Vitamin C Serum

Today's Annoyance: Not being born Gisele Bundchen
Mantra of the Day: Channeling my inner beauty is only one spa treatment away.

This is my new find. I can't say enough about how good this stuff is. To fill you in on my little secret, this is just what it sounds like - a concentrated form of vitamin C that comes in the form of a serum which is meant for your skin. (Please don't try to eat it!) You apply it once a day, right after you get out of the shower in the morning. The product can get a little pricey since you have to use it every day. When I am on the road, I like to use it twice a day because of nasty airplane air and strange water.

I discovered the stuff when I had a facial in Las Vegas. I thought that I was just signed up for your basic run-of-the-mill spa treatment, but it turned out that it was a vitamin C facial. I have always had trouble with spotty skin and as most women in their mid to upper thirties, I am starting to think about anti-aging products. This not only clears and keeps your skin clear, it also works against the hands of time, maintaining a gorgeous glow a la Gisele or Blake Lively. There are various companies that sell it and just about any brand will do. Check out your options at Beauty.com or Sephora.com.

Give it a go and let me know what you think.


[IMAGE: Courtesy of makeup.com]

Vitamin C Serum

Posted by Ava Pierce at 7:28 AM | Permalink 0 comments

Travel Beauty

Today's Annoyance: That grungy feeling you get after a long flight
Mantra of the Day: I make 6-hour flights look good!

There was an episode of Footballers' Wives where Tanya Turner has a long flight on which she meets a cute guy...yadda, yadda, yadda. Anyhoo, the cool part was where she goes to "freshen up" just before the plane lands. She "de-planes" wearing a totally new outfit, looking like she's ready for an awards show. Are you kidding me? If only! Wouldn't it be cool to do that? (sigh) Until I have the run of my own private jet, I'll have to settle with my usual travel beauty tips, which I'll share with you here:

1. Drink lots of water (no alcoholic beverages because they simply dehydrate you).
2. Hydrate my skin with a moisturizing skin mask.
3. Wear minimal make-up.
4. Use a medicated lip balm to hydrate my lips.
5. Wear clear nail polish (to avoid chipping) and bring a small bottle of acetone and clear nail polish for a touch up later.
6. Take a small container of lotion to keep my hands soft.
7. I know the Europeans make fun of Americans for this but I'd rather err on the safe side...take a small bottle of hand sanitizer.

I'm sure there are other things that I could be doing but so far, these basic steps have kept me from looking and feeling like a scary creature when I de-plane.

Feel free to share your travel beauty secrets.

Travel Beauty

Posted by Ava Pierce at 7:51 AM | Permalink 0 comments

Ava's Faves: Threading

Today's Annoyance: Old-school hair removal
Mantra of the Day: I don't remember life before threading.

This ancient form of hair removal is all the rage. I started having my eyebrows threaded several years ago and I simply cannot (and will not) live without it. Previously, I had tried tweezing and waxing; they just don’t compare. From what I’ve been told, threading is way better if you have sensitive skin. Plus, it’s fast and usually not expensive. Be sure to find someone who’s experienced though. Luckily, I’ve noticed more and more threading services offered in beauty salons and spas around major cities. I haven’t found a salon or spa with threading services in the south of France yet; if anyone knows of one, please, please let me know.

I did manage to find a self threading machine - the SunMaita Inc. Threader - but I'm a little hesitant to do it myself. If anyone has tried this, let me know.

[IMAGE: Courtesy of CLTV]

Ava's Faves: Threading

Posted by Ava Pierce at 8:17 AM | Permalink 0 comments

Barbie Nation

Today's Annoyance: Plastic surgery addiction
Mantra of the Day: Just because you can doesn't mean you should.

Barbie’s cool and all, but trying to be her is silly.

There was a story in the news recently about a Brazilian woman living in Houston whose goal is to have the largest breasts in the world. Wow, some goal. Between the swelling number of breast implants (pun intended), the 16-year-olds getting nose jobs and the “mature” women who are no longer recognizable because of the ongoing face lifts, botox treatments and chemical peels, it is clear that we have become a nation (if not world) of plastic surgery addicts.

What really blows me away are the people who order body parts based on celebrity features. “Yes, I’d like Jennifer Anniston’s nose, Pam Anderson’s boobs, a butt like J. Lo, and lips like Angelina.” What in the hell is happening? Why bitch about the potential for designer babies when we’re turning ourselves into life-sized Barbies anyway? Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m cool with a little nip and tuck but full-blown reconstruction of everything from head-to-toe? Unless you’ve been in a traffic accident, it can’t be that bad. Can it?

[IMAGE: Courtesy of Getty Images]

Barbie Nation

Posted by Ava Pierce at 7:01 AM | Permalink 0 comments