Beautiful Skin Blog by Belisi

Ah, the joys of being a woman. We get to unabashedly spoil ourselves with spa treatments and beauty products delicious enough to eat. While men tend not to go to such lengths, they don’t have to. That’s right — they get to grow old gracefully with that thick skin of theirs and plentiful collagen reserves. And nobody lets us forget it.

Walk into any Sephora or even your local drugstore and you can go blind looking at all of the anti-aging products that remind us of how imperfect we are—and that we dare not let nature takes its course. Aside from the usual culprits—fine lines and facial furrows—one of the biggest beauty concerns for women are undereye circles.

According to a recent survey by Clinique, about 53 percent of the 13,000 women surveyed by the company cited under-eye circles and puffiness as their No. 1 beauty concern. An affliction that makes no exceptions for age or race, dark circles under the eyes is a pesky problem that’s hard to fix — but not for a lack of trying by skincare companies. One dark circles sufferer started a dark circles blog to share advice with others with under-eye circles.

The site lists the myriad reasons for under-eye circles including heredity (thanks Mom and Dad!), nutrition, medications, lack of sleep, blood circulation, allergies, sun exposure and dehydration. We just can’t win.

Sephora sells more than 50 products designed to specifically treat under-eye circles. Enter the words “dark circles” on Sephora.com and you’ll get eight pages of results. But not all products are created equally or treat the underlying causes. That doesn’t keep consumers from trying products that claim to turn back the clock or diminish undereye circles.

The challenge with treating under-eye circles is figuring out what’s causing them. Most people think dark circles mean you’re tired or tossed back too many margaritas at happy hour (which are possibilities—lack of sleep and alcohol do exacerbate dark circles).

The most likely reason for chronic under-eye circles is excess pigmentation in the skin. Dark circles can happen to people of all skin types but are especially prevalent among African-Americans, Southeast Asians and Southern Italians.

Dilated blood vessels close to the thin under-eye skin are another cause. Here’s a less commonly-known culprit: airborne allergens, which cause blood to pool under the skin. The good news is that people with allergy-triggered dark circles can often alleviate their symptoms with an antihistamine pill.

And we can’t forget about the aging process. As we get older our skin gets thinner—so those dark rings under the eyes can appear darker. Medications like birth control pills can also dilate blood vessels.

The problem with many products on the market is that most don’t work for people with excess pigmentation or dilated veins. For people who don’t know why they have dark circles, a topical product containing a plumping agent or alpha-hydroxy acid, which thickens skin, or vitamins C and K, which add volume, can diminish the appearance of dark under-eye circles.

If all else fails, there are laser treatments to resurface skin by destroying pigment cells. The process is not pain-free and it can take weeks to return to normal (i.e. public) activities. But if it means no more dark circles, it could be worth the discomfort and inconvenience.

Leading products that treat under-eye circles:

Shiseido’s White Lucent Brightening Eye Treatment

uses vitamin C, which minimizes melanin, and chestnut rose extract, which the company says thickens skin. The brightening effect reflects light for a luminous glow while the Spot Deacti Complex addresses both melanin formation and poor local microcirculation, two major causes of dark circles.
The Dark Circle Targeting Complex reduces melanin and diminishes the appearance of melanin pigments.

Hylexin

Hylexin is designed to help reduce hemoglobin degradation by-products (the stuff that creates dark circles). It does this by optimizing enzymatic activity, fading red-blue pigmentation of dark circles. Studies indicate that Hylexin actually helps strengthen the capillary matrix to help stop the "leaking," so the delicate skin in the orbital eye area is protected against further damage. Katherine Hagel is reportedly a loyal fan.

Decleor Hydra Floral Deeply Hydrating Eye Contour Gel-Cream

Hydra Floral Eye Contour Gel-Cream dispenses moisture gradually throughout the day to keep eyes looking refreshed, smooth, and bright. Infused with a unique caffeine derivative and a plant-based firming agent, Hydra Floral helps to constrict and reduce dark circles and signs of dehydration.

No matter what, remember that not getting enough sleep, drinking too much alcohol and excessive sun exposure can cause dark circles to appear worse. So, treat your body with care!

Admit it or not but we’re all secretly hoping for a magic potion to keep Father Time at bay. While I won’t give up hope, I realize there really isn’t a fountain of youth. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to sit back and age “gracefully”.

Retinol has been around for a while—available originally through dermatogolists to treat hyperpigmentation, photodamage, and pore size.  Today, many products include retinol. Great, right? Saves a trip to the dermatologist. Unfortunatley, not all Retinol products are created equally. 

So how do you choose the most effective Retinol product for your needs and using it properly to get the results you want?

Follow these tips:

• Retinol products containing pure and stable Vitamin A are most effective. Retinol’s structure allows it to immediately get to work improving skin’s appearance. In contrast, Retinol esters (pro retinol, retinyl palmitate, retinyl propionate, etc.) first have to be converted into Retinol before they can begin to work.

• Retinol fights fine lines and deep wrinkles. Whether you want to prevent future signs of aging or want to appear years younger (or both!), there’s a Retinol product suited to your needs. For deeper wrinkles, opt for a formula that offers an ultra-effective combination of Retinol and an Essential Mineral Complex.

• Retinol’s strength is not only determined by its concentration.  Retinol’s effectiveness relies heavily on its formulation and delivery system. A product containing a higher percentage level of Retinol will not necessarily work better or faster.

• Retinol must penetrate skin to improve it. Delivering Retinol in an encapsulated form enables it to penetrate into the skin’s surface, improving performance. Many other over-the-counter products only topically coat the skin, compromising results.
• Retinol can degrade if not packaged properly. An air-tight, opaque tube or bottle helps maintain the formula’s stability by preventing oxygen or UV-light penetration.

• Retinol works best when introduced gradually to your regimen. Using Retinol is like training for a marathon. Slowly build up your tolerance level—begin by applying a product containing Retinol every other day. Once your skin adjusts to this effective ingredient, you’ll be able to incorporate it into a daily skincare regimen with little chance of flaking or redness.

• Retinol products can be safely used on sunny days. You don’t have to forego Retinol’s anti-aging benefits during daytime hours. A formula containing SPF 30 will provide adequate protection from the sun’s rays like RoC’s newest product Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer With SPF 30.

• Retinol will complement AHA (Alpha hydroxy acids). Alpha hydroxy acids exfoliate the skin, enabling Retinol to penetrate into the skin’s surface even more efficiently. A product containing both ingredients is best used at night to avoid sensitivity.

• Retinol can help prevent the signs of premature aging. Early use of products containing pure and stable Retinol will help to combat fine lines before they start to appear noticeable, so skin continues to look years younger than it’s true age.

• Retinol improves more than just wrinkles. It not only reduces the appearance of fine lines and deep wrinkles, but also improves skin tone, the signs of photodamage and pore size. Combined with sun protection, it’s the gold standard in anti-aging.

::A. Covington for Beautiful Me

Celebrities know all the great beauty tricks for looking younger and hiding flaws. Now you can too.

Younger looking skin

In Hollywood skin regimens, it’s all about prevention. But let’s face it, sometimes Nature has its way with our skin before we realize what’s happening. Stars like Felicity Huffman rely on super serums like Leaf & Rusher Active Serum to stave off the signs of aging. In this heavy-duty beauty product Retinol and vitamin C join forces to battle fine lines and wrinkles and boost collagen production. 

Foundation that pulls double duty

Ever wonder why celebrity skin looks so great? According to Fatima Olive, a celebrity makeup artist who has worked with Christy Turlington, Jessica Simpson, Maria Sharapova and Petra Nemcova, it’s because professional makeup artists always use two to three different colors of foundation to highlight and low light different pigments all over the face. Most women don’t realize their skin tone varies and buy only one shade of foundation.

Here’s an easy pro trick: Use a dual foundation compact like Redpoint’s Transformative Dual Foundation. With two shades, you can easily blend and match to bring out a particular feature. The compact is also a great easy tool to have throughout the seasons as skin tone tans and fades. Check out more makeup tips from the pros here.

Even out skin tone

Reese Witherspoon, Daisy Fuentes, Nicollette Sheridan and Jennifer Hudson know something we don’t know … until now anyway. All are fans of Per-fekt Beauty’s skin perfection gel—all-in-one antioxidant enriched primer, sheer foundation and color corrector that dries with a gorgeous powder finish.

This power foundation glides on effortlessly to instantly even skin tone, control oil and reduce the appearance of redness, enlarged pores and fine lines. Alpha Lipoic Acids fight aging and Vitamins A & E repair and protect skin from future damage. Available in 5 sheer shades that perfectly match all skin tones for $57.50 at Sephora.com.

Get a Healthy Glow

Piling on tinted moisturizer is one way to try for the sun-kissed look, or you could hydrate and nourish from the inside out. Drinking enough water (yes, you really should drink 6-8 8 oz. glasses) is a start. Giving your body the nutrients it needs is another way to look like a dewy goddess.

CherryPharm (isn’t that clever?) is a favorite of Courtney Cox and Kate Bosworth for clear, glowing skin. CherryPharm is packed with antioxidants, helping to reduce inflammation and redness—and you get 2-3 servings of fruit in each bottle. Cherries and cheers to looking and feeling great!

Pamper your way to better skin

Looking your best isn’t all pain—it can be a lot of fun taking care of your body and skin. Celebrity esthetician Joanna Vargas’s Triple Crown Facial helps leading ladies achieve that young and dewy look (and without Botox!).

Offered in NYC and LA, the Triple Crown Facial begins with the “diamond peel” for gentle exfoliation to remove impurities. Next, the facial muscles and the skin are stimulated with a special microcurrent to tighten and enhance skin elasticity, then it concludes with an oxygen treatment that supplements the skin with all the needed nutrients through vitamin infused 98% pure oxygen.

Plump Up Lips

Candace Bushnell, author of Sex and the City and Lipstick Jungle appeared on The Today Show on Feb. 14, 2008 with gorgeously plump, lush, glossy lips. Her secret?  DermaQuest’s spectacular C-Lipoic Lip Enhancer.

This lip treatment is enhanced with Vitamin C and contains Alpha Lipoic Acid and Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, plus additional ingredients to moisturize and increase lip volume. It also stimulates new cell growth for rosy, healthy lips and has a gorgeous orange fragrance and flavor!

Or, you could try a few tricks of the trade. “I find that the oldest trick is outlining in the 1950's ‘crueler’ style,” says celebrity makeup artist Ashunta Sheriff.  “Think of Joan Crawford, Lana Turner or Dorothy Dandridge. Going outside the lip line makes lips look dramatically bigger.  Of course if liner is something you don’t use, there are plenty lip plumpers out there.  My favorite is Lip Fusion which comes in many colors.”

Get Toned Skin

The Dynamic Trio: Grapeseed Extract, Green Tea, Hyaluronic Acid

Just like a Hollywood star is never a solo act (think personal assistants, managers, stylists, makeup artists, trainers, nutritionists, etc. that help her maintain a glamorous image), no one beauty ingredient treats all skin conditions.

There are three naturally occurring skin-tightening and anti-aging powerhouses catching the attention of celebrities: grapeseed extract, green tea and hyaluronic acid. 

“Grapeseed Extract is a natural skin brightening agent that diminishes uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation,” says David May of PRESCRIBEDsolutions,  a line of high-performance skincare products. It also has benefits as an anti-scarring agent.

Green tea (also known as Canellia sinensis) extract is a mixture of seven polyphenols that react rapidly to inactive free radicals (electrically charged oxygen particles) that are a source of major damage and aging of the skin.

“In clinical trials, green tea extract has been shown to prevent free radical attack 56% longer than an equivalent concentration of Vitamin E,” May says. “Green Tea Extract also enhances the absorption of anti-inflammatory ingredients into the skin.”

Hyaluronic acid may sound ominous but it’s actually an organic acid present in human skin, naturally making it the most effective natural skin moisturizer (it can hold up to 500 times its own weight in water).

According to LiveLonger123.com, hyaluronic acid has been scientifically proven to stimulate new cell growth. When should you use it? Use after exfoliation to protect, hydrate and moisturize (it’s great for all skin types).

You can find all of these ingredients in PRESCRIBEDsolutions’ skincare products including cleansers, anti-aging serums, hydrators  sold exclusively in medical offices.

It’s only natural that celebrities think they’re special enough to have beauty products customer tailored. But you can do this too! Think of it as having a dressed tailored to fit your body type. When visit a doctor’s office that carries the PRESCRIBEDsolutions line, they can customize your skincare solutions with condition specific boosters to address concerns like hyperpigmentation, anti-oxidant protection or the need for firming.

Three Custom Color Specialists is another beauty line that will custom blend makeup to suit your specifications. And there’s nothing like having your own signature style.

::A.Covington for Beautiful Me 

At-home LED machines turn back the clock

Without light we’d all be hollowed out—not to mention pasty—versions of ourselves. Plants wouldn’t grow and the earth would be blanketed in depressing darkness. But unlike those nasty tanning beds, a new kind of light is good for our skin, as much as our psyches. LEDs (light emitting diodes) have been available in dermatologist and cosmetic surgery offices for some time but treatments aren’t cheap and the progress is slow.

Photo: DermStore.com

While you’ll still have to be patient with results, a one-time investment of a few hundred dollars for the recently FDA-approved New-U home unit from Photo Therapeutics, Inc. or the an Evis Marvel-Mini, and getting to erase wrinkles while you watch American Idol seems worth it. The at-home versions don’t have the same amount of diodes per square inch as medical-grade LED machines, so you will have to do the treatments for longer; however the trade-off is worth hundreds, or thousands, of dollars. 

The Omnilux New-U device is designed to treat periorbital wrinkles and general signs of aging. The manufacturer hired Neil Sadick from the Weill Medical College at Cornell University's Department of Dermatology to conduct a clinical trial, which demonstrated a significant reduction in periorbital wrinkles and improvements in skin tone, clarity, smoothness and elasticity in participants.

When buying an at-home LED machine, experts advise to look for FDA approval, which means the device does what the manufacturer claims it does. Evis Marvel-Mini from Ageless Beauty Corporation offers three hand-hand LED devices that treat different conditions—the green to reduce hyperpigmentation, red to banish wrinkles, blue to zap blemishes into outer space.

:: A.Covington for Beautiful Me

Ultra hydrating mask leaves skin smooth

If you live in a seasonal climate, you’re skin is taking a beating from the harsh winds and the super dry air. Even if you live in a warm climate, you still need to feed your skin to keep wrinkles and blemishes at bay. One easy to get extra moisture is with a moisture mask like the Jurlique Moisture Replenishing Mask ($45). Slather on the hydrating mask and 20 minutes later your skin is left feeling soft and revitalized.

You use toner for your face, why not the rest of your body? Get your blood flowing again with Dr. Hauschka Rosemary Leg and Arm Toner ($32.95). Ingredients like Rosemary essential oil and castor oil (don’t worry, you don’t have to drink it!). Just rub some in and restore that healthy glow—especially on those bitter winter mornings when your skin looks as dewy as a bag of ragweed.

It's a New Year and a new you! It's time to take your beauty regimen seriously. If you haven't had time to formulate your beauty resolutions for 2008, we've done it for you:

I resolve to take care of my hair

It’s not pleasant to think about but our hair becomes a dead protein as soon as it emerges from our scalp, which means we need to take extra good care of it to ensure it continues to look shiny and lustrous as long as possible. Styling tools, harsh water, chemicals and products wreak havoc on your hair. Make a resolution to take better care of it and you’ll enjoy a New Year with fewer bad hair days, guaranteed.

I will wash my face every night

We’ve all done it. You stay out late or fall asleep in front of the TV, and the last thing you want to do is get up and go through your beauty regimen. But playing hooky with this critical step could have unpleasant repercussions, even if you only miss one face washing. Not only will makeup and moisturizer clog your pores, all of the environmental debris that’s landed on your skin throughout the day will … you guessed it … stay there! Think acne, wrinkles and dull, lifeless skin. Who wants that? Make sure to wash your face every night and on those nights when it’s too much work—use a one-use all-in-one makeup remover and moisturizer.

I will wear sunscreen everyday

We’ve been pounding this in for years now. Sun exposure leads to premature aging and skin cancer. Even on cloudy days, you need to wear an SPF to protect your skin’s elasticity and collagen supply. Think about it this way, it’s easier (and less expensive) to slather on a little sunscreen then it is to go through painful, unsightly and costly laser treatments down the road.

I will clean up my makeup drawer

Is your makeup drawer a mess? Broken eyeshadows and a scattering of lipglosses and makeup brushes? Get it under control! You’ll feel better and avoid frantic searches at the last minute for that new crème blush you bought. Invest in some pretty cosmetic bags to keep your beauty goods organized. And while you’re at it, get rid of old makeup applicators and containers. Dermatologists recommend throwing out beauty product after one year because we can transfer bacteria from their fingers to jars of moisturizers and other cosmetics.

I will get more adventurous

It’s a new year, a new you. Try some bolder eyeshadows, lipsticks and why not try a new fragrance? There are many options when it comes to rich, pure pigments to try, and flirty, sexy and feminine perfumes.

I will stop smoking

If you smoke, it’s not too late to stop. You know smoking is terrible for your lungs, makes you smell bad and violates the air space of everyone around you. But another great reason to give up smoking is to slow down the aging process. You can stave off those vertical lines that show up around the mouth, and the crows feet around the eyes and sallow, dry skin just by giving up a dangerous and all-around unsexy and uncool habit.

I will stress less and get more sleep

Being stressed out is never fun but if there was ever a reason to try to relax, it’s to keep your skin looking its best. It’s believe that psychological stress may impair the skin’s barrier function, which keeps bacteria out and water in. In fact, some studies show that people with chronic stress heal more slowly. Lack of sleep and stress can lead to skin disorders and illness, not to mention undereye circles and bags. Get to bed girl!

To help your skin get back on track, give it the detox treatment by Skyn Iceland.

~A. Covington for Belisi Fashions

Get a party girl glow

While all the late night parties and yummy holiday cocktails are fun, they can take a toll on your face. With New Year’s celebrations right around the corner, a little preparation will help you save face—literally.

Start with a little prep work. A good mineral mask (I like the Astara Activated Sea Mineral Mask) will revitalize skin to give it a healthy, radiant glow.

Before applying makeup, apply a hydrating foundation primer, like Laura Mercier’s Hydrating Foundation Primer. Make your foundation last by mixing it with waterproof sunscreen. It’s meant to withstand hot temps, water and persperation. So if you plan on hitting the dance floor, you don’t want your foundation to run.

Dramatic eyes without the Hassle 

It’s New Year’s after all and you want to do up your eyes in dramatic fashion. But at the end of the night you don’t want to have to deal with heavy eyeliner and smoky shadow. Fake eyelashes add drama without the hassle. Just pop them off at the end of the night, and you won’t have raccoon eyes in the morning. Mac Cosmetics #2 fake eyelashes  will do the trick. 

Get Sun Kissed

A creamy mousse blush will remain flawless for hours of fun. Try Magique Mousse Blush by Lancome for a radiant look all night long. The orange-y fake-n-bake look is out; warm up the scene with subtle sun-kissed shoulders, arms and legs with Caudalie Fresh Complexion Tinted Moisturizer

Party Time

When you’re ready to hit the party, make sure you’re night ends with a bang instead of a bust. Pace yourself by spacing out drinks every hour, alternating with a full glass of water in between. A drunk, out-of-control is not sexy—or safe. Stick to light-colored drinks too like vodka and soda, as darker spirits can contain impurities, which lead to hangover headaches.

Make sure you eat plenty of food to slow the speed alcohol reaches your bloodstream. But don’t snack on everything within reach. Avoid starchy and salty foods, which cause water retention. Go for lean proteins (chicken, shrimp and salmon) and complex carbs like carrots but avoid sauces that are high in sugar (shrimp cocktail is a common culprit).

Keep your makeup looking fresh with a compact-sized cosmetics palette like Benefit’s 10 Palette that includes eye shadow, lipstick, blush and two bronzers. Add instant hydration with a facial spritzer; keep a bottle of Clinique Moisture Surge Face Spray Thirsty Skin Relief in your purse for a refreshing skin reviver.

Bed-time Rituals for the Partied Out

After a hard night of partying, you might not feel up to your complete beauty regimen. Before you head out for the night, stock your nightstand with some one-use, all-in-one makeup remover wipes. La Fresh Eyes & Lips Make-Up Remover easily removes the toughest waterproof mascara, eye liner, eye shadow, and lipstick. Keep your

and a bottle of water and some aspirin next to the bed for easy access.

The Morning After

No matter what, a late night of partying will do some damage—but you can mitigate it by taking care of your skin the next day. Rejuvenate your skin with Dr. Brandt’s Microdermabrasion In A Jar, and drinks tons of water!

Skincare Worthy of a Feast

This holiday season, give new meaning to a moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips. With a cornacopia of delicious smelling products, it’s okay to pass the pumpkin pie and pile on the souffle. We even dare you to throw back a few margaritas. Guilt free!

If you’re in a giving mood, all of these skincare and beauty products make great stocking stuffers and gifts.

Healthy Sexy Hair Pumpkin Rehydrating Shampoo & Conditioner

Formulated with Pumpkin enzymes, this healthy, hydrating shampoo  and conditioner helps to promote circulation, promote healing and provide nourishment to dull, tired hair.   
ULTA.com

ULTA Cranberry Lip Balm

Enjoy cranberry on your lips (but not on your hips!) with ultra moisturizing lip balm.  The sweet, tangy flavor will awaken your senses while leaving your lips softer and smoother.   
ULTA.com





L'Eau D'Issey for Women By Issey Miyake

Quench dry, thirsty skin with a cinnamon treat.  This rich body lotion leaves your skin feeling fresh and revitalized with a hint of holiday sweetness.   
ULTA.com

Frederic Fekkai Apple Cider Clearing Rinse

Apple cider is more than just a warm, comforting beverage.  Frederic Fekkai offers his take on this delicious drink with this weekly purifying treatment that gently removes build-up, chlorine and other environmental impurities. 
ULTA.com

The Cocktail Party (without the hangover)

Leave your crazy uncle to drain the eggnog, you’ve got your own cocktail party waiting. These cocktail-inspired hair and body cleansers that smell just like the real thing. The set includes a 6 oz. Margarita, 6 oz. Mimosa, and 6 oz. Melon Daiquiri Shampoo, Bath & Shower Gel in a signature box.
Sephora.com

Laura Mercier Creme Brulee Body & Bath Collection

Indulge the senses with Laura Mercier's Creme Brulee Body and Bath Collection. Skin will feel fresh, supple, and moisturized--not to mention great smelling!
Sephora.com

Carol's Daughter Souffle Trio

These natural body souffles are light and fluffy, yet moisturize the skin like a traditional cream or body butter. Packed with yummy ingredients like almond oil, shea butter, and macadamia oil, you’ll smell like the dessert table but won’t go to bed feeling heavy.
Sephora.com

An Almond Moment

Take a moment to enjoy the warm scent of almond and sandalwood in this fragrance layering set. Cleanse with our refreshing body cleansing gel, which lathers generously on our net bath sponge. Next, hydrate the skin with our luxurious shea soufflé moisturizer; with natural oils and body butters. Seal in the intoxicating fragrance with a few spritzes of the concentrated fragrance spray.
CarolsDaughter.com

Bath & Body Works Signature Collection Holiday Traditions: Fun Frosted Cranberry

A deep, sweet blend of cranberry, citrus and warm woods makes this winter scent fresh and festive. Featuring a recipe of sweet ingredients like mandarin, key lime, pear, cranberry, red apple, pink pamplemousse, raspberry, and strawberry, you’ll get more attention than Mom’s famous apple cobbler.
BathandBodyWorks.com

Bath & Body Works Signature Collection Holiday Traditions: Winter Candy Apple

Crisp apple, sweet orange and pineapple mingle with cinnamon spice make for a  decident holiday scent.  And don’t forget the Liplicious Lip Gloss in Candied Apple and Holiday Traditions Home Fragrance Oil.
BathandBodyworks.com

White Chocolate & Orange Body Scrub

Who needs dessert when you can scrub up with this White Chocolate & Orange Body Scrub? Polish away dryness, remove dead skin cells and reveal soft skin while indulging in the sweet aroma of white chocolate and orange oil. Sugar cane extracts combined with other delicious natural ingredients make this sweet temptation worth it.
Aloette.com

You either love coupons or wouldn’t be caught dead presenting them at the checkout counter. When it come to household products and personal hygiene items, I really couldn’t care less if the person behind me in line at the grocery store thinks I’m cheap. Bring on the savings!

And who doesn’t love free samples? I don’t consider myself a hoarder, but I won’t turn down products that use everyday … for free. There are tons of sites out there that promise free samples but lead you on a wild goose chase through link farms and pop-up windows. What’s worse is that you may never get the samples or coupons … but what you do get is spam. Lots of it.

MySavings.com offers free samples for brand name products, including products you love and use every day to more expensive brands you want to try (like Murad beauty products). Who doesn’t love the idea of shopping online but when you’re done, your total is $0? All you have to do is select which samples you want, fill out your address and wait for your free stuff to come in the mail. Samples are a great way to stock your guest bathroom or get trial sized products to take with you when you travel or keep in your purse for emergencies.

Get free samples and coupons from brands like Tide, Purina and Nestle and health and beauty products from Always (you can never be too prepared) and Hugo Boss. You’ll find samples and coupons on items like laundry detergent, feminine hygiene products,  perfume, supplements, vitamins, and skincare. It's an online community, so other users share their experiences with specific samples--so you don't waste your time filling out forms for samples that won't come or aren't worth your time. And you won’t get spam.

Don't you just love discovering new ways to use everyday products? You know those long-handled bath brushes (also called massage brushes) that you use to clean those hard-to-reach places? Well, did you know that you can actually use a skin brush to help flush toxins out of your body? Our skin is our largest organ and everything we come in contact with is absorbed through the skin. Skin has a pretty big job pushing out all those toxins and sometimes it needs a little help. Skin brushing dry skin cleans the skin of all those nasty dead cells that clog pores and make skin dull and dry. A gentle 5-minute daily skin brushing is an easy way to boost the lymphatic system, increase circulation, improve metabolism, eliminate dead skin cells, help your body's natural detoxification process, and reduce the appearance of cellulite (hooray!)

How to skin brush (I know, it's seems intuitive, but there are a couple of things you need to know before you start scrubbing away):

Use a natural bristle brush with a long handle and start at your feet and work your way up over your ankles, knees and thighs using small circular strokes. Always brush toward the heart; remember, your skin is an organ and brushing away from the heart can upset the natural flow of blood and make you light headed.

When you reach your wrists, move up the arms to the shoulders and then down the tops of your arms and then over the shoulders, gently up the neck to the base of your head.

Use gentle clockwise strokes over your stomach to avoid creating digestive imbalance. you want to use a firm pressure but don't brush so hard or vigorously that your skin becomes irritated or tears. It's also best to avoid the sensitive skin on the breasts and nipples (if you do brush the breasts, just go easy!)

After several body brushings you can expect to see smoother, softer skin. And we all want that!

:: A.Covington for Belisi Fashions

Walk the aisles of any drug store or department store cosmetics department and your head will spin with all the different lotions, serums and elixirs that claim to tone, even out your skin tone, refresh dull skin, reduce fine lines and age spots and generally give you back that youthful glow. It's easy to get snared over and over again ... and before long your bathroom looks like a drugstore in its own right.

So I had the opportunity to try RoC Retinol Correxion Hand Repair for a week. And I can attest that this hand repair lotion with sunscreen really does turn back the clock on your hands. My skin is moisturized and the little lines are smoothed out ... after only 5 days! For only $12.99, can you afford not to try it?

With pollution running rampant and winter threatening us with harsh winds, forcing us indoors to face drying forced heat, sometimes our delicate facial skin needs a pick-me-up. But we don’t always want to pile on more moisturizer, clogging pores and starting the vicious cycle of pimples and doing more harm than good to our skin.

Facial spritzers, or water sprays, infuse a thin layer of moisture into your skin without “adding” anything. Facial spritzers do a lot more than give skin that extra moisture boost after a long plane ride or day inside a poorly circulated office. Depending on which one you buy, they address different needs.

Here are three of my favorite facial spritzers:

Bulgarian Rose Phyto-nutrient Facial Elixir - $21

Refresh on the go while reducing redness and inflammation with Vitamins A, C and E with grape seed extract (which also help diminish fine lines and regulate sebum production and stimulate collagen production). What you get is a quenched, glowing face!

Lather.com

La Roche-Posay Spring Water - $9

It feels like pain old water but its ultra hydrating formula contains
a unique combination of mineral salts and trace elements, including Selenium, Calcium, Silica, Zinc, Copper, and Bicarbonates. Many plastic surgeons recommend this product to their patients after laser and chemical peels, and its also great to use to cool inflamed, sun burned skin.

SkinCareRX.com

Vitamin C Energizing Face Spritz  - $14

I like this spritzer because it hydrates while giving your skin and senses an energy boost. It does wonders on dull skin, especially after long flights or road trips. The glycerin is an effective moisturizer, the orange oil refreshes and energizes and the vitamin C and B5 help to fight free radical damage and brighten skin, leaving it looking radiant. It’s like a wake-up call for your face.

BodyShop.com

:: A. Covington for Belisi Fashions

Omega-3 fats have gotten a lot of attention for their pro-skin and brain bolstering properties. Here's something you may not know: pumpkin seeds are packed with Omega-3s. In fact, pumpkin seeds are also rich in vitamin K (which may help prevent cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis). Each seed contains 50 percent oil packed with caratenoids, zinc and omega-3 fats. Zinc is known to help reduce inflammation in tissues, and promote a healthy heart, glowing skin and top-notch cognitive function. What's more, pumpkin seeds contain phytosterols, which may sound boring and scientific but they're really good for you; they absorb intestinal cholesterol, boost your immune system and possibly decrease the risk of some cancers. So what are you waiting for? Go get yourself a pumpkin!

Not sure how to prepare pumpkin seeds? Simply scoop out the seeds and rinse thoroughly to remove the pulp. Spread out on a paper towel to dry. Once they're dry remove any pulp strings, then place them on a shallow cookie sheet. Lightly coat with extra virgin olive oil and a dash of salt if desired; pop them in the oven at 160 degrees (oven times may vary) and roast for about 15-20 minutes.

Pumpkin seeds make a great snack and keep well for 1-2 months or even longer if you keep them in the refrigerator.

Let's hear it for pumpkin seeds! Check out pumpkin seed recipes at Cooks.com.

:: A.Covington for Belisi Fashions

Have you ever encountered a product so pricey that you've exclaimed "what is it made out of? Gold?" Well, now here's an unlikely product that really is made out of gold. And why shouldn't you slather a precious metal on that gorgeous face of yours? Orlane Paris Creme Royale contains Royale Gelée (royal jelly) and 24-karat gold extract, claiming to firm the skin and treat wrinkles and fine lines. For $650, it better be made out of gold.

Sure, marshmallows are great over an open fire. But on your face? While I am not advocating smearing a bag of marshmallows on your face (talk about a mess!), I do put my stamp of approval on Burt's Bees Marshmallow Vanishing Cream. The main ingredient is, you guessed it: Marshmallow Extract. For only $15, this moisturize competes with expensive brands. Its surprisingly emollient. Like all Burt's Bees beauty products, this is formulated with all natural ingredients, including dried perennial root, marshmallow, mango seed butter, grape seed oil and rosehip seed extract. The result is plumper skin and super hydration. Note, if you have oily skin, this is probably too hydrating. 

:: A.Covington for Belisi Fashions

We’re girls, and girls have stuff. From facial cleaners to foundation to eyebrow gel to moisurizer. And we need cool cosmetic cases to store all of our stuff. 

Vera Bradley Large Bow Cosmetic  $34

Love the handbags or hate ‘em, the cosmetic bags are kinda cute. Some of them are lined with vinyl on the inside. Overall, they’re sturdy and hide all those smudges and smears from makeup and creams.

Available in many colors and patterns
VeraBradley.com

MAC- $35

Three soft-sided rectangular makeup bags that fit into one. Constructed of lightweight nylon with Italian vinyl detail for easy cleaning, and it stores flat (making it great for traveling
MacCosmetics.com

Bobbi Brown brush bags $30-35
bobbibrowncosmetics.com

Cris Notti Blue Kimono Cosmetic Bag $58

The perfect size to hold your daily makeup regimen. Small enough of it inside an oversized handbag.

CrisNotti.com

Cris Notti Tangerine Cosmetic Dome $30
CrisNotti.com

Japonesque Folding Folio $35.95

Changes to perfectly fit your travel needs to keep you on the go. Each of the three zippered pouches has a clear window to show you exactly what you're carrying.  Simply remove any or all of them to create the right-sized folio for short-to-medium trips.  Each carry--all pouch is perfect for those short trips where you only need a few travel essentials.

Folica.com/Japonesque