the body shop

Is Your Skin Dehydrated? Take This Test...

hydrationYour skin is probably dehydrated... really dehydrated, actually. Your skin needs water, vitamins, and nutrients to retain that healthy, young, and glowing look, but how can you tell if it's dehydrated and if it is dehydrated, how do you fix it? Don't worry, we got you!

The snap, pinch, and pout test, created by Dr. Terry Loong, is a great way to check the hydration levels and elasticity of your skin, which decrease as we age. It's also a great way to tell if the products you're using are working as well as you would like them to.

Snap Test: Using you your thumb and forefinger, gently pinch the skin underneath your eyes.  Depending on how quickly it "snaps" back will indicate how hydrated and how much elasticity your skin has.

Pinch Test: "Pinch" the apples of your cheeks to feel how much collagen your skin has by seeing if there are fine lines on the surface of the skin when you pinch it.  If there are fine lines, your skin may be dehydrated or have reduced elasticity, which needs to be addressed through internal and external care to maintain youthful skin.   

Pout Test: "Pout" to check area around your mouth.  As you release the pout, you'll want to see if fine lines remain.  It is so important to apply an extra layer of skincare around your mouth, as we often wipe it off as we continue our skincare routines, after we brush our teeth or drink and eat food.

So you tested your skin and it's dehydrated. How do you fix it?

According to Dr. Terry Loong, "it is so important to keep skin properly hydrated to regulate oily and dry skin.  I recommend drinking at least 8 glasses per day to quench the thirst of your skin cells from the inside out. Topical hydration is also key to avoid transepidermal water loss from the inside out." She recommends the Body Shop Drops of Youth Concentrate and The Body Shop Drops of Youth Bouncy Sleeping Mask to help keep skin healthy and flawless!

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She also recommends a good amount of beauty sleep every night! "In terms of skin, sleep time is the golden time for skin renewal because the body is at rest and skin has more energy to regenerate itself and repair daytime damage."

New Year, New Intern: Meet Kayla

kayla-jardineHi, I'm Kayla and I'm so excited to be joining the BeautySweetSpot team! Being a broke college student, my life revolves around great products that are pretty cost effective. If I'm going to spend money, you better believe it's going to be on something that's worth it. These are some of my favorite beauty buys that I currently can't live without, BeautySweetSpot approved, of course!

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Marc Jacobs Matte Lip Gel in Scandal, $30 at Sephora

Every girl needs a good red lipstick. What I love about this particular one is its color. The pigment is so bold, it's meant for making a statement. This is the lipstick I use for cocktail parties or to dress up my look when running errands.

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Rimmel’s BB Cream Beauty Balm, $5.59 at drugstores

The foundation of a flawless look is... well, foundation. I love Rimmel’s BB Cream Beauty Balm with built-in SPF (what alliteration). I love it because not only does it cover up those finals-week breakouts but it also moisturizes your skin. It's light and moisturizing, which is exactly what I seek.

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Urban Decay’s Naked Illuminated Shimmering Powder, $29 at Sephora

This product will literally make you shimmer.  Need I say more? I don’t know how I’ve gone my whole life without it. It’s simple to use and there’s really no wrong method as long as you don’t go overboard (really don’t go overboard or else you could look like the newest disco queen). It highlights my cheekbones perfectly and can even double as a pretty wonderful eyeshadow.

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The Body Shop’s Glazed Apple Body Butter, $5 at thebodyshop-usa.com

Body butters are vital during winter, especially a winter as cold as this one. If you're going to be using body butter it may as well smell like the greatest thing ever, right? That's just another reason I'm obsessed with this product. Apply a little to your cracking hands and they'll hands will be as smooth as a babies bottom.

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Tresemmés Smooth Salon Silk No Frizz Serum, $9.99 at drugstores

Good haircare products are hard to come by, so when you find a great one it becomes the holy grail. I like this product because I have the curliest, frizziest hair the world has ever seen, but it's also great for straight hair. I just put a dab into my hair when it's damp then style.  It keeps my hair silky smooth and frizz-free.

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This Urban Decay Naked Illuminated, $29, is a whole lot of shimmer with a little bit of bronzer.  To say I'm obsessed is even underestimating how much I like it (and I'm not really into shimmer, glitter, sparkle...).  I like the way it looks dusted across my decolletage. I guarantee once you see it in person you're going to want it, too. Like what you see?  Read on because there's a few more things I'm coveting right now.

The Body Shop Honeymania Body Scrub, $ 20, is part of a whole collection that uses Community Fair Trade honey made from the nectar of thousands of wildflowers.  I'm a big fan of gentle body scrubs and this one's exfoliating beads are large and round so it's gentle on my skin.  Plus, it makes my shower smell like flowers!

Skinceuticals Advanced Pigment Corrector, $90, not only helps to rid hyperpigmentation and brown spots, but it's also proven to keep them away.  Formulated with a potent blend of ellagic acid, salicylic acid and yeast extract, it's comparable to, yet safer than hydroquinone.

Nivea Lip Butter in Vanilla & Macadamia Kiss, $3.99, smells like a fresh baked holiday cookie, but don't worry it doesn't taste like one.   The butter-like balm almost satisfies my cravings for sweets (is that all mental?) and keeps my lips soft and moisturized.

L'Oreal Voluminous Butterfly Mascara, $8.99, has a plastic wing-tipped comb that really helps to divide my lashes as I swipe.  The curve in the brush and the bristles help to create that sexy, added lash look at the corners.  With my almond shaped eyes, it almost gives me cat eyes!

 

The Ultimate Face & Hair Oil Cheat Sheet

I'm not sure how you feel about it, but a few years ago I was completely skeptical.  Rubbing oil on your face just sounds like an oxymoron.  Deathly afraid of breaking out I wouldn't do it.  And rubbing oil into my scalp?  Are you kidding?  Sounds like I'm just asking to look like a grease ball.  Well ladies, I guess you can say I learned a thing or two about beauty. Truth is: oils help regulate the sebum production in the skin and on your scalp.  Here's the deal: Hair

  • Purpose: Condition, add shine shine & reduce frizz
  • Types: Argan & monoi are the most popular types.
  • Use: Massage a dime sized amount into your scalp.  If you have fine hair keep it concentrated there, but if you have medium to coarse hair take it down to the mid-shaft and ends.  You can treat your hair with oil weekly.
  • Product Recommendation: Leonor Greyl Regenerescence Naturelle Hair Oil (natural), Borghese Salermo Silkening Hair Oil (light weight), Moroccanoil Oil Treatment (medium, but they also have a lightweight version)
Face
  • Purpose: Regulate oil production, add moisture & calm the skin
  • Types: There's one for all skin types.  Tea tree for acne prone, balancing for oily complexions, hydrating for dry and so on...
  • Use: Despite what you think, using oil on your face can only help regulate oil production.  Yes, even if you have oily skin.  If you strip your natural oils, you're only encouraging more production.  Use oil at night in place of your moisturizer if your skin is really dry or add it to your moisturizer.  Use an oil that suits your skin type nightly for best results.
  • Product Recommendations: Rodin Olio Lusso (hydration), Darphin Chamomile  Oil (sensitive skin), The Body Shop Tea Tree Collection (acne prone), Josie Maran Argan Oil (mature skin)

My WPIX Segment: Holiday Beauty Bargain Buys

This morning I did a segment on WPIX on Holiday Beauty Bargain Buys. One of the great things about holiday shopping is that not only are we in the holiday spirit, but so are beauty brands and retailers.  They're packaging some of their best selling items into affordable giftables so you can give without breaking the bank.  It doesn't hurt to pick up some beauty loot for yourself either while the deals are going on!  Check out the segment here and shopping guide after the jump.Lorac Bejeweled Day & Night Jewelry Box, $56 at Sephora, a $415 value Philosophy Amazing Grace Fragrance Layering Collection, $49.50 at Philosophy.com, a $72 value

Smashbox Snap You’re Fab Holiday Lip Gloss Set, $30 at Smashbox.com, a $96 value

Violet Clarisonic Mia, $119 at Nordstrom.com, a $134 value

Sonia Kashuk All Out Glam Six-Piece Brush Set, $24.99 at Target, a $54 value

The Body Shop Coconut 4-Piece Gift Collection, $30 at Sephora, a $48 value

Sephora Makeup Studio Blockbuster, $49.50 at Sephora, a $440 value

 

 

Somaly Mam Foundation Gala Honors The Body Shop

Last night I was honored to attend the Somaly Mam Foundation Gala at Espace in NYC as a guest of The Body Shop.  Of course I can appreciate a brand that creates quality body butter, but there's nothing better than beauty for a cause.  I have to share what learned and experienced first hand last night as I'm rarely ever this touched.

Since 2009, The Body Shop has been involved with the foundation (a nonprofit charity that's committed to end modern day slavery) to help stop child sex trafficking and this year they were being honored by Somaly Mam herself at the gala for standing behind the organization not only by donating but also by taking action around the world.

There were elements of glamour and celebration as Annalynne McCord, Petra Nemcova, Padma Lakshmi, Ron Livingston, Susan Sarandon and Russell Simmons were all in attendance and the theme was festive.  Yet, the audience (me being one the them) had tears in their eyes as young women from Cambodia told stories of how they were survivors of childhood slavery.  They were sold as sex slaves.  As I sat there amongst other media in my cocktail dress sipping red wine, it was very hard to listen to and opened up my eyes to things that really matter.  I was honored to be there.  These women weren't victims, they were survivors and that's what the Somaly Mam Foundation and Body Shop were celebrating.

Holiday Gift Idea & Giveaway: The Body Shop Maca Root Scrub & Shave Set

Another one for that special man on your list!  Whether it be your main man, your dad or brother any guy would appreciate this gift set.  It's something they'd all use, but wouldn't buy for themselves. Introducing The Body Show Maca Root Scrub & Shave Set, $48. It includes:

  • 4.2 fl oz For Men Maca Root Facial Scrub
  • 3.3 fl oz For Men Maca Root Razor Relief
  • 3.3 fl oz For Men Maca Root Shave Cream
  • Wooden Shaving Brush

Want one?  Happy Holidays to you from BeautySweetSpot!  I'm giving one away to one lucky BSS reader to gift to a special man!  Follow and RT the giveaway on Twitter @Beautysweetspot and comment below telling me who you'd gift it to and why.

A winner will be chosen at random at the end of the day!  Good luck!