Restoring Skin’s Glow

January 7, 2013 by Guest Blogger • Comment

Pippa Vosper has been working as a fashion stylist for 10 years and has contributed to American Vogue, Interview and W magazine, as well as holding the coveted position of Fashion Editor at Harper’s Bazaar UK. Pippa launched the fashion/maternity blog MaternallyChic in spring 2012 when she discovered she was pregnant, it has proven to be a huge hit with both fashion industry insiders and expectant mothers wishing to see just how to dress a pregnant bump in the latest designer collections. Visit Pippa at Maternally Chic or follow Pippa on twitter @pippavosper.
Winter is upon us and with the change in temperature and reduced daylight hours, I found my skin to be lacking its usual glow. As a new mother I am up through the night with my son, and even if I wanted to subject my skin to a harsh chemical peel, it would be out of the question for me to consider such a treatment at this stage.

With an intense chemical peel not being option, but still wishing to restoring my skin to its former summer glory, I looked to the exceptional Dermatologist I return to time and time again when needing specialist skin advice and was directed to the recently launched Blue Plasma non-acidic daily peel. This hugely advanced treatment works with bio-specific peeling to attack only dead skin cells, something that I found to be absolutely remarkable as I could clearly see the results in a matter of days.

The peel works to unclog and purify the skin of build-up and then Hydro-fusion rebalances the skin’s hydration with enriched water, so the drying effect of a harsh peel is not a factor with this more gentle process.

Although my disturbed sleep pattern and the dreaded elements of a biting winter in London are unavoidable, I am thrilled to say that this newest of miracle products from Dr. Perricone will see me through the coming months and ensure the pure, healthy glow I desire for my skin shall once again be restored.

What are your go-to products for instant radiance?

Promises Delivered

December 3, 2012 by Guest Blogger • Comment

I have had quite the love/hate relationship with peels – on one hand they give me promise of brighter, radiant and more perfect skin, while on the other hand they often leave me with flaky, dry and irritated patches. So when I was introduced to the new Blue Plasma, a non-acidic daily peel that is gentle enough for all skin types, I was curious to see how my skin would fare. Triumphantly, after only just one week, any prior notion I had vanished and what was left was simply amazing, glowing skin.

I dove in head first and began using the product twice daily as recommended, though I am quite diligent about using products religiously in order to give them time to produce results. Intermittent use of any skincare is never recommended – consistency is always more effective. But being the impatient New Yorker that I am, I definitely appreciate when results come almost immediately as with Blue Plasma. With ingredients such as magnolia bark for anti-inflammatory results, blueberry extracts to boost radiance and salmon egg enzyme to encourage peeling action, this product helps to dissolve skin cells revealing fresher more glowing skin.

Initially after the first application, I was delighted to see how hydrated my skin stayed throughout the day, which almost never occurs for me from an acid based product. This was the biggest point of differentiation that I found with Blue Plasma versus other peel products. Skin is often exfoliated, but at the expense of stripping all the hydration out of it, leaving red, flaky, dry patches all over. After just a few days, the texture of my skin was so smooth and looked flawless. It seemed brighter, more radiant and surprisingly my pore size appeared smaller. Applying makeup was easier than ever because my skin was smooth, supple and hydrated which allowed the foundation to glide right on.

I continued my use for the next 30 days and found the results to get better and better. My skin is now looking the best it ever has and my foundation coverage has become sheerer and sheerer, as I am so proud to let my natural skin texture show through. For a makeup lover, that is the true test of a great product.

Fueled by her love (obsession) of all things beauty, Maree Sye writes from the viewpoint of the everyday woman. Recently transitioning from a decade long career as an executive in the cosmetics industry to her current role as sales manager for a baby goods company, Maree has turned her insider information into a spectator sport. When she is not testing out beauty products and gabbing about them on The Daily Perricone blog, you can find her ramblings on A Little Bit etc, her personal fashion/beauty blog – a blog that is a little bit fashion, a little bit beauty and a whole lot of sass. Follow Maree on twitter @alittlebitetc , Instagram @alittlebitetc, or follow her down the street if you like – most likely she is on her way to pick up a new lipstick.

Getting the Hair & Nails

October 22, 2012 by Guest Blogger • Comment

Beauty is only skin deep – well sort of. Treating just the exterior part of ourselves is only half the battle. What we put in our bodies is just as important as what we put on the body. As a firm believer in this concept, Dr. Perricone became one of the first brands to introduce vitamins and supplements in this beauty forum, making it accessible right alongside your favorite moisturizer and eye cream. One of his newest introductions is the Hair and Nails Formula, a 30 day program with customized supplements such as Biotin, Omega 3 and antioxidants designed to replenish and strengthen your hair and nail health. There are 4 pills to take per day and it is rationed out for you in 30 packets. I do recommend being diligent to taken them every day so that you can gauge the results. Intermittent use will most likely not yield the most effective results.

As someone who has pretty good hair and strong nails (if I do say so myself), I was curious to see what effects this would have. After just 2 weeks, I noticed how white the tips of nails were looking and how shiny they were without polish. And as an avid polish lover, I reveled in my naked nails for a bit. For a bit – a nail leopard can never really change their spots right? As for my hair, I am plagued with an oily scalp and dry ends but after a month, I saw a definite change in how balanced my hair had become, how shiny it looked and how it seemed to be growing at a Rapunzel rate. Results like this simply delight me.

Now that my locks are glossy and nails long, the question is how to style them for the Fall season? Here is a look at some of the top Fall 2012 trends to take inspiration from for the next trip to the salon.

Hair Embellishments – These are not your childhood headbands and accessories. Think adornment. Think bejeweled. Think glamour. Decorative head pieces and beaded clips are a perfect way to add a bit of sparkle to any look.
A Sleek Ponytail – This trend is certainly not reinventing the wheel. Rather than simply throwing your hair up at the end of a long day, use some smoothing crème, a comb and gather at the nape of your neck to create a sleek ponytail that is actually intentional.
Style with a twist – A play on a standard braid or bun. Try twisting the hair to get an updated effect. Twist the layers that frame the face and pin back for a boho-chic look, or twist your sleek ponytail around and pin in place for a quick up-do.
Dark and Moody Nails – As the weather gets colder, nothing spruces up dry, freezing hands like a deliciously dark manicure. Standard shades of crimson and bordeaux are lovely, but try to shake things up by going for dark navy and slate grey. And once your digits are donned in the season’s hottest shade, don’t tuck them away in bulky mittens, invest in some fingerless gloves to give them the just attention they deserve.
Colored Tips – A twist on the traditional French manicure, try trading your white tips for a bold blue, red or even metallic. Keeping the rest of the nail neutral is the key to making this trend wearable and applicable to daily life.
Nail Art – For the more boldly inclined, nail art is quickly becoming quite de rigueur. Experiment yourself or visit a professional, this trend can be a fun way to edge out a look without making a big statement. And the best part of nail art is – it can come off. Temporary trends are always the best ones to try.

What hair or nail trends will you try this fall?

Acyl Glutathione Lid Serum- The Eye Savior

October 15, 2012 by Guest Blogger • Comment

The one thing I can say is not an urban myth is the strain that being a new mother has on the eyes. The heavy lids and the lines that become all the more pronounced with severe lack of sleep certainly makes looking into a mirror less than appealing.

From my previous reviews you will know that whenever I am in serious need of skin rejuvenation I turn to Dr. Perricone. Now is one of those times.

I am a new mother trying to find a balance in my life with all the changes that a baby brings, but sleep deprivation is one change where balance is not possible to obtain (unless you are exceptionally fortunate!) My skin was certainly suffering, but the main cause for concern after the initial days with my newborn were my eyes.

I knew there was something that could be done to combat the effects of limited sleep on the now-visible lines around my eyes and heaviness of my upper lids, but finding a product that actually had the desired effect was going to take some time to find.

After many product trials, and with my eyes still not restored to their previous glory, my thoughts turned to Dr. Perricone and how his products had been so effective in the past. I was directed to the Perricone MD Acyl-Glutathione Eyelid Serum and was both pleasantly surprised and relieved to find a serum that targeted both the upper and lower eye issues (something that I had not found in my extensive research into eye products).

Acyl-Glutathione Eye Lid Serum not only addresses the upper eye lid area by dramatically improving the visible signs of accelerated aging, but the additional benefits are a dramatic tightness and firmness of droopy eyelids, a smoothing of creases and minimized redness and dark circles.

Perricone MD has once again proven to be the miracle brand I was hoping for, my eyes look more youthful and more alert than they ever did prior to my pregnancy.

What are your post-pregnancy beauty must-haves?

How to Get the Look: Wide Awake Eyes

October 5, 2012 by Guest Blogger • 2 Comments

Eyes are the windows to the soul – how inspiring. But they also are the first facial feature to show signs of aging – how uninspiring. Seems a little dichotomous if you ask me. Our eyes are a beautiful representation of where we have been, what we have seen and who we are, but in the same breath, a showing of how long we have been going, seeing and being is written all over them. It’s like our eyes are the little sister that is constantly tattling on our life and revealing our secrets. How rude. But the beauty of revelations is the discovery that soon follows. And when we know better, we do better – precisely the reason eye creams were born.

The challenge with many eye creams is the limited area of the eye that they are designed to treat. Minimized crow’s feet with accompanying drooping eyelids seems quite non sequitur, and somewhat of a labyrinth to navigate during one’s makeup application. Finally it seems there is an answer to bridging the gap – Acyl Glutathione Eye Lid Serum – a mouthful to say but a dream to use.

A 360 degree approach to treating the eye – easily layered under accompanying eye creams or substantial in its own right. Designed to dramatically improve the upper eye appearance by smoothing creases, reducing redness and tightening any sagging or droopy skin, this product also treats the area around the eye helping to minimize crow’s feet and diminish dark circles.

As one that carries the burden of oily eyelids, the challenge is always how it will wear throughout the day, and after a long 12 hour day of work and after work festivities, my eyelids were crease free and still smooth. What was left was a bright, fully awake looking eye, none the wiser to the many hours of squinting, staring at a computer screen and laughing that I had put it through.

Being the makeup lover that I am, the best feature of this product is the ability to smooth the eyelid, acting as a primer for any eye makeup layered on top. Upon first application, my skin immediately felt smoother and more taut, allowing the makeup to glide right on. Since the texture is a lightweight gel, it did not add any extra bulk to the products I layered on top.

Here are my 3 steps for wide awake looking eyes:

After smoothing on the serum around the entire eye, the next product to always follow suit is my trusty concealer which I also apply over the whole eye.
Accompanying a smooth even tone eye area, I prefer a thicker, more dramatic mascara for day and just tone down the amount I wear. Inky black, lush and long lashes are essential to creating a bright, doe-like eye.
A dab of a lighter color eye shadow into the inner corner of the eye is the piece de resistance, finishing what the Acyl Lid Serum started. Bright, fully awake looking eyes and that is no secret.

What are your tips for wide awake looking eyes?

How to Get the Look: Polished Perfection

September 28, 2012 by Guest Blogger • Comment

Fresh, radiant skin. Just the description alone evokes feelings of happiness among women and beauty lovers everywhere. The path to achieving it is where the wheels begin to fall off. Striking a balance between glowing and shiny is often tricky, and must be managed cautiously. Often the path to the aforementioned holy grail appearance of skin begins with the appropriate skincare and then finishes with the marriage to the right makeup.

As an oily-skinned gal myself, toning down the dewy is often my plight while many with dry skin seek to amp it up. There is also an entire group of those in between, but our mission is all the same – skin that radiates an effortless glow. How delightful sounding, yes?

After recently incorporating the new Formula 15 into my skincare regime, the path to the glow became easier than ever. Formulated with Alpha Lipoic Acid and DMAE, this product seeks to correct skin’s imperfections resulting in a smoother more radiant complexion. I’m sold. From first application, I fell in love with the lightweight texture that allowed it to melt effortlessly into the skin. Being a makeup addict, ahem….lover, the true test for me is how the product wears under various foundations, powders, concealers – basically it must survive the makeup gauntlet. Almost immediately upon application, my face felt smoother, and the makeup was able to glide right on my skin. A mere 8 hours later, my skin still felt smooth and my foundation looked picture perfect. A feat in and of itself. Though the immediate effects are quite pleasing, the results after only one week showed my skin clearer, radiant and more even tone. But a radiant complexion is a group effort and the makeup that you follow with is essential to achieving the final look. Here is a look at my go-to products (yes, plural – it takes a village) for a polished and fresh face:

1. Choosing a base that works with your skin type is essential – work with what you have not against it. Since I am naturally oily, my preference is always towards a matte finish foundation. Radiant skin strikes that perfect balance between dewy and dull, balancing out the natural finish of your complexion.

2. Concealer is always my second step, as it should be used to cover what the foundation did not. A lighter shade should be applied under the eye to brighten, while a shade closer to your skin tone can be applied to cover up any dark spots or blemishes.

3. Dusting a translucent loose powder across the forehead and down the center of the face helps to set the base and concealer. I prefer a bronzer with subtle shimmer, as the disco ball finish is never my preferred look. Swirl onto the cheeks and along the hairline to create a sun kissed look without the expense of the actual vacation. If your bronzy glow is actually coming from your recent beach jaunt, then consider yourself lucky and down one step in the makeup routine.

4. Though most women stop at bronzer, I feel that a bright blush is the key to finishing any radiant look. A vibrant peach or pink dabbed on the apples of the cheeks creates the most feminine and beautiful flush – a necessary step to complete the transformation from dull to dashing. All put together, the finished look could resemble something like the look shown at the top of the entry.

What are your favorite products to achieve a radiant glow? Do you rely on your skincare to set the stage for a glamorous finish? Share in the comments your favorite Perricone products that help you achieve a flawless look.

New Baby, New Skin, New Formula

September 20, 2012 by Guest Blogger • Comment

Writing this from the perspective of a new mother, unless you are in the 1% of exceptionally fortunate people, you will be feeling a little less than your spectacular self in the first months following the arrival of your new addition.

Cosmetic surgery is eventually an option for some, but although wrinkles have appeared as the result of natural aging as I am now in my mid-thirties, I would prefer to find a product that could give me the anti-aging results as opposed to resorting to a needle!

I have returned to Perricone MD throughout the years when needing assistance from a true professional and now is certainly one of those times. With lack of sleep and a somewhat exhausting schedule that comes with having a new baby, my skin is not as radiant as I would like and so I set about researching which brand would give me the results I needed at this stage in my life.

With many products tested and the aforementioned lack of sleep taken into consideration, the product that gave the greatest and most obvious results was by far Formula 15.

Perricone MD Formula 15 is a concentrated, professional-grade formulation of the original Face Firming Activator and having been fortunate enough to have used the product, the results have left my complexion looking far more energized, smoothed and with an obvious reduction in the depth of lines and wrinkles than before my beautiful baby arrived – something I consider to be an absolute miracle!

Visit Pippa at Maternally Chic or follow Pippa on twitter @pippavosper.

Formula 15 will ship early October. Please call 888.823.7837 to reserve yours today.

My Favorite Pore Erasing Duo

August 23, 2012 by Guest Blogger • Comment

To watch Claire’s application video for the Intensive Pore Minimizer and Intensive Pore Treatment, please click here.

I’ve found the Intensive Pore Minimizer to be the best toner for my skin. It cleans out my pores, helps reduce my oiliness and doesn’t make me break out. My pores have become more noticeable over the years and the IPM has definitely helped to reduce their appearance. I found this to be a great step in my regimen, but recently started using the Intensive Pore Treatment as well. I read that these two products are meant to work in harmony with one another and saw a definite improvement when I used the Minimizer first, after cleansing and then applied the Treatment. Now, my pores are significantly smaller looking and I produce much less oil. They are both non-drying and non-greasy products.

Claire is an avid Perriconista and enjoys sharing her skincare picks and tips.

Smoked Salmon with Avocado Cream on Cucumber

August 20, 2012 by Guest Blogger • 1 Comment

I was inspired to make something special when stumbled upon a great find: a Darjeeling tea and ginger cured smoked salmon. Smoked salmon is a great item to use when entertaining- it’s chic and a staple of the anti inflammatory diet. Although, if doing Dr. Perricone’s 3 Day Diet, use unsmoked salmon as it can have higher levels of sodium.

This is a simple and elegant recipe that will impart a special feeling. Whether they’re for an afternoon snack or entertaining, someone is in for a treat!

Note: this recipe can easily be adjusted to serve more, since you’ll most likely have leftovers of the ingredients.

Ingredients

makes 16-18 rounds

2 oz. smoked salmon, thinly sliced
½ large English cucumber, sliced into ¼-in slices
2 radishes, diced
Fresh chives, for garnish
½ avocado
½ cup plain Greek yogurt
1 tbl lemon juice
Coarse salt, to taste

Directions

Puree the avocado, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and salt to a smooth consistency.
Divide and layer the avocado cream, smoked salmon, radishes, and chive on the cucumber slices.
Serve immediately.

Tip: to make the chive stay in place when garnishing, lightly dip a side in the avocado cream and it will stick.

What is your favorite healthy appetizer to serve?

Katharina Knoll, a Manhattan-based food and art enthusiast has prepared a series of anti-inflammatory recipes celebrating simple, rustic foods. Enraptured by the intersection of health and nutrition, Kat is the founder and director of Behind Foods. Follow Kat on her blog, Katharina’s Food Adventures, and keep in touch through her Facebook fan page and Twitter

Summer Beauty Foods: Cucumber

August 17, 2012 by Guest Blogger • 2 Comments

Cucumbers have long been associated with keeping cool. Whether it’s in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dr. Perricone’s anti inflammatory diet or sliced up in a pitcher of fresh water. When it comes to beauty and your health, these fruits (yes, fruits) are proving to be a lot more powerful than using slices for puffy eyes. Researchers are starting to catch on to these finds, however.

-The high water content makes cucumber a natural, mild diuretic to help flush things out. Not to mention, because of their high water content they are also naturally hydrating—a must for glowing skin.

-Cucumbers house a lot of nutrients essential for strong cell growth and repair (collagen production anyone?) like natural salts, enzymes, and vitamins.

-The alkalinity of cucumber is wonderful for establishing a healthy body. An alkaline body is like a clean home with a place for things. When there’s too much acid build-up a lot of health problems can arise.

-Their skin is high in silica and chlorophyll, which is very soothing to the skin. They help improve complexion and health of the skin.

-They are a great source of Vitamin C, Vitamin K and Potassium, which are all vital for overall health.

-Cucumbers’ most recent wonder are their phytonutrient list: cucurbitacins, lignans, and flavonoids. These three types of phytonutrients found in cucumbers give our bodies antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer benefits to reap!

Cucumbers come in hundreds of varieties, but using what’s commonly seen in grocers is also just as effective. Recent research studies suggest that conventionally grown cucumbers may be more susceptible to heavy metal contamination than other vegetables. I suggest using organic cucumbers, especially if you’re going to be using the peel. You don’t want to be consuming pesticides and coatings when fighting free radicals. So cool down with cucumbers, and your body will be buzzing on the inside.

Tip: Let a few slices of cucumber soak in your water to help alleviate bloating from fluid retention. Cucumber juice (an easy recipe) helps detox your body, getting rid of old waste and chemical toxins.