Beauty and Fashion Tech

PCA Skin Care Hyperpigmentation and Melasma Treatment Products

I have been using PCA’s products for melasma and hyperpigmenation for over a month now and give them a big thumbs up!

The star of the two products is the PCA SKIN pHaze 13 Pigment Gel. This serum, with azaleic acid, kojic acid, lactic acid, Vitamin C, and hydroquinone has been the most effective serum that I have used on my melasma. Using it twice daily in conjunction with Renova (aka Retin-A, Trentinoin) at night, and with a morning scrub, I had noticeable lightening after a couple of weeks. I was previously using a hydroquinone cream, with less results.

The combination of the treatment actives in this serum is the key. Plus I tend to feel that serums deliver the actives better than creams do. Yes, this does contain hydroquinone, so if you have concerns about that, it isn’t for you. PCA does make a hyroquinone free version as well.

The PCA SKIN pHaze 13 Pigment Bar is a unique treatment product. This glycerin type soap comes in a jar with an exfoliating pad. The soap contains azealic and kojic acids to treat, plus adds the combination of glucosamine and niacinamide, which has been shown to be an effective pigment inhibiting combination. I was happy to see that in this product since those are fairly cheap actives to add, yet are still not included in many melasma treatments. The pad gives some extra exfoliation. I liked this product quite a bit, but I did not always use the pad simply because I already use a scrub in the shower.

The combination of these two products left me quite impressed. For anyone looking for an over the counter melasma treatment, I suggest giving these a try, especially if you can add some prescription Tretinoin, or a strong over the counter retinol to the mix.

Shop for PCA Skin Care products

By Carleenp Posted in Melasma Treatment, Skin Care | 6 Comments

Splendicity’s Best of 2007

As the year comes to end, the Splendicity community has gathered up it’s best posts from the year. Take a look at what you might have missed over the year. Be sure to check out all of the members posts to get to know some of the best beauty, fashion, style, and shopping blogs on the web.

BEAUTY
Viva Woman finds out how to read the secret batch codes of beauty products and determine their expiry date.
A Touch of Blusher brings you highlights from 2007.
Makeup and Beauty Blog brings you 5 Makeup and Beauty Tips from Paris Hilton.
Savvy Skin tells you the Top 10 Signs You’re A Beauty Junkie.
Just in time for you to ring in the New Year, makeup loves me teaches you the fine art of properly applying false eyelashes.
Ellen from Spa Beautifully shares the Top 10 Beauty Trends to Look for in 2008.
Beauty and Fashion Tech has found that The ThermaClear Acne Treatment Device is One of the Year’s Most Interesting and Useful Devices.
The results are in for Temptalia’s Best of Beauty Awards 2007, check out who won!
Sugar Shock says, “My Lips are Sealed“.
Christine at 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic spends time with Celebrity Makeup Artist Jake Bailey and Max Factor.
Beauty Secrets Revealed Shares a Blueberry Age-Defying Face Pack Recipe.
At Teen Style Lounge, Liberty shares 6 Quick Tips to Super Kissable Lips.
eBeautyDaily lists the top 10 beautiful things she couldn’t do without in 2007.
The Scented Life says that Bond no 9 is bringing Andy Warhol back to life - in a little silver bottle!
Beauty Banter muses on the 5 Minute Make-Up application! Including the EXACT products you’ll need to achieve the no-fuss look!
NY Spender asks “Is your hair color right for you?”
A Girl’s Gotta Spa! thinks the Baby Quasar LED Light Therapy is a splendid secret weapon against acne & wrinkles.
Makeup Minute thinks Billy B’s Paintbrushes are splendid beauty tools that are worth every penny.
Cinnamon Kitten’s 2007 in Review: 5 Favorite New Products.
Beautyholics Anonymous has Effective Ways To Losing Weight.
Beautiful Makeup Search says that this is one must-have beauty product that works for everyone.

FASHION
Eagle eyed ShopDiary was the first blogger to point out the startling similarities between dresses by Diane Von Furstenberg and Forever 21. A week later, DVF sued Forever 21.
Style…a work in progress says “…Sea Bass, Sea Bass…that’s four Sea Bass“.
STYLEnosh asks the the difficult question, “Have You Let Yourself Go?”
She Knows Best has a Men’s Fashion Don’t List.
Spork Fashion Exclusive! Actress Shannyn Sossamon Shares her Style.
The Snarkstress needs your help in finding out just what exactly is on David Beckham’s head.
Indie Style File has A Take five interview with Kelly of Killer Cotton fame.
The Fashionable Kiffen says that fashion is an art form.
CelebLOOK tells you where to get Emmy Award Dress Look-a-Likes.

SHOPPING
Laya’s EYE shows us a new class of wine glass charms.
Her Accessories has a list of 10 reasons (or excuses) to treat yourself to a really good pair of shoes.
Style It Less ‘07 Review | List Of Under $100 Stylish Looks.
Style Tots has some Spring 2008 Pediped News.
Shopalicious is convinced that these knickers will put you in a festive mood to ring in the new year!
Kim at All That and a got in lots of pics of Simply Vera, the Vera Wang line at Kohl’s.
The Latest Luxe says to Set Your Gold Standard with Stiletto Patent Sandals by Bruno Frisoni.
Aging Fabulous says that these are Must-Have Wicking Pajamas.

The Splendicity community wishes you and yours a very happy, healthy, and splendid new year!

By Carleenp Posted in Blog roundups, Misc. | No Comments

Review: Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion in a Jar

I am rather particular about scrubs. I want to feel them working and I want to see results. Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion in a Jar nicely fit the bill on both accounts.

The Dr. Brandt microdermabrasion scrub is very fine grained and is a fairly powerful scrub. I definitely could feel it working, and my skin was nicely smooth after each use. It is strong enough that I do not recommend it for those with sensitive skin. However, it is gentle enough that those who hate real coarse scrubs might like this one because of the fine grain. It also is rather adjustable. Rub hard for a more intense scrub and rub lightly for less. In many ways it reminds me of the Biolements Pumice Peel, which was one of my favorite products of last year.

I do have one nit picky complaint though about the packaging. Every time I use the Dr Brandt scrub, the screw on cap is difficult to get back on straight, making it difficult to close the lid. But that does not keep me from recommending the product.

Shop for more Dr. Brandt skin care products

By Carleenp Posted in Skin Care | No Comments

The Best Products of 2007

I went through the posts of the past year seeking out the favorite new products that I reviewed. The following are the results.

I found all of these to be excellent products. Some are expensive, but well worth the money. Others are highly affordable, making them an even better buy! Each link is to my full review.

Estee Lauder Resilience Lift Extreme, Moisturizing Foundation: The best moisturizing foundation that I tried all year.

Estee Lauder Tender Blush: I really love this cream blush. The stick applicator makes it easy to carry and use.

Freeze 24/7 Lip Plumper: This is the only lip plumper I tried that I thought that maybe, just maybe, I saw some actual plumping. It has the best tingle too!

Cat Cosmetics Lip Liner: The best neutral lip liner ever, hands down!

M.A.C. Paint Pots: I adore MAC’s new paint pots. This eyeshadow goes on like a cream, but dries to a silky finish that lasts and lasts without creasing.

Rimmel Vinyl Lip Gloss and Loud Mouth Lip color: Absolutely the best value lip gloss and color out there!

Revlon Makeup Eraser Pen: As I predicted would be the case, this was the best purchase I made all year. I have put mine to good use erasing mascara and eyline smudges and mistakes.

Vita Amazonia DMAE Moisturizing Cream: An expensive, but highly effective, anti-aging night cream.

ColorScience Powder Sunscreen: Gotta love a way to put on sunscreen over makeup!

Jane Cosmetics Blushing Earth Sheer: A high quality, high pigment, drugstore blush that is a dead ringer for Nars orgasm, but at a tiny fraction of the cost.

DHC White Sunscreen: For those with melasma or hyperpigmentation, this sunscreen is a winning combination of a physical blocker plus arbutin as a treatment active.

Schwarzkoph Bonacure Moisture Kick Spray Conditioner: Incredible for heat protection and extra conditioning. I have gone through several bottles of this since reviewing it.

Bioelements Pumice Peel: My absolute favorite scrub.

CoverGirl Lash Exact: I tried a lot of mascaras this year. Some I really liked and some I really disliked. It was hard to pick a true favorite, but I finally decided that Lash Exact was the best of the new ones in 2007.

Revlon Pinch Me Gel Blush. A great cheek stain in gel form and available in several shades. For those wishing to save money, it is a good alternative to Benetint.

ProFoot Slik Stick, anti-blister stick: This stuff works prety well to help prevent blisters. Use it with your strappy sandals to avoid strap rash as well.

Beauty Buyble Book and Samples: A wonderful way to sample a bunch of products, plus read about them. The book can still be purchased, but it is going fast. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a 2008 version, but have yet to hear of anything.

By Carleenp Posted in Blog roundups, Misc. | 7 Comments

Happy Holidays!

Beauty and Fashion Tech and Girl Gloss are traveling and taking it easy through the holidays.

Over the next 10 days there will still be some posts, but not the daily activity that you normally see. Don’t worry if things are quiet. It will pick up again quite soon!

Keep an eye out for the end of the year best of 2007 lists and a few other items. Things will resume as normal after the holidays!

Happy Holidays Everyone and a Happy New Year!

By Carleenp Posted in Misc. | No Comments

Last Minute Beauty Gifts

Are you still shopping? It may be too late to shop online, but it is still easy to pick up some great beauty gifts at local stores. Here are a few ideas:

At Target: Look for Sonia Kashuk brush sets. These make great gifts and they are often packed in attractive kits. Target also has some great cosmetic bags. I was there earlier in the week and saw gift sets consisting of three different sizes of matching bags. Look for those in the cosmetic department.

For stocking stuffers, Target has tons of Hello Kitty, Karma, and Bonne Bell items, plus they have quite a few holiday cosmetics sets.

In the purse section, you can find some really nice, yet affordable handbags. Consider buying one and filling it with random cosmetic items!

At CVS: Look for Essence of Beauty Brushes. These are good value brushes and mixing and matching some would make for a great gift. CVS also exclusively carries Skin Effects and Lumene products. Both are great lines for creating a custom made facial or skin care set.

At Walgreens: Look up front for a great selection of fragrances and bath products. They seem to have more than many of the other stores this year.