One of the first questions most women ask themselves when they wake up first thing in the morning as they look at their bare complexions in the mirror is, “how do I get rid of these wrinkles/fine lines/dark circles/acne/age spots??” We all have skin care concerns, whether it be stubborn acne (I’ve struggled with my own hormone-induced acne for years), lines, aging, or all of the above. And while eating right, sleeping, and staying well-hydrated as well as genetics plays a role in keeping skin looking good, there are a few other things we can do to help our skin along.
Not too long ago I got the chance to interview Marcia Kilgore, the founder and former owner of the Bliss® Spa empire. This groundbreaker in the skin care industry is credited with giving Oprah (yes, the Oprah!), “the best facial” she ever had, and she’s also treated the likes of Madonna, Demi Moore, and Calvin Klein. Not too bad, huh? She was also credited with helping to ignite the skin care and spa boom, becoming one of the most sought-after skincare experts in the industry. Having sold the Bliss Spa chain, she went on to develop Soap & Glory™, a skin care and cosmetics company that took the U.K. by storm and is now on its way to do the same in the U.S.
I got the chance to try out a few of Soap & Glory’s products and also ask Marcia herself a few questions. And believe me, with the tongue-in-cheek product names (like Sexy Mother Pucker ™ and Clean on Me™), sassy packaging, and the results I saw, I’ll definitely be purchasing more!
Read on for some insights and some great products to tackle some common skin care issues:
Skinny Jeans Mom: For busy moms, skin care can easily become neglected, the results of which begin to show. What are the most important things to do each day to make sure skin looks its best?
MK: Scrub, almost daily. A gentle scrub for the face and a more robust one for the entire body. Scrubbing stimulates circulation and oxygen flow, making the skin look healthier. I use Soap & Glory’s “Flake Away Body Scrub” almost daily, and “Our Greatest Scrub of All” facial scrub three times a week to unclog pores.
Serums come in many shapes and sizes, but often, they are lightweight, quick-sinking, more potent versions of their anti-aging moisturizer sisters…..So, in times of desperation (or realization) you add a great serum to your normal everyday anti-aging skincare exercises, to up the ante.
SJM: How do you get rid of under-eye circles?
MK: a) Drink, and dive. Your judgment isn’t the only thing affected by an overabundance of alcohol. In fact, over-indulging almost immediately shows up in the sense-points of your kidneys and your liver (represented by the undereye area and the between-the-brow area, respectively). The puffiness and dark circles under your eyes, and frown lines between your brows, according to Chinese Face Reading, are your organs screaming ‘we surrender’.
b) Put Lipton teabags on your eyes on a bad morning. Tea is a diuretic, so it helps move excess fluid out to reduce puff.
SJM: What about acne? Once a nuisance of adolescent days gone by, adult acne can become a plague. Any suggestions?
MK:
a) …Pores are clogged from the inside, when the oils that are released from the sebaceous glands do not, with enough speed, dissolve out on to the surface of the skin, and become mixed with dead cells, and form blackheads. It is more important to use a great cleanser and an exfoliator (or something with alpha hydroxy acids) than to avoid wearing makeup. Soap and Glory’s “Face, Soap, and Clarity” is a great product for problem skin.
*SJM side note: Truly it is! I’ve never felt my skin cleaner than when I used this product!
b) Chocolate DOES NOT cause acne. It’s just that at the same time your acne-causing hormones are raging, you crave chocolate. So just go ahead. Do it!
SJM: (Phew! says this self-proclaimed chocolate lover!)
SJM: What about cellulite?
MK: Massaging, dry brushing, and anything that stimulates lymphatic circulation to help push out puffiness can help reduce the appearance of cellulite. NOTE: You have to be dedicated. You have to repeat a routine at least daily (when it comes to drybrushing or lymph drainage), and no amount of inner thigh massage will erase a chocolate cake.
SJM: And wrinkles?
MK: Keep your face out of the sun, or in 10 years you’ll be wearing it as your neck. (Sun protection is critical!)
All images of Soap & Glory products and interview content used with consent given by Soap & Glory and/or Bliss Spa Company representation. Product names owned by Soap&Glory and/or Bliss. Opinions expressed in the interview belong solely to the aformentioned respondent(s).
This story, originally written for OC Family’s February issue (out now, pick it up or check out the digital issue out here!) was too good not to post for the IE readers. Enjoy!
Recently, I was given the opportunity to visit Kelly’s Spa at the Mission Inn and experience their “Kelly’s Fountain of Youth Signature Body Treatment”. I’ve lived in the I.E. the majority of my life, and one of the major landmarks found here that I’ve seen and been to before is the Mission Inn. However, I’d never been to Kelly’s Spa, and so was eager to try it out. Spa treatment? Sign me up!
The treatment and visit to the spa were nothing short of incredible. From the moment you walk in you feel like you’ve been swept away, into Old-World Tuscany, with all of the distinctive architecture and décor. Instantly upon arrival I was greeted warmly by the staff (with a glass of sparkling Champagne, no less), and was given a short tour of the lush facilities, including private women’s lockers and shower area, Eucalyptus sauna, and lounge areas.
Ligia, who would be taking care of me for the day, escorted me back to a private villa which lies adjacent to the hotel’s outdoor pool area. The villa itself is beautiful, spacious, luxurious, and private, featuring a massage/treatment room complete with a fireplace, a private bathroom, shower, and large hot tub that was filled to the brim with bubbles, and the perimeter of which was surrounded by rose petals, chocolate, and more champagne. I literally held in my breath; all of this for me? I could hardly wait!
I was left alone to relax in the tub for an “Antioxidant Hydrotherapy Grape Bubble Bath”, then rinsed off and came to the massage table to enjoy a “Chardonnay Grape Seed Full-Body Polish”. After the body polish I rinsed off in the shower, and returned again to enjoy the best 50-minute Swedish massage I have ever had. I was completely relaxed as the massage included the use of essential oils and was given by experienced hands. The treatment finished off with a 20-minute “Temple Tension” release, and a paraffin treatment for my hands and feet. I stayed a bit longer afterward in the lounge areas, reading magazines, eating to my heart’s content, and finally, reluctantly, went home. In all, the treatment itself lasted two hours and my visit a bit longer.
I’ve been to spas before and have had various different treatments, but Kelly’s Spa has definitely topped my list of spas to go to. The Fountain of Youth Signature Body Treatment is decadent, indulgent, delicious, and beyond relaxing. I truly felt pampered, and as a busy mom, the level of relaxation I experienced while there was much needed.
If you’re looking for a great spa experience, or just want to really get away and treat yourself, check out the Fountain of Youth Signature Body Treatment at Kelly’s Spa, or various of their other treatments. I fully enjoyed the entire experience, and am dying to go back. The cost of the Fountain of Youth Signature Body Treatment itself is $195, which is no small fee, however it is well worth every last cent for the occasional splurge. I highly recommend it, loved every minute, and can’t wait to get the chance to go back!
*Disclaimer: although the opportunity to experience the treatment aforementioned was provided by the Mission Inn, all opinions expressed in the above post are strictly my own. Images in the above post used with permission granted by The Mission Inn.*
Looking to check out a great new movie brought to you by Disney? Bring your family to watch and be entranced by The Secret World Of Arrietty, premiering on Friday, February 17th, based on Mary Norton’s beloved children’s book series The Borrowers.
Check out a sneak peek here:
This beautifully animated feature is the story of Arrietty, a spirited little 14-year-old girl (voiced by Bridgit Mendler), who secretly lives with her parents (voiced by Amy Poehler and Will Arnett) in the home of a human homeowner and her housekeeper (voice talent of Carol Burnett). Being little people, Arrietty and her parents remain hidden from view and live secretly beneath the floor boards, only occasionally venturing beyond to “borrow” scraps and things like sugar cubes from their human neighbors.
Their secret and livelihood are threatened, however, when 12-year-old Shawn (David Henrie) comes to stay at the suburban garden home and finds Arrietty one night. Soon, an unlikely yet heartwarming friendship forms between the two, which not only threatens Arrietty’s family but also their very existence in their own home.
Featuring the talents of renowned Japanese film maker Hayao Miyazaki, directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi, producers Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall (who’ve produced films like The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, E.T., Jurassic Park, and Indiana Jones among others), and many other talents in cinema, this story of friendship is sure to provide entertainment for the entire family.
Catch a few more sneak peeks here! :
Catch The Secret World of Arrietty in theatres Friday, February 17th!
*All images, video, audio, and content pertaining to the motion picture above are the sole property of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures (WDSMP) and are being used with permission as an authorized user. Use of the above images and/or video or any content above is strictly prohibited. *
Your skin, especially the skin on your face, is often the first thing people see, and so keeping it healthy and looking its best makes you look and feel more radiant. We know that things like getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, and wearing sunscreen religiously all help to prevent damage, but what about the damage that’s already there? Dark spots, old acne marks, and other imperfections? Makeup can definitely help, but how do we get down underneath the cover-up and attack some of those flaws in skin tone many of us have?
I recently got the chance to try Dermablend’s new “SkinPerfector Pigment Correcting Primer”. It’s touted as a “double action treatment primer that helps correct skin pigment imperfections,” like those left behind by acne scars, sun damage, and aging. The product itself contains Ceramide White with LHA (learn more about ceramides and their role in maintaining skin integrity here), which works on treating skin discolorations, retains moisture in the skin, provides a gentle microexfoliation of dead pigmented cells, and actually reduces the appearance of excess melanin. Being a primer, it also sets the stage for and preps the skin for a more flawless makeup application.
With this product I loved how lightweight it was; wearing makeup over something light is essential, as I have combination/oily skin, and so anything heavy under makeup traps oil easily. It also has a light scent, suitable for daytime use. Usually, to be able to truly see the results of a new cream or serum you have to wait about 4-8 weeks, which with this product I did. I began noticing a difference after several weeks of daily use, as I noticed that some of the skin discolorations left behind by past acne marks appeared much lighter, and my skin began to feel smoother and more taut. I saw an overall moderate improvement in the appearance of my skin and more even skin tone.
I would have liked this product to have some SPF (you’d have to apply a light facial moisturizer with SPF along with this product and then makeup), and wearing several layers underneath your makeup can be a challenge if your skin traps oil even more easily than mine; the Primer also did not change what my existing acne looked like, although that was not the aim of this product.
I would absolutely purchase this product again, as I definitely noticed a change in the overall tone of my skin, and it did reduce skin discolorations. It’s also non-comedogenic, acnegenic, and is dermatologist and sensitive skin tested. All great benefits of this product!
You can find this product at Macy’s, Ulta, and Dillard’s; retails at $45.00. Also visit dermablend.com.
Happy priming!
Skinny Jeans Mom
Twitter:@skinnyjeansmom
*Got a product you’d like for me to check out or review? Email me by clicking the link above near my bio pic!*
All opinions expressed in this post regarding above referenced product are solely those of Skinny Jeans Mom, and are not in any way influenced by the product manufacturer or its representatives.
*Disclaimer: The following is NOT to be taken as medical or nutritional advice and are opinions only, as I am not a dietitian nor a physician; always consult with your personal physician or medical personnel prior to beginning any nutritional or exercise program*
Healthy eating and moderation. They’re two things we all know are key to lifelong weight management. Ever since making becoming fitter and healthier as one of my goals for 2012, I’ve really had to re-learn what this meant. I thought I had things down, as I could easily maintain a routine of eating healthy, well-balanced meals come Monday through Friday, when my work and eating routines were, well, routine, and consistent. But oh, those weekends…! Not only that, but my relationship with food hasn’t always been great; I’ve gone from extreme dieting to finding solace in a scone, and overindulging in all-out caloric binges when I really felt stressed. I figured, since I NEVER allowed myself to have what I really wanted, when I really felt stressed, I deserved to have everything I always deprived myself of.
Of course, I was left with struggling to find that sacred middle ground, where food was not my comfort, nor my enemy, and where balance wasn’t completely out of whack.
I’m learning now to let go of food as a stress reliever by replacing it with other things that relieve stress or boredom (listening to music, exercise, reading a book or magazine, etc), and also one of the biggest things I’ve learned about how to overcome this battle with food was to actually accept it. By that I mean, making it okay for me to have whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted.
That might sound contradictory to health and weight management, but think of it this way: if I told you you could never, ever, EVER have your favorite ice cream/dessert/(insert comfort food here) again, you’d be able to withstand the urge maybe for a bit, but sooner or later, you’d find yourself going out of your way to get it. Rather than cut out foods I love (ice cream, wine, and oh, chocolate!), I’ve made it okay for me to have these things so long as A. I eat a healthy diet 80% of the time and B. I don’t go too overboard when I do indulge.
And oddly enough, this idea of moderation and nothing being off-limits works for me. I know that I can have that ice cream or dig into those enchiladas when I want to, or that I can enjoy that glass of wine without guilt, and so the allure of those “forbidden foods” and their temptation goes away.
Since I also know I need to make my diet mostly healthy, I also look for ways to make better healthy meals, and (big shocker), the more healthy I eat, the better I feel and the more I crave healthier foods.
Learning to find healthy foods that you like is key of course, because no one wants to eat foods they can’t stomach (are you listening, broccoli?). Instead of forcing down the greens because you heard somewhere that they’re good for X, Y, and Z, find foods that are actually enjoyable, and you’re more likely to stick to actually eating them.
Here are some of my current faves:
I have a mild obsession with Greek Yogurt; if you’ve never tried it, it’s thicker and has a tangier taste than regular, but also has much more protein and thus its satiety factor increases. My go-to brands are usually Yo Greek (featured above), Oikos’, Non-fat versions or Trader Joes’ brand, and usually I go for the flavored ones because plain Greek Yogurt can be pretty intense! I love mixing in some walnuts or almonds with the Vanilla non-fat flavored version, but since nuts can quickly get out of hand calorie-wise, I’m currently sticking to Emerald’s 100 Calorie packs of nuts. Mixing the two together makes for a great snack! Other snack faves? Cucumbers or carrots with non-fat cottage cheese, an apple with Laura Scudder’s all natural peanut butter, pita chips and hummus, half a bagel with a few banana slices and 1 teaspoon of peanut butter.
I love breakfast, and getting a good breakfast in the morning is essential for energy and to get that metabolism going for the day. Typically now I make a breakfast wrap with 2 eggs or four egg-whites, some non-fat cottage cheese or Soyrizo (soy chorizo), one flour tortilla, and some salsa. Yum! When running shorter on time I’ll have some cereal with Almond Milk or a whole-wheat bagel with peanut butter. And of course, a heaping cup of coffee, which I refuse to go without (sorry, there’s just no compromising on some things).
Ceviche, featured above, which is a pretty light traditional Hispanic dish.
For a quick and easy meal on-the-go, Healthy Choice has new 100% Natural No Preservative Frozen Entrees. My pick? Pumpkin Squash Ravioli. Although I don’t like frozen meals for everyday and usually have to add a fruit or yogurt to meet my calorie needs if I have one for lunch, they’re a great choice when you’re short on time.
Oh yes, and my current favorite dinner? Grilled salmon with grilled asparagus and baked sweet potatoes or this hearty beef stew featured above.
Balance is key. I’m not perfect 100% of the time and don’t really try to be. Aim to eat healthy, as often as you can, with plenty of fresh fruits, veggies, whole grains, unprocessed foods and lean proteins majority of the time. That way, when the occasional can’t-resist Chocolate Lava Cake from Fleming’s (featured above), Coffee Lover’s Only ice cream via Coldstone comes calling, you can answer without hesitation or guilt.
All photos featured above property of Skinny Jeans Mom.
