FASHION AND BEAUTY TIPS

I just discovered a new nail polish remover that comes in a bottle that is so much easier to use…I will never go back to the regular screw-top bottle! Like I mentioned before, it’s just the smallest detail like the design of the bottle that makes the experience so much less annoying! The Cutex Non-Acetone Nail Polish Remover Twist & Lock Pump has a pump on the top of the lid so you just have to flip the lid, press a cotton ball down, pump a couple times, and your cotton is soaked with remover. When you are done using it, you twist the pump and it locks so you don’t accidentally pump nail polish remover all over your bathroom cupboard. Genius! And it comes in a Non-Acetone variety…even better!

After spilling nail polish remover all over my bathroom counter for my entire life, I think it’s justified that I’m so excited about such a simple invention. I think my manicurist has been using something similar for years, but I have a feeling that I just didn’t hear about it ’til now…

The Cutex Non-Acetone Nail Polish Remover Twist & Lock Pump is available at most drugstores.

ESPA Super Active Repair and Restore Concentrate

Natural skin care spa ESPA has created an emergency quick-care solution for your extreme skin care problems. The ESPA Super Active Repair and Restore Concentrate is an intensive six-week regime for sensitive, dehydrated, and stressed skin. If you tried a new skin care treatment that has left you completely embarrassed to leave the house, there is finally an option to help combat this problem! I have definitely heard tons of horror stories about red faces as a result of harsh treatments (we all remember Samantha at Carrie’s book release party in Sex & the City!) so it’s good to know that there is a product to go to when you are stuck with this unfortunate malady.

Joe Morton discovered the mangosteen on a trip to Southeast Asia while searching for a special natural nutritional supplement. His interest in the mangosteen led to research and development of delicious and nutrient-rich mangosteen juice that would be used to start XanGo, a company that now offers a wide variety of mangosteen-based products. The name comes from Xan referring to the XANthone-rich nutrients and Go referring to the manGO steen.

A new development from XanGo is the Glimpse intuitive Skin Care Line, which uses BioActive X³ Complex derived from the mangosteen rind as a base for topical skin care products. The unique xanthone-rich ingredients in the skin care line provide an all-natural toxin-free way to promote healthy skin and reduce signs of aging.

I had the opportunity to try samples of the complete six-step Glimpse system that includes: creamy cleanser, gel cleanser, toner, serum, moisturizing cream, and moisturizing lotion. It also includes Mangosteen Pericarp Oil as an added moisturizing supplement and Glimpse Mineral Treatment as a final step for skin protection.

It’s impressive that the Glimpse line fully explores the idea of mangosteen pericarp by offering a complete set of products that utilize this special ingredient. I would have to use the six-step process exclusively for a long period of time to fully report about the ability to make my skin more glowing and radiant, but I do enjoy the ease of use. I like that the system has different elements so you can adjust it based on location, weather, or other factors that affect your skin as it becomes more dry, oily, or irritated than usual. The Mangosteen Pericarp Oil is a great supplement that I will keep around to add to my regular skin care regimine when I’m feeling more dry than usual and the Mineral Treatment is a great powder that didn’t cause any irritation.

The Neutrogena Wave Duo is a battery-powered massaging and cleansing device that looks kind of like a small computer mouse. The Wave Duo Kit includes the Wave Duo, a AA battery (so appreciated! I probably wouldn’t have used it if I had to go buy a pack of AAs), and 14 pads. The device was super easy to use, which is great for someone like me who doesn’t like to read directions. You pop in the AA battery and there are two buttons with icons for On/Off and Speed. The pads are circular softly textured pads with moisture-activated facial cleanser already in them. You place a pad onto the velcro end of the Duo, add a little water, turn the power On, and start massaging your face with the cleanser. The cleanser lathers slightly to clean your face while also massaging away dead skin cells, makeup, oil, and dirt.

I am not one to gush about using a new skin product just once, but I can really say that after only one use my skin felt so soft! I am a big fan of daily exfoliation as one of the best ways to keep skin smooth and healthy, so the Neutrogena Wave Duo is my new favorite daily exfoliating tool. The vibrating massaging sensationfelt really great on my skin. I was a little disappointed that I couldn’t use my regular daily cleanser with the Neutrogena Wave Duo, but then I discovered that three have types of pads available: Shine-Free Blemish-Free, Gentle Exfoliating, and Foaming. The Wave Duo Kit includes the foaming pads, but I will definitely be trying the Shine-Free Blemish-Free next. You also definitely need to use a moisturizer after using this product to protect and replenish your skin after being deeply cleansed.