In previous years the beauty industry transitioned into the importance of being all natural with products ranging from skin care to spa treatments to hair care to cosmetics. In 2009 the focus will no longer just being about who is green or all natural, but about specific ingredients and their benefits. Pierce Mattie is known for forecasting trends in the beauty industry, so without missing a beat, the Beauty PR firm names the top 10 ingredients that consumers will hear more about in 2009.

Argan Oil: This incredible skin care miracle, known for being one of the richest natural sources of Vitamin E with 80% essential fatty acids, has been a beauty secret of Moroccan women for centuries. It can be dually used on skin and in hair for its high level of antioxidants and ability to replenish hair and skin’s natural moisture.

Acai: Sometimes referred to as “The Fountain of Youth,” this Brazilian berry contains antioxidants, amino acids, essential omegas, fibers and protein that positions itself as a formidable fighter in anti-aging products. Acai can be found across the board in skin care, cosmetics and hair care products.

Goji Berries: This nutrient-rich berry, well known as Wolfberries in the Himalayas, has often been called a “super food” due to its abilities to fight free radicals and boost the immune system. While there are no inherent benefits of Goji in fragrance, that hasn’t stopped perfumers from including this sweet yet tart scent into their perfumes.

Baobab: Rich in riboflavin, niacin and vitamins C, A, D and E, baobab has incredible anti-aging properties although you won’t just find it in creams and moisturizers, but also in exfoliating scrubs and hair care.

Acerola: Ingredients high in Vitamin C, like acerola, are being used more often due to their ability to even out skin tone and brighten complexion. Skin care brands will be using acerola more to target those who have issues with skin redness and inflammation.

Blueberry: Chock full of amino acids, vitamins, antioxidants and essential fatty acids, blueberries are another super food that will be used to fight aging in beauty products. Also known as a “super fruit,” blueberries have long been known for its ability to revitalize the skin; it was just a matter of time before beauty brands began to incorporate it more into their skin care products.

Probiotics: Last year Pierce Mattie PR termed probiotics a “buzzword” among beauty brands, but now those brands are delivering more than just buzz with this sister category to Cosmeceuticals and Nutraceuticals. Probiotic skin care will be branded as another “clinical-like” line of products, which beauty consumers tend to lean towards as science-based.

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-3: This Cosmeceutical that is becoming found more often in anti-aging products to fight fine lines and wrinkles will be even more prevalent in 2009. Products that contain Palmitoyl Tripeptide-3 will be branded as a temporary alternative to cosmetic procedures.

Myrrh: With the increasing popularity of Ayurveda in the Unites States, this ancient ingredient is also resurging in perfumes and skin care products. The rich royal resin with the slight vanilla fragrance so popular in incense also stimulates circulation and has lifting effects.

Turmeric: A highly regarded ingredient in India, Turmeric is widely known for its medicinal properties. Turmeric will be found in acne-related creams and lotions, as it is an antiseptic and can aid in preventing and removing blemishes. It will also be found in hair removal products as well as in the formulation of sunscreen in more natural products as well.

Here’s to you and all of your beauty!

Cheers,

Beth

Ever wonder how to get your guys “girls approved hair” ? Tonight I am attending a party to find out just how. The Prive Salon in Los Angeles and AXE Hair, the newest hair product from AXE are joining forces to demonstrate how to give your man’s hair the edge to get their looks back on track.

Research shows that a bad hair cut or style can hurt a guys’ game and unfortunately for them, they are clueless as to why. Celebrity Stylist and grooming expert, Diana Schmidtke will be doing demonstrations with AXE Hair and showing how easy it is to create gal-appproved looks that guys want and gals just love.

Diana is no stranger to celebrities, George Clooney and Matt Damon are amongst her list of clients in Hollywood who only trust their locks to Diana.

Stay tuned for my follow up on the event and tips from Diana on keeping your style fresh.

Kisses from Hollywood,

beth

There have been some pretty cool conversations going on in Twitter about Botox. And I cannot believe the number of people - gorgeous people - who are much younger than me, that get Botox. So I wonder, is everyone really doing Botox?

The talk of Botox came up in Twitter as a beautiful beauty blogger Lianne was about to get her first dose. That very same day, a random woman invited me to her Botox party. So, Lianne is the same age as me, and I obviously look like I could use some, as a near stranger thought I should have a bit of Botox too. I think I might do it. Well, at least I am making an appointment to see what the good doctor has to say.

Either way, I thought it was time to learn more about Botox and what it exactly does. Now, I thought I new all there was to know about Botox - apparently I don’t. So here is the info for you too, right from the makers of Botox.

What exactly is BOTOX^® Cosmetic?
BOTOX^® Cosmetic is a purified protein produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. It is a nonsurgical, physician-administered treatment that can temporarily reduce moderate to severe frown lines between the brows in people 18 to 65 years of age. During treatment, very low doses of BOTOX^® Cosmetic are administered via a few tiny injections directly into the muscles that cause those stubborn lines. The treatment is usually done in about 10 minutes, and no recovery time is needed. Within days, you may see an improvement that can last up to 4 months. Results may vary.

How does BOTOX^® Cosmetic work?
Those moderate to severe frown lines between your brows form over time as the result of muscle activity. BOTOX^® Cosmetic is injected directly into the muscles between your brows. It works by blocking the transmission of nerve impulses to the injected muscles; this reduces the activity of the muscles that cause those persistent lines to form.

When will I see results from a BOTOX^® Cosmetic treatment?
Within days, you may see a marked improvement in the moderate to severe frown lines between your brows. Lines continue to improve for up to a month, and results can last for up to 4 months. In clinical trials, nearly 90% of men and women rated the improvement in their appearance as moderate to better 1 month after treatment. Results may vary.

How long does BOTOX^® Cosmetic last?
Results from treatment with BOTOX^® Cosmetic can last for up to 4 months. If you discontinue treatment, the frown lines between your brows gradually will look like they did before treatment.

Who should administer BOTOX^® Cosmetic?
Any authorized healthcare professional can administer BOTOX^® Cosmetic, but dermatologists, plastic surgeons, ophthalmologists, otolaryngologists (ear, nose, and throat doctors), or other physicians specializing in cosmetic procedures are generally more experienced. One of these physicians can help you decide if BOTOX^® Cosmetic is right for you.

To get the most in depth and complete information about the treatment process, I would definitely recommend reading more at BotoxCosmetic.com.

If and when I do it - well, it is more a matter of when, I will update you with my thoughts and pictures. In the meantime, be sure to follow Lianne over at The Makeup Girl. She said she will be posting her before and after pictures tomorrow and I cannot wait to see those!

I ask again - is everyone doing Botox? Have you had Botox? Are you considering it?

Spider Veins are not pretty. We cover them with makeup and we cover them with clothing, when possible. There is a newer product out there where we can stop covering them start to fade them once and for all.

Auriderm Clearing Gel is made with Vitamin K Oxide that helps to aid in the reabsorption of hemosiderin (the pigment that gathers around these blood vessels that make the spider veins appear) while also helping to repair and rebuild the vascular walls so the pigment cannot attach to them.

Available only through your physician’s offices, this gel’s exciting new technology will help improve the discoloration of spider veins. It’s not a miracle product… it’s solid science backed by clinical studies that it’s proven to work.

The tube will cost you $40 and like I said is available through physician’s offices only. You can call the Auriderm consumer helpline number 866-424-6735 and give them a zip code to find a physician closest to you.

image credit: Auriderm

I have tried over and over. I just can’t get my husband to take care of his skin. Besides Ivory Soap that he swears by, (he use’s this to both clean and shave) I cannot get him to do anything else.

How about your man? There are plenty of skin care lines dedicated to men these days, and some even cater to the men and their anti-aging needs.

Zirh.com has some wonderful kits and products, and I am really wanting to get my hubby to try their Age-Defying Duo.

Other brands of note:

Jack Black, which has everything from pre and post shaving to deodorant and hand cream.

Anthony Logistics for Men, which has various cleansers, scrubs, soaps, and a complete shaving system.

Does your man use any skin care products?

Who said that they don’t get better with time? These aging actors are at the top of their game and in my opinion, HOTTER than HOT!

Talk about “Aging Fabulous”!

George Clooney - 46 years old

Brad Pitt - 43 years old
Matt Damon - 36 years old, well I guess he is still a baby
Andy Garcia - 51 year old
Don Cheadle - 42 years old
Bernie Mac - 49 years old
Al Pacino - 67 years old, No Way!

Can you guess that I can’t wait to see Ocean’s 13?

Have you heard of the thread lift?

A friend of mine, in her fifties, had a thread lift last year. I saw her about a week after the procedure, and I noticed some swelling to her cheeks. I honestly thought that maybe she had just had her wisdom teeth pulled, and thought not much more of it. Then a month or so later when we got together, she had two dimples on each of her upper cheeks, on each side, so four in total. I then had to ask her what she did. She explained that she had a countour thread lift, and wondered if I thought it was too tight. Her doctor wanted her to wait out a full three months before making any adjustments, but she ultimately decided on getting the threads loosened, just about two months after the initial procedure. Once loosened, she had a bit of swelling again, but within about a week, her face looked back to normal - just a bit more refreshed.

She was pleased with the procedure, saying that it caused little discomfort.

One of the easiest ways to protect skin from premature aging is by shielding it from things like the sun.

Lancôme just introduced it’s most powerful sun screen moisturizing solutions. It is called UV EXPERT 20 with MEXORYL™ SX. What is so exciting that this was just FDA approved for use in the United States. Mexoryl is an extraordinary, and extremely effective ingredient that protects skin from UVA rays.

It is a face and body sun protection moisturizing cream, with SPF 20. We should be using this each and every morning, before we put our best face forward to face the world.

UV EXPERT 20 with MEXORYL™ SX retails for $35. Visit Lancôme.com for more information.

The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends this product and gives Lancôme it’s seal of approval.

James Meschino, a fellow of the Academy of Anti-Aging Research and author of “The Wrinkle-Free Zone: Your Guide to Perfect Skin in 30 Days “, talks about the essential role vitamins and minerals play in skincare.

Here is a quick summary of what he highlights:
* It is a simple fact that radiant, more youthful skin demands proper external care plus adequate vitamin and mineral intake to provide nourishment to developing skin cells.
* Optimal consumption of nutrients is an essential, but often overlooked, step in enhancing the texture and beauty of the skin.
* In the past few years, studies have revealed the optimal doses of various compounds required to help the body manufacture the smoothest, softest and most radiant skin, as well as minimize the formation of wrinkles and slow other characteristics of skin aging.
* Ingestion of antioxidant vitamins and minerals from supplements has been shown to protect skin cells from free-radical damage induced by overexposure to ultraviolet light and various harmful environmental chemicals.
* Supplementation with specific doses of vitamin C, vitamin E, betacarotene, lycopene, selenium and zinc may boost the body’s ability to intercept and neutralize free radicals, defending skin cells from many of these damaging effects.
* A properly designed high-potency multivitamin and mineral that is fortified with optimal levels of specific antioxidant vitamins and minerals can help protect the skin from free-radical damage.
* Deficiencies of the B vitamins produce various forms of dermatitis (skin inflammation problems), including lack of skin smoothness, seborrhoea-like scaly lesions, and/or irregular pigmentation.
* While beneficial for limiting skin problems associated with aging, daily supplementation with a high-potency multiple vitamin and mineral can help address other body areas prone to aging and environmental damage.
* For instance, a good multi-vitamin can provide the body with the right blend and doses of nutrients needed to enhance nail hardness and the sheen and quality of hair.
* The daily ingestion of a high-potency multiple vitamin and mineral supplement is an important aspect of skincare and health promotion.

Every year, on our birthdays, we are always reminded that is time to make the yearly Doctor appointments. There is the physical from the primary care Doctor, the annual Pap Smear from the Gynecologist, the Mammogram, and if applicable, the colonoscopy, bone density scans, etc.

This year, we are doing something different in my family. Today is my mother’s birthday. Her wish is for us all to make our Doctor’s appointments a little early this year. As we have been dealt with a devastating blow just two months ago when my brother was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma Multiforme (a very aggressive, cancerous brain tumor), she wants us to do what we can for not only prevention, but for early diagnosis.

There are so many things that we cannot prevent, but as well, there are so many things that can be prevented with diet and medicine. And early diagnosis is such a key in fighting so many diseases. It is unfortunate when a disease cannot be detected through standard medical tests and only presents itself with symptoms, as in the case of my brother. Be sure to discuss with your Doctor anything that is bothering you, symptom-wise, even if you feel funny asking them about it.

So, I made my annual physical appointment, mammogram, GYN visit, and scheduled a meeting with a gastroenterologist about possibly having a colonoscopy. I will be 40 this year, and my sister is having one tomorrow, as she had a little problem, and my father just had a pre-cancerous polyp removed from his colon last month.

Please join me and make your annual Doctor appointments if you have not yet this year, or have let them lapse. We cannot age fabulously, if we cannot age healthily.