Woo Hoo - Beauty Wonkette Loves This Full Body Facelift!

Beauty Wonkette seriously loves spa days, but has trouble finding the time. So, when she finds an at-home treatment that is truly worthy, she becomes a true devotee. Well, this little jar of magic isn't just spa WORTHY, the fact is it yields better results than just about any spa treatment Beauty Wonkette can recall.

Yes, indeedy, masques/masks aren't just for faces anymore -- to give your body a full tune-up for swimsuit season, try Ole Henriksen's African Red Tea Indulgent Body Mask. Algae firms up areas where skin is loosing elasticity, Bentonite and kaolin clay detoxify, honey inhibits bacterial growth, yogurt and vitamin C hydrate and improve skin tone. Either incorporate the mask into your daily routine -- midway through your shower, after cleansing and exfoliating the entire body, work the mask with your fingertips into every inch of your skin, from the toes to the neck. Wash off after 30 seconds. For a deeper firming treatment, Henriksen suggests applying the mask to trouble spots and resting on a warm bath towel for 20. Then rinse with cold water. "It may be a little uncomfortable," says Henriksen. "But it really helps to firm and tone the body." (Beauty Wonkette nods vigorously)

24.5 oz will run you about $65 at Ole Henriksen

The RETURN of Beauty Wonkette !!!

Yup - this time I'm back for good (more or less. Yes, my lovelies, Beauty Wonkette missed you....sorta. BW cannot tell a lie. We spent 3 months in Tuscany renovating our dream house. BW loves you, but did NOT miss you - or anybody else for that matter... xoxo

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK! my hormones!

No, no - it's NOT that time of the month.... NO, no - it's not a zit..... Well, then, what provoked that shriek, you ask? Well, last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration acknowledged that triclosan--the ingredient in everything from your cutest skivvies to cosmetics to toothpaste and antibacterial soaps--may pose a health risk. Specifically it may mess with your hormones, contributing to endocrine disorders (which impacts everything from fertility to metabolism) and may be the cause of increased resistance to lifesaving antibiotics. Disturbing fact of the day: Triclosan is so ubiquitous, in fact, that it's found in the urine of 75 percent of the population. So, it has taken Beauty Wonkette a bit of time to calm down as Beauty Wonkette is very sensitive about anybody messing with her hormones and / or endocrine glands!

Of course, the FDA is not telling us to ditch our triclosan-laced products just yet. They emphasize that they are reviewing the existing science--mainly animal studies--and will report back in spring 2011. That's a year away!

Beauty Wonkette is not going to be a freak about it (at least not any more of a freak than usual). AND, Beauty Wonkette loves her current lip gloss so much that the FDA will have to pry it from her cold, dead hands. But, Beauty Wonkette now considers herself officially done with antibacterial products and is going to make an effort to look at labels.

We live in a relatively germophobic society, but lathering up with antibacterial soaps isn't necessary--a solid 20 to 30 seconds of hand-washing with good old-fashioned soap is just as effective (and, as a bonus, it won't give you dry granny hands the way anti-bac products do).

Beauty Wonkette loves that The Body Shop, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe's sell only triclosan-free products.

Beauty Wonkette Celebrates Spring with a Zingy Peppermint Facial

Beauty Wonkette adores Spring. Maybe it's the bright sunshine, the cherry blossoms, the azaleas.... Whatever the reason, Spring is a time when everything feels new and energized and it is a fabulous time to give yourself an at home facial. Facials at home can be SUCH a relaxing experience, and something to look forward to after a day of Spring cleaning (you guessed it - Beauty Wonkette HATES housecleaning :( ). Once thought of as indulgences, today, facials are largely considered to be an essential part of a healthy skincare regime.

And why not? Facials can increase natural cellular regeneration by aiding in faster skin cell renewal and help make your skin healthy and vibrant. The use of exfoliating, extracting and hydrating helps remove daily impurities to reveal the skin’s natural state. Not only will you look better, you'll FEEL better.

And, as their popularity has increased, facials have evolved from the dull, old steaming and extracting routine to experiences where science, technology and even exotic foods (not to mention BIRD POOP.....lol) are combined to give your skin the ultimate clean-up.

While researching facials Beauty Wonkette came across an interesting peppermint facial scrub that she just had to try. It's easy to do, and requires a few simple ingredients. What caught BW's eye was the fact that this uses peppermint leaves, a leaf known for its medicinal properties. Chock full of Vitamins A and C, magnesium, potassium, inositol, niacin, and iron, this leaf is great for the helping the complexion. Usually associated with trying to naturally remedy acne, it has been used for more than 200 years for treating all kinds of skin diseases. And, even if you don't grow your own (just so happens that Beauty Wonkette does), peppermint leaves are very easy to find.

Soooo my fellow Beauty Wonkettes, here goes - just follow these easy peasy steps:

* Blend 1/4 cup dried peppermint leaves with 1 cup oatmeal (REAL oatmeal - NOT instant).
* Mix in a food processor or blender to form a coarse, dry mix.
* Put into a well-sealed jar and use a handful to rub onto wet, cleansed face and neck for a quick facial scrub.
* Add just enough water to make a thin paste.
* Stay away from the eye area. Rinse with cool water.

Enjoy!

Raising the bar (of soap, that is..... :D )

Being a bonafide product junkie, Beauty Wonkette has tried ALOT of products (ah, haven't we all???). That said, there are certain products that are etched in Beauty Wonkette's memory forever.

First up was some ungodly creation that was called something like Phisohex or Phisoderm?!?!? It came in a big green plastic bottle and was supposed to guarantee that my pubescent face remained zit-free. Unpleasant as the stuff was, I think it worked.

Next up was Noxema. The smell still makes me nostalgic. Then, I went the Clinique route. Everybody probably did at one time or another. But, then, Beauty Wonkette grew up and got a fancy shmancy job in fancy shmancy NYC and it was time for a real skin routine. That was when Beauty Wonkette became an Erno Laszlo girl (12:00 she was if the feeble memory still works). There was no product that made the impact that Laszlo's black soap made on Beauty Wonkette. ADORED it !

How can somebody get excited about soap (a question only the uninitiated would ask btw)? True, soap has been around for almost 5000 years. One would think it would have evolved a bit more since the Bronze Age, but there have been few advancements in its technology - at least, few for the better. It's one of the reasons Beauty Wonkette has a permanent place in her heart for all those artisan soapmakers out there. The soap they make may not be greatly innovated technology wise. But it's GOOD soap. It smells good, feels good, and is undoubtedly better for you than the dreaded Irish Spring BW's hubby refuses to part with.

For this reason, among others, Beauty Wonkette cannot help but get inordinately excited when someone comes up with truly inspired, innovative soap, like Erno Laszlo has done.

More than just a cleansing slab, Laszlo Blue Firmarine Treatment Bar is a wonder-chunk of skin-improving ingredients. As expected, it gently washes away impurities; but long after you've sudsed up, it's still working.

Like some of our favorite high-performance serums, the Firmarine Treatment Bar (which smells exactly how you'd expect the color blue to smell) features an encapsulated delivery system—a quality essentially unheard of in soap—that ensures the distribution of firming, smoothing, hydrating and antioxidant benefits from the likes of spirulina, algae, shea butter and vitamins C and E.

More anti-aging formula than cleanser (though entirely efficient as the latter), this brilliant bar is uniquely sophisticated in a sea of antiquated soaps.

At least that is what Erno promises.... ;- )

Visit the OPI website and have some fun!

Beauty Wonkette admits it; she has tested out a polish or two (or eight) while standing in the cosmetics aisle of her local Duane Reade. Perhaps you've seen Beauty Wonkette, standing there, not looking the wee bit guilty, with muli-colored tips, testing out the seasons hottest new shades, stinking up the store, and earning some serious dirty looks from many a passerby.

Yes, indeed, Beauty Wonkette is guilty as charged. But, now, OPI has created the perfect, non-offensive way to try out colors against your skin tone and nail length. My fellow aisle 3 testers, we’ve been saved by OPI’s Try it On Application. Conveniently located on their website, you can test over 200 colors and choose exactly what suits your occasion.

No more standing in front of shelves filled with lacquers while your poor manicurist waits impatiently at her station. You’ll know what to look for going in or can head to your local drugstore before your appointment and pick up a bottle, knowing whether or not it works for you.

On the site, you can filter colors by shade (pinks, purples, brights, etc.) or by collection. Which is way more organized than what your local Walgreens is offering up.

And, if you’ve had your heart set on a shade and (gasp!) it’s not at the drugstore when you get there, have no fear! Just download the free OPI app for your iPhone and you can test out the options from your phone, without resorting back to your aisle 3 tester ways.



Visit http://www.opi.com and click the “Try On This Color” tab or download the application at itunes.

Are you shampooing your hair the RIGHT way???

Okay, now, STOP ROLLING YOUR EYES THIS INSTANT! How does Beauty Wonkette know that you are rolling your eyes? Wellllll, because when Beauty Wonkette first read this SHE rolled HER eyes. After all, we've been washing our hair for an awfully long time. One assumes that one is doing it RIGHT. Si?

Well, maybe you are. But Beauty Wonkette still thinks this is a useful read....

Say goodbye to "bad hair days" with the right shampoo. Learn what to look for in a shampoo and which shampoos are right for your specific hair type. Beautiful, healthy hair is just a shampoo away!

Is your hair frizzy and out of control? Maybe it has no body and will never hold a style. If you’re not happy with the way your hair looks, your shampoo could be the problem. Even if you love your current look, the right shampoo can cut down on those hours spent blowing, teasing, and spraying in front of the mirror each day.

Choose the right shampoo. One of the biggest mistakes women make is choosing a shampoo based on price or smell. There is a real science behind all the ingredients that go into your shampoo. You need to read shampoo labels to identify those formulated for your specific hair type. The companies that produce hair care products conduct intensive research to develop shampoos that will bring out the best in your hair. Using a product that is not made for your hair could result in damage, increased risk of breakage, and a very unhappy customer — you!

Shampoo for oily hair. If limp, greasy hair is your gripe, your shampoo solution is simple: wash and go. That’s right, skip conditioner and use a clear shampoo (no creamy shampoos for you) at least once a day — twice when you’ve spent a good deal of time outside on an especially hot, sticky day. Leave shampoo on for at least five minutes and rub your scalp well — gently of course — while shampooing to remove as much oil as possible.

If you must condition after your shampoo, apply conditioner only to the middle and ends of your hair. And when you’re through, hands off! Avoid touching hair whenever possible and brush only when necessary.

Ingredients to look for:

* Panthenol which adds body by increasing the thickness of the hair shaft.
* Acidic ingredients such as citrus fruits to cut through layers of oil and dirt.
* Astringents such as tea tree oil, chamomile, rosemary, or sage which also break down oil.

Shampoo for dry hair. Restore dry or cracked hair (think split ends) with thick, creamy shampoos that contain natural oils and fats. You can even add a drop or two of safflower or olive oil to your hair to add shine and cut frizz. But even creamy shampoos contain detergents which dry out hair if used too often. Shampoo every other day to retain your hair’s natural shine, and be sure to follow with conditioner each time. Tight curls common among African American women may need a shampoo just once every two weeks. Dry shampoos (powders that absorb oil) can be used in between washes.

Colored or other chemical-treated hair is highly susceptible to dryness and breakage. Use shampoos specially formulated for color-treated hair, and wash your hair no more than once a day.

Ingredients to look for:

* Fatty alcohols like cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, and oleol alcohol which moisturize and soften.
* Jojoba oil, another great moisturizer.
* Vitamin E, which has bonus antioxidant power to protect hair from damage as well as natural moisturizing action.

Shampoo for dandruff-prone hair. If you struggle with dandruff, you’re not alone; in one study, almost three-quarters of participants reported having dandruff. Dandruff can be the result of poor hygiene and infrequent washing, but it may also be caused by overgrowth of yeast that normally lives on the scalp or other skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis.

The key to controlling dandruff is seeing a dermatologist to get to the root of your dandruff. He or she can recommend a medicated shampoo which will provide relief from scratching and reduce flaking.

Ingredients to look for:

* Antimicrobials like selenium disulfide, zinc pyrithione, and piroctone olamine, which inhibit yeast growth.
* Salicylic acid which breaks up clumps of skin cells on the scalp.

Shampoo the right way. Regardless of your hair type, follow these steps to ensure you’re making the most of your shampoo:

* Wet hair thoroughly using warm water to free trapped oils and dirt within the hair shaft.
* Squirt a quarter-sized mound of shampoo onto your hand, lather, and rub gently into your scalp. Do not pull your hair on top of your head to shampoo; that will lead to knots and breakage. Apply the shampoo at your hair roots and work it gradually towards the tips.
* Rinse hair with warm water to remove all shampoo.

If you do not shampoo every day, you may need to repeat the whole process to ensure all the built-up grime has been removed.

So, what say you? Have YOU been shampooing the right way for your hair type?