested a regimen of 3LAB products last month and I must tell you that my skin is clear, soft, smooth and glowing! My regimen consisted of the Perfect Cleansing Scrub, WW Cream, WW Eye Cream, Perfect Repair and the Perfect Mask. The Perfect Cleansing Scrub served as both a cleanser and exfoliant because it contains fine jojoba beads. Normally I don't exfoliate everyday, but I found this cleanser gentle enough to use both morning and night. Once a week, I'd use my Clarisonic Skincare Brush along with this cleanser for a deeper exfoliation and I loved the results.
I found that the WW Eye Cream, which I used both in the morning and at night, both lifted and brightened my eye area. The WW Cream was exactly what my skin needed with the onset of fall. I found this rich cream to be very, very hydrating and perfect for both day and night use. The Perfect Repair is a serum that uses a two-cylinder bioconversion system to convert an inactive form of vitamin C to an active form. It has the highest concentration of vitamin C to be found in any product on the market and I used it at night on my face, neck and decollete under the WW Cream. Vitamin C is known to aid in cellular repair, brightening of the skin and hydration, and each morning I was happy to find that my skin looked refreshed and renewed.
There's definitely a tie for which product was my absolute favorite and it's between the Perfect Repair and the Perfect Mask. I'm a huge fan of non-setting masks and found this one to be perfect for my normal skin type (with an oily t-zone). I've learned that my skin loves hydration, along with concentrated vitamins and nutrients and the Perfect Mask is packed full of all of this and more! This mask is designed to lift, firm and brighten the skin and it did just that!
Have you tried 3LAB products?
Mischo Beauty Review: 3LAB
Mischo Beauty School: Hair Porosity 101
I've received a few emails asking me to discuss the reason(s) why hair becomes damaged and dry after certain chemical services. Well, there could quite possibly be hundreds of answers to those questions depending on the history of services performed on the hair and the home care regimen. I will say that if your hair is damaged and overly dry, then your hair's porosity has probably been compromised. So what is porosity? Porosity is simply the ability of the hair to absorb and retain moisture and is used to describe the condition of hair. It falls into the following categories:
a. Very porous
b. Porous
c. Normal
d. Resistant
A “normal” porosity will mean that the cuticle (outermost layer of the hair shaft) is closed and smooth. Healthy hair will usually have a normal to resistant cuticle, depending on the texture. ”Porous” to “very porous” hair will have a roughened cuticle meaning that the hair is probably damaged. It usually loses moisture very easy and is easily damaged.
So, to determine the porosity of your hair, feel it - both when it's wet and dry. If it feels like straw and it's rough when it's dry, or if it feels gummy or slightly rubbery when it's wet, then you probably have a problem with porous to very porous hair. You should definitely talk to your stylist before receiving any chemical services in order to prevent further damage. Haircolor, perms and relaxers will process much faster on porous to very porous hair and may cause damage.
Porous to very porous hair can be caused by:
1. Over coloring
2. Bleaching
3. Permanent Waving
4. Relaxing
5. Flat/curling irons
6. Improper blow-drying
7. Environment (sun, salt/chlorinated water)
Please feel free to e-mail me with more questions! Love your hair. Read More......
Because You're Worth It!: Spa Anne Semonin au Bristol
Ultimate Journey of Anne Semonin Beauty at Spa Anne Semonin au Bristol. Paris, France.
Beautiful hair needs an expert: Rene Furterer Okara 2 Phases No Rinse Conditioner
I've had the opportunity to use almost all of the Rene Furterer products during my apprenticeship at Elizabeth Arden Red Door. I was always very impressed with how nurturing the products were and the fact that this line contains essential oils and plant extracts formulated to keep the scalp healthy and strengthen the hair. I love that there is a full treatment regimen which can be prescribed, depending on your hair type and needs.
For Sienna Miller's color-treated hair I'd recommend Rene Furterer's Okara 2 Phases No Rinse Conditioner. It's great because it contains a witch hazel extract that helps set haircolor and seals the hair's cuticle, which slows fading and keeps haircolor vibrant. It contains protein, which strengthens the hair, and it detangles as it conditions.
What's your favorite leave-in conditioner?
Mischo Beauty Closet: Butter London's "Cream Tea" Nail Polish + Salvatore Ferragamo's White Python Clutch
Butter London's "Cream Tea" Nail Polish + Salvatore Ferragamo's White Python Clutch = MISCHO BEAUTY
Mischo Beauty Extra: "Gorgeous" by Sinful Colors
You may remember this color from a previous post. It's called "Gorgeous" and it's by Sinful Colors. I had actually forgotten about it until I was looking for cotton balls, knocked over a few products and there it was. I love the color in the bottle and was always curious to see how it would actually look on me?
What do you think?
Mischo Beauty Review: Lancôme CILS BOOSTER XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Base
I had to tell you all that my friend Andrea is truly a beauty expert too! You may recognize her name, as she is the one pictured receiving the Face Map skin analysis from the Dermalogica skin therapist. You see, she was one of the first to start reading/commenting on my blog and over the course of a year, she's shared with me quite a few of her favorite beauty products- some of which I've grown to love myself. While we were in New York for Fashion Week, she introduced me to Essie's "Good To Go" top coat and most recently to Lancome's CILS BOOSTER XL mascara base.
Andrea's lashes are ALWAYS fabulous and I know she loves L'Oreal's Voluminious Mascara, though she will use MAC's Zoom Lash at times. But, her secret (thanks in advance Andrea!) is that she uses Lancome's CILS BOOSTER XL mascara base before applying mascara. The effect it has on lashes is so amazing- seriously! It instantly thickens, lengthens and volumizes- and of course I had to try it out myself. I'm sold! Oh, and I must tell you that Andrea was with me backstage during my interview with Mally Roncal and what Mally noticed first, when we approached her, was Andrea's lashes and she immeditately complemented her on them! Her lashes were definitely speaking for themselves!
Have you ever used a mascara base?
Lancome CILS BOOSTER XL Mascara Base
Mischo Beauty Pick: Green By Nature
There's another line of products I've recently fallen in love with and it's Green By Nature's Banana Shea collection of body products. I don't think I've ever used a "banana" scented body product and was somewhat hesitant about the scent of this collection, but surprisingly I like it! I've been using the banana shea total body wash, banana shea total body scrub, banana shea body butter and the banana shea hand cream in the mornings and I've found that the scent is a great "pick-me-up", especially on the mornings after I've run the night before.
My skin feels soft and hydrated after using the products, and I love the thick and creamy texture of the banana shea body butter and the banana shea hand cream. All Green By Nature products are 100% free of parabens, DEA, petroleum, propylene glycol, sulfates, sacchrine, dioxin and phthalates. The products aren't tested on animals, the price point is amazing and they are all available at Target!
Have you tired any Green By Nature products?
Mischo Beauty Pick: Clarisonic Skincare Brush
Since I've been testing out the Clarisonic Skincare Brush at home, I've been using it twice a day for cleansing (morning & night) and 2-3 times a week to assist with exfoliation. I'm not only using it on my face, but also on my neck and decollete (which is your second face!). I love that it's light weight and very easy to use and the bristles on the brush head are soft and smooth- and feel so gentle on my skin. It's waterproof, comes with a charger and the brush head can be removed for cleansing.
I've mentioned a few times before the importance of facial cleansing. Seriously, it's half the battle in achieving healthy skin. It removes dirt, makeup and dead skin cells, which in turn all ensures pores aren't blocked and prepares the skin for the penetration of other products (moisturizers, serums, eye creams, etc). This brush is great because it helps to ensure a deep, thorough and gentle cleansing. I'm loving my results and I feel it's worth the investment and totally worth adding to your at-home skincare regimen.
Have you used the Clarisonic Skincare Brush? Read More......
Mischo Beauty School: Hair Texture 101
So let's discuss hair texture. Hair texture is often a point of confusion, but simply refers to the diameter of each individual hair. The texture of hair generally falls into one of the following five categories:
A. Very Coarse
B. Coarse
C. Average
D. Fine
E. Very Fine
The coarser the hair, the thicker the cuticle (outermost layer of the hair) and larger the cortex (the middle layer of the hair). Stronger, coarser hair textures will be able to withstand stronger chemicals and rougher treatments than fine hair. For example, I have coarse to very coarse hair and I'm surprised that I have hair today after allowing stylist after stylist to overprocess my hair (unknowingly!) during my college years. But due to my hair's strength it's been able to withstand the damage!
Hair textures have nothing to do with the quantity of individual hairs on the head, so it is possible to have a thick head of fine hair and on the other hand, a thin distribution of coarse hair. Questions? Love your hair.
What's your hair texture? Read More......
Mischo Beauty: Beyonce's Marie Claire UK October 2008 Cover
Beyonce covers Marie Claire UK (October 2008 issue) - this is a must-have! I love her look, but I'm loving her trainer even more!
What do you think?
Mischo Beauty Fashion Week Coverage: 3LAB Web Beauty Editor Tour #NYFW
As I've said before, 3LAB was founded by two chemists and a dermatologist and is best known for producing products with the highest-grade of botanical ingredients and the highest percentages of anti-oxidant ingredients in the industry. I'm currently testing a regimen of 3LAB products, so when I was invited to participate in an exclusive web beauty editor tour on the last day of Fashion Week, I was more than excited! We were given the opportunity to meet the creators of 3LAB, tour the Research & Development Laboratory and Manufacturing Facility, and a sneak peak at the latest product launches.
This was our stop in the Research & Development Laboratory where ingredients are tested and products are formulated by chemists before sending them out for clinical trials.
The H Serum was the first product developed in the 3LAB laboratory. It's an anti-aging serum that contains the growth hormone Nano-Claire GY which works to both repair and reverse the signs of aging.
This is part of the Manufacturing Facility were products are packaged and prepared for distribution.
You may remember my lesson on masks and know that there are both "setting" and "non-setting" masks. 3LAB recently launched the Perfect mask, which is a "non-setting" mask designed to lift, firm and brighten the skin.
A very special thanks to Stephanie (my Spelman sister) and the team at 3LAB for a great tour!
Mischo Beauty Closet: Barry M Nail Polish in Grey + Christian Louboutin's Altadama Watersnake Pumps
Barry M Nail Polish in Grey + Christian Louboutin's Altadama Watersnake Shoes = PUT ON
Mischo Beauty Fashion Week Coverage: Dermalogica Visits the Total Beauty Suite at the Bryant Park Hotel #NYFW
Last Sunday, during Fashion Week, Dermalogica hosted the Total Beauty Suite at the Bryant Park Hotel. You may already know that I'm a huge fan of their Daily Microfoliant, Skin Refining Masque and Skin Hydrating Masque, so I was very excited to meet with the brand representatives and learn more! Dermalogica treated beauty bloggers to a complementary Face Map skin analysis and introduced their newest products. As you can see above, my friend Andrea is discussing her skincare needs with a Dermalogica skin therapist, as the 14 zones of her face were being analyzed and a skincare regimen of Dermalogica products were prescribed.
For those of you who've been following my blog, you know I'm passionate about the health of your skin and have encouraged you many times to seek out a professional skin analysis, which will then assist you in adopting an at-home skincare regimen. I also had the Face Map skin analysis done as well and was pleased with the product recommendations.
At the close of our consultation, we were given an amazing gift bag which included The Ultimate Buffing Cloth, Stress Relief Candle and the Spa Body Therapy skin kit. A very special thanks to Dermalogica for the wonderful consultations!
Mischo Beauty Extra: "You Dont' Know Jacques!" Nail Polish by OPI
Some of you may remember the color I wore to Fashion Week- which I loved, but after touring the Creative Nail Design Studio and falling in love with their #6, from the upcoming Spring 2009 collection, I was on a mission to find a chic gray for my nails. "You Don't Know Jacques!", part of OPI's fall/winter 2008 collection, is actually a taupe (grayish-brown) and to my surprise looks very chic on my nails.
I fell in love with it instantly! My friend Andrea introduced me to Essie's "Good To Go" top coat- and seriously- it is the FASTEST drying top coat I've ever used! I tested it out in cab, while at Fashion Week heading to a show, and it dried instantly with incredible shine- no smudges! Where has this top coat been all my life? Read More......
Mischo Beauty School: Skin Analysis 101
I've said this before and I'll probably say it a million more times, but I can't begin to name all the reasons why you should incorporate facials into your beauty routine! Not only are facials relaxing and pampering, but they are crucial to maintaining the health of your skin. In my opinion, and as a licensed esthetician, one of the most important steps in a facial treatment is the skin analysis. An esthetician can't properly treat you unless they know the following - which is only obtained through a proper skin analysis:
1. Skin type
2. Skin conditions present
3. Skin texture
The esthetician should use a magnifying lamp/light during the skin analysis in order to properly see your skin and perform detail work . A proper skin analysis will help the esthetician know what products and services should be performed and which are contraindicated. A contraindication is a factor or reason that makes it inadvisable to proceed with a treatment. They include certain medications, contagious diseases, skin disorders, medical conditions and skin irritation.
At the end of your facial service you should leave knowing what your skin conditions are and what you should use to improve your skin's health. You should now be knowledgeable enough to know how to properly select products for your skin type/issues.
Any questions? Love your skin.
P.S. I'm currently using a regimen of 3LAB skincare products and will post a review at the end of the month, so please stay tuned!
Mischo Beauty Fashion Week Coverage: Davines Backstage at Geova Spring 2009 #NYFW
I was given yet another backstage opportunity and it was to cover Davines backstage at the Geova Spring 2009 runway show. I'm a HUGE fan of Davines products since learning about and using them during my apprenticeship at Vidal Sassoon. My favorites are definitely the Lovely Smoothing Shampoo & Conditioner. I also love the No. 9 Structuring Mist Finishing Spray.
The Defining Volume Mousse was actually mixed with the Defining Texturizer to add lift at the roots through to the midshaft, protect the hair from the heat of the curing irons and add shine.
The Defining Texturizer is heat activated and provides lift at the roots, while strengthening the hair.
The No. 9 Structuring Mist adds shine to the hair, as well as a flexible hold. So, if the designer were to change the direction for the hair, the hair can easily be re-styled.
The inspiration for the look was "1920's Surrealism" and the final look consisted of a deep side-part, with hair curled, waved,teased and effortlessly swept to the side.
What do you think?
