Whatever else you do to slow down the aging process may be less effective if you don’t get enough sleep. We need sleep because it restores and heals. Your body uses energy and resources to repair your body when you sleep that would not normally be used to repair your body during normal waking hours.

Image: istockphoto

Sleep Cycles & Stages
We go through four to six “sleep cycles” every night. Consisting of five stages ranging from very light sleep (stage 1) to very deep sleep (stage 4) and the rapid eye movement stage during which you are most likely to dream.

Figure out what time you should go to bed in order to get a good night’s rest. On average, sleep cycles take around 90 minutes. You can also figure out what time you have to go to sleep by counting backwards 7.5 hours. Of course, some people need six hours of sleep, while others need nine.

Complicating matters further, sleep cycles can range from 90 minutes to two hours. Requirement is based on lifestyle and need, each person is different.

Since the quality of your sleep is very important, consider the following:

Don’t eat any later than two hours before bed. It may give you indigestion due to the fact that your body is working on trying to digest the food. It also makes you gain weight because your metabolism slows down.

Add a little noise. If you’re like me and going to sleep in complete silence and darkness unnerves you, try music, soothing tapes, “white noise” or other sound distractions. I also find that meditating an hour before bed helps me relax.

Do some quiet activity instead of watching television before bed. (I’m not very good at following my own advice on this…lol).

Always remember that sleep is one of the best anti-aging tools out there – along with exercise and good nutrition.

Get enough sleep. I promise you’ll both look and feel better. Then you can really rise and shine!

Post from: Aging Fabulous

Many beauty experts, celebrities and other women around the country believe in LATISSE, a prescription treatment especially for hypotrichosis (another name for having inadequate or not enough eyelashes).

Image: LATISSE

This product is available only by prescription and any doctor can prescribe it. From LATISSE…

In most US states, consumers can purchase LATISSE from their prescribing doctor. In a few states, laws prohibit doctors from dispensing prescription products so you will have to fill your prescription at the pharmacy.

This eyelash solution has a suggested retail price of $120. Visit LATISSE.com to find out more information.

Particularly around the holidays, the glamour look is in — long, thick dark lashes and true red lips. If you are considering false eyelashes, LATISSE may be another alternative. Here is what a few celebrities have to say about the product.

Actress Brooke Shields – “I used to dye my lashes, and I’ve also spent so much time on Broadway putting on fake ones then ripping them off-I’ve actually had holes in my lash line from the damage that does. So I was even more grateful that LATISSE was able to make them darker and fuller.”

Actress Angie Harmon – “It’s all about lashes, the eyes are the window to the soul, so I’m super excited about [LATISSE]. All I want is more lashes!”

Beauty expert Anastasia Soare – “I’ve learned a new trick to making heads turn! My eyes ‘pop’ with longer, thicker and darker lashes with LATISSE. It’s a great option for me that delivers results.”

Post from: Aging Fabulous

1. Get enough Omega-3. Omega-3 fatty acids can help to heal your dry, rough skin, patches of psoriasis and other skin problems. They also help your skin at the cellular level by protecting collagen, plus keep skin lubricated and hydrated. If you aren’t getting enough Omega-3 in your diet through oily fish and other foods, add a supplement of  fish oil capsules (~ 1,200 mg) into your daily routine.

2. Pay attention to your neck. Avoid turkey neck, which is caused by a breakdown in collagen, by using firming products that tighten saggy skin. Look for skin products containing retinol and peptides.

3. Rid yourself of spider veins. Spider veins on your legs, arms and other parts are a sure way to show aging. Consider a sclerotherapy procedure at your dermatologist’s office that collapses these tiny veins with a very fine needle. It will take a couple months of treatment, but reportedly 80% of spider veins can be cleared.

4. Cover eye circles - Don’t just slap on extra foundation under your eyes and think you have your circles covered. Instead, use a yellow-based concealer that is lighter than your foundation. Apply with a concealer brush as lashline as possible and blend downward, as well as on the side of your nose. Perk up droopy eyes by curling your lashes every day and using a plumping mascara.

5. Skip the powder. As you age, skin gets less oily, so you don’t need as much face powder as you did in your 20s and 30s. If you notice that powder is causing your fine lines and wrinkles to be more pronounced, switch to a cream-to-powder or liquid foundation and forgo the powder altogether.

Image: sxc.hu

Post from: Aging Fabulous

Image: Skin1 by Dr. Gram

By reproducing stem cells from Buckwheat, the most powerful source of Rutin, compounding pharmacist Dr. Bernard Gramlich has created a natural version that does not oxidize. While working as a pharmacist, Dr. Gram began creating skin care products for his wife as well as his pharmacy clients. He created each product using only the highest quality ingredients.

Skin1 by Dr. Gram’s signature ingredient is Nutra-Vit Complex. It utilizes the synergy between niacinamide, glucosamine and two types of Vitamin E in order to fight inflammation and aging, renew DNA, moisturize and balance the skin and slow down discoloration.

There are three main irritants that disrupt the skin barrier causing inflammation: environmental (allergens, UV rays, pollution); hormonal (stress); and physical (using harsh products, medical and cosmetic procedures, preservatives). Acute inflammation is triggered in order to repair the damaged skin. The body doesn’t know when to stop ‘fixing’ itself and continues to produce pro-inflammatory molecules to ensure that the problem is corrected. This creates chronic inflammation, resulting in breakdown of collagen elastin, increase in oil production and free radicals. Skin1 by Dr. Gram is designed to prevent acute inflammation from becoming chronic.

Apply a small amount of cream from the outer to the inner corner of each eye morning and night.

Skin1 by Dr. Gram Eye Rescue is available at www.drgram.com and exclusive salons and spas.

Although priced at $90.00, this luxurious formula really goes a long way. Try it! It really does work. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Post from: Aging Fabulous

The kit contains small sizes of cleanser, toner, sunscreen, eye makeup remover, mask and eye cream…everything you need on your trip.  PLUS it’s TSA friendly so you can take it on the plane!

Kit Contains:

• Lid + Lash wash
• Clog Dissolving Cleansing Milk
• Triple Oxygen  Instant Energizing Mask
• Daily Detoxifying Facial Toner
• An Ounce of Prevention Daily Moisturizer SPF 15

Grab one of these before your next trip and you will have no skin care worries as Bliss products are spa grade and very gentle on any skin type.

Post from: Aging Fabulous

The first thing you will notice is the consistency…it’s different.  It feels thick like a serum….and keeps your skin hydrated.  Well suited for all skin types (including sensitive skin), you apply it directly to your skin (no cotton balls needed), and pat it into your skin smoothing upwards.  The ingredient list reads like a supermarket list white, green, and black teas, rice bran all good for you ingredients that help aid in relieving stress, minimizing redness, delivering vitamins and antioxidants to tired dull skin. It also contains moisture binding hyaluronic acid.

Combination/oily skin benefits: Provides vital hydration without adding any oil or clogging pores. Can be used in place of a moisturizer.

Dry skin benefits: Delivers an extra boost of long-lasting hydration and improves the performance of any moisturizer.

Tamarind Tea Toner retails for $27.00 for 4.75 oz and is available at fine spas and select e-tailers.

Post from: Aging Fabulous

FACIAL EXFOLIATOR
Skin 2 Skin Oatmeal & Pomegranate Scrub
EYE CREAM
Yes to Cucumbers Eye Love Cucumbers Soothing Eye Gel
FACIAL MOISTURIZER
AVEENO Positively Radiant Tinted Moisturizer
FACIAL NIGHT CREAM
Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Night Health Bedtime Face Cream
ANTI-AGING FACIAL TREATMENT
Aveda Green Science Firming Face Creme
LIP BALM
Burt’s Bees Sun Protecting Lip Balm SPF 8 with Passionfruit
HAND CREAM
The Healing Seed Virgin Organic Hempseed Oil Hand Cream
BODY MOISTURIZER
Avalon Organics Grapefruit & Geranium Hand & Body Lotion
BODY SCRUB
Aura Cacia Nourishing Body Polishes Fair Trade Certified
SELF-TANNER
Pur Minerals Get a Little
BAR SOAP
Dove Go Fresh Burst Beauty Bar
BODY WASH
Nature’s Gate Pomegranate Sunflower Velvet Moisture Body Wash
SUN CARE
John Masters Organics SPF 30 Natural Mineral Sunscreen
SHAMPOO
Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Lavender Mint Moisturizing Shampoo
CONDITIONER
L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Color Care Moisture Conditioner
HAIR COLOR
Natural Instincts Champagne Indulgence Collection
HAIR STYLING PRODUCT
Pantene Pro-V Nature Fusion Smooth Vitality Smoothing Crème
BLUSH
The Body Shop Nature’s Minerals Cheek Color
CONCEALER
Jane Iredale Zap & Hide
EYE SHADOW
Almay Pure Blends Eyeshadow
FOUNDATION
Physicians Formula Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Liquid Foundation SPF 15
LIP COLOR
Aubrey Organics Natural Lips Sheer Tint
MASCARA
Kiehl’s Marvelous Mineral Mascara
NAIL POLISH
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Color

Post from: Aging Fabulous

The blush looks like a lollipop from an old time candy shop and the color is surprisingly sheer (not normally the case with most cream blushes).  The addition of the Olay Regenerist Serum helps to give skin a boost of anti-aging benefits (it’s clinically proven to provide significant improvement in just 4 weeks), is a nice touch as the formula glides on quite smoothly.and because it’s a cream, it looks more natural on the skin.

$10.99, covergirl.com

Image:  CoverGirl

Post from: Aging Fabulous

While, wearing a broad spectrum SPF is the best way to protect your skin from wrinkles and brown spots, Neutrogena is offering you the opportunity for a “do-over,” and is helping you combat the damaged caused by too much sun and not enough sleep.

Repair – The first step to repairing past sun damage is to repair skin with a treatment that will not only improve the look of your skin, but will work deep within skin to reverse the signs of past sun damage

• Neutrogena Total Skin Renewal Starter Kit from Ageless Restoratives, is a brand new, innovative anti-aging power treatment that is clinically proven to help undo the appearance of a year’s worth of aging with just three uses, truly giving you a second chance for a lifetime of beautiful, healthy skin.

Restore – Glycolic peals are a great way to remove dead-skin cells, and prepare your skin for fall. But professional glycolic peels can cost up to $250 for just one treatment, and at home two-step peels are sometimes confusing to use

• Neutrogena 5 Minute Facial from Ageless Restoratives is a brand new at home peel that works in just easy 1-step, and flawlessly delivers the results of a 20-35% glycolic peel, for a fraction of the cost. Formulated with an exclusive enzyme and micro-exfoliants, 5 Minute Facial gently stimulates surface skin cell renewal and rapidly improves texture, tone and clarity, making summer skin damage less noticeable.

Revive – Sometimes an instant pick-me-up is the best way to help skin look more alive and bright. By applying a product that will instantly soothe and duff your eye area, you will effortless and instantly enhance to look of your skin

• Neutrogena Instant Eye Reviver from Ageless Restoratives is the perfect product to help you look younger and more awake. After just one use, Instant Eye Reviver is clinically proved to instantly improve the overall appearance of skin around your eyes.

Post from: Aging Fabulous

CLINIQUE MEDICAL Probiotic Cleanser

A mild cleanser ideal for acne-prone skin or plain-ol’ sensitive skin types. Probiotics protect against the daily effects of environmental stress by maintaining the skin’s barrier with natural lipids.

• Allergy Tested and 100% Fragrance Free; Price: $27.50 for a 150ml. tube

• Patent-pending Probiotic Technology – Lactobacillus Ferment

• Skin Strengthening Lipid Barrier Repair Complex (Cholesterol/Murumuru Butter/Linoleic Acid/Glycerin/Vitamin E)

• Blend of makeup-dissolving ingredients which target both hydrophobic and hydrophilic ingredients in makeup, helping to ensure complete removal.

I have heard on many fronts that this cleanser is genius for people that have cystic acne issues….The great thing about Clinique Medical is that it is carried only through a dermatologist so you know you are getting the top of the line dermatologist grade skin care (click here to find a doctor near you that carries the line).

Image:  Clinique Medical

Post from: Aging Fabulous