I will be the first to admit that I love finding about alternative uses for things I use on a regular basis. Yes, I've put dryer sheets in my pocket on a buggy night or sprinkled kitty litter into my garbage can to absorb odors so I was excited when I came across this blog from the Jane Iredale website that listed some secondary uses for some of their products that I love and use on a regular basis.  Believe me you'll be thanking me that I pointed you in this directions when you realize that you've forgotten to put on your deodorant, but remembered that you had your Balance Spray in your purse.....Happy Reading :)

Value and Versatility: Now That's Beauty!

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I am always so proud of the amazing quality and versatility of our products, which makes them such a great value. This blog is dedicated to describing new and unusual ways our make-up can be used, but here are some strange-but-true alternative uses we gathered from blogs, Twitter, etc. Have some of your own? Don't be shy, post them here!

1. Truly Pure, our makeup brush shampoo, makes an amazing sulphate free shampoo for your hair!
2. Disappear takes the itch out of mosquito bites.
3. The zap (clear) side of Zap&Hide smooths severely dry, flaky lips.
4. Botanical Brush Cleaner makes a great DEET-free and pleasant smelling bug repellent (I personally can't stand the smell of Citronella).
5. D20tames frizzies! I know we gals from the Northeast are suffering with bad hair this summer!
6. Pommisstcan be used like Febreeze, spray it on bedding and clothes for a sweet smell. D20 also keeps sweaters fresh when you pack them away for winter.
7. Balancecan be used in a pinch as a substitute for deodorant; perhaps it is the Tea Tree Oil in it.
8. One person wrote that when she had a skin rash, her doctor suggested she use something with Titanium Dioxide in it. She dusted herself with Powder-Me SPF and her skin felt better and it also helped camouflage the spots.
9. One esthetician uses shades from our Super Shape Me Brow Kit to cover up her clients' roots between coloring
10. Lip Drink conditions and tames unruly brows. This is great for busy-morning makeup!

A common question that I get asked is "What is the difference between freckles and age spots? It is then usaully followed by "What causes them and how do you I get rid of them?" So I decided to dedicate a blog to answering these questions.

Freckles

Freckles (also known as ephelides) are small flat brown spots that appear on sun-exposed skin, especially the face and arms. Freckles are inherited and become darker with consistent sun exposure. Ultraviolet rays from the sun activate pigment producing skin cells (melanocytes) to produce pigment (melanin). Increased melanin is manifested as dark or brown spots on the skin.

What causes freckles?-Freckles are commonly found on the face and hands, and any other part of the body that has been overexposed to the sun. Freckles are among the many signs of photoaging. Photoaging occurs when excessive sun exposure speeds the skin's natural aging process.

 Treatment Options

Although it is not medically necessary to treat freckles, patients often seek treatment for cosmetic reasons. Potential treatments include topical bleaching creams, topical retinoids, chemical peels, liquid nitrogen, and laser or pulsed light therapy.

Although freckles themselves are harmless, it is important to distinguish between freckles and a type of skin cancer called melanoma. If you have freckles, you have a higher risk of melanoma. Also, if your freckles are growing or changing, it is important see your physician for a skin check.

Age Spots, Sun Spots & Liver Spots

Age spots are also known as sun spots, liver spots, lentigos, or lentigines. These lesions are flat, tan, brown, or dark brown spots on sun-exposed skin. As people age, sun spots most commonly appear on the backs of the hands, the forearms, neck, chest, and face. Sun spots are associated with cumulative sun exposure. The pigment producing cells in the skin (called melanocytes) are activated to produce more pigment (melanin) by ultraviolet rays. While these spots are not themselves cancerous, you may be at risk for skin cancer if you have them.

What causes age spots?

Age spots increase with age and with increased sun exposure. They are more common in people who freckle and who burn easily. It is important to know that if you've had enough sun to develop age spots, you have a higher risk of developing skin cancer.

Top Age Spot Treatment Options:

• Chemical Peels
• Laser Resurfacing
• Intense Pulsed Light Therapy
• Bleaching Creams

How do Jennifer Aniston, Keira Knightley and Natalie Portman keep their perfect complexions? Genetics are only part of the answer. And a cocktail of products only go so far. But the real secret to consistently clear skin comes from the deep-down clean that only regular medical facials provide. Something that looks NOTHING like the pretty picture here! Never heard of a medical facial? Most people haven’t. It’s time to ditch the idea that facials are a relaxing pastime and start embracing the astonishing, long-term benefits of this form of consistent, aesthetic attention.

A medical facial is an extra amenity served up in many medspas, plastic surgery and dermatology offices, usually by a staff aesthetician. It is the polar opposite of a spa facial because relaxing it is not. As a matter of fact, it can hurt. But never fear, it’s like your first Brazilian, pretty soon you’ll be tap-tap-tapping away on your blackberry while she does her thing.

A typical medical facial can consist of
* Microdermabrasion or chemical peel

* Steam
* Extractions

* Application of serums, peptides and/or treatment mask
* Sunscreen

Your Aesthetician microdermabrases, using crystals to exfoliate or a light chemical peel depending on your skin type. Both will remove surface dead skin.

The next step is money, kids: extraction! Your aesthetician spends the most time here, and with exfoliated skin, no clogged pore escapes her hawk eyes. She uses a teeny-tiny needle to open the pore, creating a passageway to get all the gross stuff out from even the most cystic pimple. Sounds heinous, I know, but this is where the results come from, attacking the root of the problem.

Serums, peptides or a treatment mask are meant to hydrate, feed and nourish the new skin tissue that has been brought to the surface. Next step PROTECTION –sunscreen…never leave home without it. The result: your very own celebrity skin! Besides, we can’t even begin to name the socialites and celebs waiting in the underground medspas and doctors offices of NYC and LA, and if they can do it, so should you.

Regardless of the shape and size of their bodies and their degree of physical fitness, approximately 80% of all women age 20 and older have cellulite. Cellulite is generally present on thighs and buttocks but may also be found on the abdomen. VelaShape™ is an FDA approved laser cellulite treatment powered by elos™ laser technology. It is a highly effective cellulite reduction body contouring treatment that removes cellulite as it firms, making it appear as if weight loss has occured. No other cellulite laser device can reach the same depth of penetration as VelaShape to reach and mobilize subdermal adopose tissue.  New collagen deposited in areas of treatment, produces a smoother, more contoured body. Not only do patients notice a more shapely firm contoured body, they are excited about clothing fitting better as they drop their dress size. Learn more about VelaShape cellulite reduction at NouveauDerm Medspa and request a FREE consultation

What Does IPL Stand For?

IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light. IPL treatments are often referred to as photo rejuvenation, Photofacial or IPL Photofacial due to its use of "selective photothermolysis" during treatment. Photothermolysis is the process by which IPL lasers convert light energy to heat energy and treat unwanted hair and skin pigments. IPL lasers can use photothermolysis to remove unwanted hair, or to correct skin hyperpigmentation, rosacea, age spots and the appearance of sun damage.