THE LAW OF LIPSTICK

What has a lifetime of experience in the cosmetics industry taught us? When the economy goes down, cosmetic sales go up. Way up. When higher priced items become harder to get, sales of smaller luxuries go through the roof. This is the Law of Lipstick.

Leonard Lauder, Chairman of Estee Lauder, coined a theory called, The Leading Lipstick Indicator, which simply states the economy can be read by the rise and fall of lipstick sales. Some of the darkest moments in the history of the United States, financial and otherwise, are followed by a hefty increase in lipstick sales. That is not to say women throw discretion to the wind. Quite the contrary. Women are smart consumers. They will buy one thing while sacrificing another, . . . it is the perfect order of things. Big value will be switched up for a better value. Feel good purchases will prevail.

Make no mistake, female consumers are a force to be reckoned with. After all, women comprise just over 50% of the population, make over 80% of the purchasing decisions, own 40% of all businesses, employ more people than the Fortune 500 companies worldwide, start 70% of all new businesses for the past decade and control over half the private wealth. That, friends, is what we call the Female Factor.

Hold on to your lipsticks, ladies, while we continue to drive the marketplace forward and meet the expectations of those financial wizards who predict the beauty industry will become the fastest growing retail sector despite the financial downturn. More sales, more money, more employment, more growth. Never underestimate the power of lipstick.

Quote of the Week:
"Not even the threat of a recession comes between a woman and her lipstick." Jen Melocco, Fashion Editor

MICRODERMABRASION

Microdermabrasion is a highly effective lunch hour power treatment ranked one of the top esthetic procedures performed in the United States. This non-chemical, non-invasive treatment offers the most benefits for the least amount of time, with no side effects and no negative downtime (when administered correctly by a qualified professional).

A solo 'face polishing' treatment will greatly improve the skin's texture and produce a smoother and more youthful complexion with a healthy, radiating glow. A series of treatments will gradually restore and refine the layers of the skin and trigger a reported 30% improvement in the skin's elasticity by stimulating the skin's natural bank of collagen. Firmness. Less wrinkles. Immediately following the treatment there may be a slight wind-burned feeling and redness, which will fade within a day. The expected results are noticeable improvements in tone and texture, pore refinement, and a reduction in fine lines.

Post treatment care consists of a steady regimen of moisturizing and sunscreen application. Microdermabrasion is also a great skin rejuvenating alternative for those who are sensitive to Retin-A or AHA (alpha hydroxy acids) based creams that may be too aggressive on certain skin types. This is not a recommended procedure for those who have eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, or cases of inflamed acne. Overall, this is one of the 'good fellas' in the skin care treatment world.

$100- $150 per treatment - Highly Recommended

* If you need assistance locating a spa or salon offering this type of procedure in your area, email us at beautyeditorpost@gmail.com

ALPHA HYDROXY ACID - AHA

Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) is the term used covering a broad range of water soluble, naturally occurring acids (fruit, milk) that are specifically incorporated into products to provide dynamic exfoliating benefits to the skin. AHAs work on the upper layer of the skin dislodging surface impurities, evening texture, smoothing the skin, attracting moisture, effectively reversing sun damage, and promoting cellular renewal. Quite a bag of tricks. The decomposition of dead skin residue also helps boost penetration of other beneficial ingredients.

AHAs may be a good bet if you have dull, 'ho-hum' skin that lacks that healthy glow, but a little caution will go a long way to finding the right product for your skin. Begin with a lower strength and increase slowly while your skin adjusts. This will mitigate any irritation your skin may have to the process, which usually results in redness, dryness and flaking skin. Not attractive.

In order to be sold to consumers, AHAs must have a concentration of less that 10%, although most 'over the counter' products contain 3%. There are five major types of AHAs in skin-care products - glycolic, lactic, malic, citric, and tartaric acids. It is now possible to get buffered glycolic acid products, which maintain a healthy concentration but increase the pH, therefore the exfoliation process takes place without the obvious physical signs of AHA-itis. BTW, fall and winter are the perfect seasons to introduce AHA into a skin care regime since AHAs tend to make the skin quite sensitive to sun exposure. If used during the spring and summer, sun protection is an absolute must.

BETA HYDROXY ACID - BHA

In the world of cosmetics, Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) is the term used to describe an oil-soluble, natural occurring acid that exfoliates cellular buildup while targeting the oil embedded in the pores. Although the exfoliation properties are similar to Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs), BHA performs at a deeper level with the ability to penetrate the pores and dislodge impurities. Oily, acne prone skin benefits more from this type of exfoliant than the AHAs. Beta Hydroxy Acid is considered less irritating than the AHAs, but the skin needs to be gradually introduced to this ingredient. Caution is required to prevent redness and inflammation.

Salicylic Acid is the star of this show. Derived from willow bark, salicylic acid is an effective weapon used against non-inflamed acne, psoriasis and eczema. Found in cleansers, lotions and creams, this ingredient speeds up cell turnover and targets the activity going on in the pores to help prevent clogging while breaking down blackheads and whiteheads. Its natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties have a positive effect on troubled skin, which in turn, results in improved skin texture and skin tone. A star indeed.

A few words of warning . . . those with an allergy to aspirin should avoid any products containing this ingredient as salicylic acid is part of the aspirin family. Sensitivity to sun exposure greatly increases so it is an absolute must to use an SPF. Pregnant women should check with their doctors before using any products containing a BHA.

SKIN TONE: THE PERCEPTION OF AGE

The focal point of the anti-aging world has historically centered around skin care that works hard at minimizing wrinkles, facial lines and sagging skin. Anti-aging always meant anti-wrinkle. More recently, however, the focus has dramatically shifted to the skin's tone and coloration, particularly since recent research concluded that the evenness of the complexion plays a critical role in the perception of one's age.

Case in point. A team of biologists in Europe used 3D technology to understand the impact of skin tone and discolorations with respect to beauty and aging. 430 participants were asked to guess the ages of digital images of 169 females between the ages of 11 and 76. The digital images were photoshopped to present healthier and even skin tones. Most were judged to be younger than their actual age. These results confirmed that skin tone greatly impacts a woman's perceived age, and in some cases, actually erred on the side of youth by up to 12 years.

Healthy skin reflects light evenly resulting in a youthful glow. Mature skin, on the other hand, lacks collagen and moisture and absorbs light which visibly translates to a dull complexion giving an older, more aged appearance. In fact, when light hits a rough and irregular surface, the light scatters and actually highlights imperfections. This research is invaluable to cosmetic companies to help 'set the right tone' of the anti-aging movement. Expect to see more effective primers, concealers and foundations on the market that will even out skin tone and present a much more youthful complexion.

SPA SWEEPSTAKES: 2011 ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO

2011 Albuquerque, New Mexico Sweepstakes
Enter by September 22nd
GRAND PRIZE: One winner and a guest will receive a four night getaway at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa; daily breakfast; two 60-minute spa treatments at the award-winning Tamaya Mist Spa & Salon; dinner in the resort’s signature restaurant, Corn Maiden; Rainbow Ryders hot air balloon ride; Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway passes; a hot air balloon ride from Rainbow Ryders Hot Air Balloon Company and Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway passes. Approximate Retail Value $2,930

SPA SWEEPSTAKES: OPRAH'S FIND YOUR BALANCE SWEEPSTAKES

OPRAH'S FIND YOUR BALANCE SWEEPSTAKES
Enter by September 19th
GRAND PRIZE: One winner and guest will receive a prize package that includes: two Diamondback bicycles selected by the winner, a BodyFit comfort foam yoga mat and carry bag, a one year membership to a yoga studio or gym, to be selected by winner; a spa treatment at a local spa near winner’s place of residence for winner and a guest; and a Sports Authority® gift card issued in the amount of $200.00. The total ARV for the prize package is up to $4,100.00.

DERMAL FILLERS: RADIESSE

Radiesse is not a hyaluronic acid dermal filler like Restylane or Juvederm, but is a synthetic product composed of very tiny microspheres of calcium hydroxyl apatite (CaHA), the primary mineral element of bones and teeth. It is said that, "these particles form a scaffold through which your body's own collagen grows, thereby producing long-term results." How long? The effects are reported to last from one to two years, thereby providing recipients with longer lasting facial corrections. This scaffolding effect is used primarily for face shaping and contouring, but has also shown very promising results for nose reshaping. Radiesse is a popular dermal filler with a lengthy safety track record. It's versatility and effectiveness has resulted in a high patient satisfaction profile.

Note: Radiesse is not recommended for use in the lips.

CAN DERMAL FILLERS BE REVERSED?

Yes, if the dermal filler is part of the hyaluronic acid filler family such as Juvederm, Restylane, Perlane, Prevelle, Hylaform, etc.

Hyaluronidase is a product used to correct, or reverse, the effects of a hyaluronic acid dermal filler should it be necessary. Hyaluronidase is FDA approved and made up of enzymes that will rapidly break down and decompose hyaluronic acid. It is important to note that it does not correct or have any effect on semi-permanent or permanent fillers, which are generally not recommended.

DERMAL FILLERS: TEOSYAL PRODUCT RANGE

Teosyal® Deep Lines is injected into the mid to deep-dermal layer and is a dense and voluminous implant used to treat deep nasal furrows, lip augmentation and the facial contours of the cheeks and jaw line. It is injected into the deeper layers of the dermis.
Teosyal® Ultra Deep is injected into the deep-dermal layer and is the Teosyal range's densest product, achieving an immediate volume-boosting effect. It is designed for creating or restoring facial volumes, resculpting facial contours, treating deep wrinkles in thick skin, erasing folds in the skin, correcting minor ptoses and restoring the face's original curves.
Teosyal® Global Action is injected into the mid-dermal layer and is suitable for mild to moderate wrinkles of the face; nasolabial lines, glabellar (frown) lines and periorbital and perioral areas.
Teosyal® Kiss is highly viscous and boasts high filling power for the lips. It is designed for reshaping lip contours, increasing lip volume, treating wrinkles around the mouth, supporting lip corners and rehydrating the lips.
Teosyal® Meso is injected into the superficial dermis and is recommended for the rehydration of the dermis (of the skin), on the face, neck, hands and décolleté.

DERMAL FILLERS: TEOSYAL

Teosyal® is the new generation of dermal filler made by the Swiss based company, Laboratoires Teoxane. This filler is made with hyaluronic acids that are quite viscous and dense and is said to offer more contouring and sculpting benefits that will last for a period of 12 months or more. It is reported to be one of the purest injectable fillers on the market, formulated with an extremely low protein content to reduce the risk of negative reactions caused by hypersensitivity. Teosyal® has also been carefully designed to ensure the filler stays in the targeted area and does not migrate to other parts of the face.

Teosyal® is designed to increase subcutaneous tissue in the contours of a face that has lost volume due to aging. It offers an immediate volumizing effect with the ability to sculpt the upper cheeks, cheeks and chin, as well as treat deep wrinkles and folds. The injections utilize a very thin needle that follows an application of xylocaine, both of which greatly reduce the discomfort during treatment. This procedure allows clients to return to daily activities immediately.

DERMAL FILLERS: CAPTIQUE

Have you heard of Captique and where can I find it?
Captique was a plant based, hyaluronic acid dermal filler used for volumizing enhancements, deep facial folds and wrinkles. It had a relatively lengthy track record in Europe and found its way to the US when it was approved by the FDA in 2004. Even with its successful history, it just never seemed to gain in popularity. Long story short, Captique never really caught on and eventually found its way to the bottom of the HA dermal filler list. As far as we can tell, the product is no longer in production and has been replaced by Prevelle Silk, a soft dermal filler used in the smile lines and lips.