GIVEAWAY CLOSED!

Luxtural®, the newest player on the beauty block, is redefining luxury skin care by emphasizing not only safety and efficacy, but the quality of their natural luxury skin care products.

The brand’s unique approach to skin care is a return to true luxury – by combining the best aspects of the luxury, natural skin care and scientific industries; Luxtural achieves what no other skin care company can. Luxtural’s primary concern is a green approach to anti-aging. The powerful formulation contained in each of the three skin care products are clinically tested, hypoallergenic, free of parabens and synthetic fragrances, and are created using sustainable ingredients like Pure Pacific Ocean Rainwater. According to the brand’s founder Pnina Vilinsky, “real anti-aging starts with proper hydration,” therefore ingredients found in Luxtural are original collaborations and unique to the line.

Luxtural aims to appeal to a woman’s aesthetic preferences while still delivering high performance. “Our customer has always been a woman who seeks the best in skin care,” says Pnina. “You don’t have to sacrifice luxury for effective and quality skin care products. Luxtural is truly the only one of its kind: a results-orientated skin care line emphasizing natural ingredients.”

WIN IT : Mystique Fountain Deep Hydrating Rainy Mist by Luxtural®

The first step in the Luxtural skin care regimen, the Mystique Fountain feels like a gentle mist of ocean water. A superb hydrator for any skin type, it tones, calms, cools and refreshes the skin while naturally protecting it from environmental damage. The Mystique Fountain is based upon Luxtural’s Pure Pacific Ocean Rainwater, which allows for increased absorption and moisture retention. Mystique Fountain also contains Luxtural’s special exotic extract (SEE), a one-of-a-kind complex that adds additional moisturizing and antioxidant properties. Mystique Fountain can be used as a primer or enhancer for the other Luxtural products or any time of day as a refresher. Price: $78, 3.4 fl. oz.

One lucky reader will have a chance to win the above product. All you need to do is:

• One mandatory entry – Follow me on twitter. Please leave your twitter id.
• Three additional entries – Tweet this giveaway with a link back to this post.  Please leave your twitter thread. You can do this daily until the contest ends.
• Giveaway is open to US and Canada shipping address only.
• Giveaway closes on 10th January 2010. Please check back here for the contest result or subscribe to my blog’s feed as I will not be emailing winner.

Disclosure : Giveaway courtesy of http://www.luxtural.com/

Here is an interesting experiment. Without hesitating for a second, quickly think of the one body part which you think is the most neglected. Chances are, you will not even think of your feet when you answer this question, you see, the feet are so neglected that we never even realize how we neglect them.

Your feet are the most hard working and active part of your body, bearing your weight day in and day out. If you are a woman, chances are that you take good care of your feet, with regular pedicures, massages and grooming. The most probable cause is the satisfaction and thrill of showing off healthy, clean toes when you flaunt your latest peep toes! Men are more prone to totally ignoring their feet. Whatever the reasons, and whatever your gender, it is best to sit up and take a hard look at your feet. Start caring for them from today. Here is how to go about it:

For starters, change your socks daily. Fresh socks will not only wick away sweat more efficiently, but will also keep your feet smelling good. After a rigorous workout, wash your feet and dry them well. Similarly, shoes should be aired and dried in the sun as frequently as possible in order to get rid of bad smell and microbes.

Now to the basics of foot-care. Trimming your toenails regularly is important to avoid accumulation of dirt and microbes. Remember: toenails, unlike fingernails, should be cut straight across, not in a curve. This helps eliminate most niches where bacteria may accumulate.

Soak your feet in warm soapy water at least once or twice a week for about half an hour to soften and clean them. This is the best time to cut your toenails as they are soft. File your toenails so that there are no irregularities where dirt can lodge. A pumice stone can be rubbed on the calloused surfaces to get rid of dead skin. Dry and moisturize your feet. Doing this at night so that you can sleep with your moisturized feet in socks.

Say good morning to happy feet the next day!

Moulay Yacoubi, the owner of New York’s exclusive Pierre Michel Salon is a celebrity hair stylist who has worked with Gwyneth Paltrow, Naomi Campbell, Uma Thurman, Elizabeth Hurley and Kate Moss. Moulay has extensive knowledge of the science behind hair products, hair texture and styling techniques. Some of his favorite, celebrity-inspired looks for holiday festivities include Amy Adams’s sweet side chignon, Blake Lively’s bohemian fishtail braid, Katy Perry’s bombshell waves and Drew Barrymoore’s sleek ‘30s up-do. Check out his following tips:

 Blake Lively’s look

1. After shampoo and conditioner, prep the hair with light mousse. This will help the hair hold the braid shape.
2. After combing and drying the hair, smooth it with a flat brush.
3. Make a very tight ponytail using a bungee ponytail holder (it should have a hook).
4. Use a shine serum (Phytolisse finishing serum works well) and smooth it over the top portion of the hair to create a sleek look.
5. Braid the ponytail and secure it with a small ponytail holder (matching the hair color)
6. Lightly “open up” the braid by tugging it gently in random portions. Don’t do the whole braid or it will lose its shape.
7. Spray the hair with a very light hairspray (L’Oreal Elnett is a great option)

Amy Adams’ look 

1. Wash hair and prep the hair with medium hold mousse.
2. Dry the hair, parting it to one side with a comb.
3. Comb through the top of the hair so that it is smooth and flat against the head.
4. Gather the hair into a low ponytail on the parted side and secure it with an elastic band.
5. Twist the ponytail into a loose bun and secure it with an elastic hairband the same color as the hair.
6. Using finger tips “fluff up” the top of the hair to add some volume.
7. Finish with a shine serum.

Katy Perry’s look

1. Prep hair with shampoo and conditioner.
2. Separate damp hair into a side par.
3. Set with large hot rollers for 30 minutes.
4. Remove the rollers and let the hair cool for 5 minutes.
5. Brush the hair into large, bouncy waves.
6. Separate bangs or the front of the hair and push it toward the side. If you don’t have bangs, hold the hair in place with a fun barrette, so it sweeps across the face.
7. Use a light shine serum to hold the bangs in place.
8. Set the style with a light hairspray.

Drew Barrymore’s look

1. Prep clean hair with light mousse.
2. Using a 1 inch curling iron, separate hair into small sections.
3. Curl each section until you have curled the entire head of hair.
4. Spray hair with light hairspray.
5. Using a flat brush, gently brush through the hair so the curls become waves.
6. If you have long hair, gather it into a low ponytail and flip it under the hair, securing it with bobby pins.

Whoever has not at least heard of Sex and the City is either living in a cave or is blind to the entertainment world. If you are a fan, you probably adore Carrie, the fun and flirty and oh – so- cosmopolitan character played by Sarah Jessica Parker. Even if you do not watch the show, you have probably seen the lady in various other shows, movies or television and awards events, thanks to her massive fan following and popularity amongst viewers. There are a lot of women out there who would love to look like her, to dress like her and to feel a part of the glamour that she exudes. Sarah Jessica Parker has an individual style and look which sets her apart from the crowd, and her popularity reminds one of the ‘Rachel’ hairdo that was popularized by actress Jennifer Aniston’s character of the same name in the popular sitcom, F.R.I.E.N.D.S.

Well, if you are so into Sarah’s style, here are a few pointers to help you get that look. Here goes:

Everyone knows the importance of a good fit, and perhaps Sarah Jessica Parker knows it better than a lot of us! Her clothes, whatever be their style or genre, are well cut, tailored and fit her body like a dream. When you are next out shopping, be sure to pick out the fit that ‘fits’ you, and do not buy trendy looking stuff that will require several gym sessions or soup diets to fit into. Remember – a well fitting piece always looks good.

Funky accessories. Sarah loves wearing these, and you too, should try and adopt these. Be careful though, you have to be able to synchronize your look well in order to balance out the ‘funk’. Minimally embellished clothing with simple styles work well if you plan to make your quirky but awesome necklace the centre of attention.

Sarah never seems to look like somebody else. She has her own personality which she flaunts better than a designer dress. You, too, should try and develop your personality as your main garment. A positive attitude and a confident gait will get you places!

Sarah generally goes for simplicity and style. There are very few occasions when her dress or make up looks over the top, and these are mostly fashion events or characters that she plays. All in all, simple and clean looks better than overdone.

Of course, Sarah Jessica Parker has launched her own line of clothing and accessories, so you cannot get any closer to her personal sense of style that by wearing clothes designed by her. Look for great deals on the official website of her clothing line. Sarah also loves dressing in vintage clothing and is known for her love of classic pieces, with an added touch of her own.

When it comes to make up, Sarah Jessica Parker leans towards the simple and sexy look.

You can add drama with heavily done up eyes and minimal make up on the rest of the face.

Ever so often, you may feel like your life is spinning out of control. More importantly, the effect of your super fast, superbusy lifestyle on your body. With all the late nights, cocktails and junk that enters your body, it is important to give your body a rest and rejuvenate it from time to time. This is where detoxification comes in. Think of it as a spa treatment for your body from within.

Detoxification, or detox for short, is a way to remove toxic substances from your body and clean it from within so that it can handle your erratic lifestyle better, while keeping you full of energy. Here are a few weekend tweaks for you to try. You will not only see the difference, but feel them from within, and Monday morning blues might look a little better.

DIET : Just like your muscles need rest, so does your overworked digestive system. Give your GI system a break and go for this two day detox diet:

The main components of this diet are hydration and nourishment. Hydration is exactly what it says: water, water and lots of it! You can opt for clear vegetable soups without added cream, diluted fruit juices or herbal teas if water makes you feel nauseous, or seems too boring. Alternatively, you can go for lemonade, but please do not add sugar or honey.

Nourishment is another important aspect. The key is to provide your body with enough energy and nutrients to keep you feeling energetic, while at the same time to avoid overwhelming your digestive system. Light snacks like fruits, clear broth based soups and yoghurt will help you clean up your system while jump starting your metabolism, providing you with essential vitamins and minerals, as well as boosting your natural gastrointestinal flora.

Start the day with two to three large glasses of water. After your morning bathroom duties, try some light Yoga stretches and poses to feel fresh and rejuvenated. Instead of three heavy meals, go for light, short snack breaks. Spend your time doing stuff you enjoy, which doesn’t entail stuffing yourself! This will help you relax and detoxify your mind as well as your body!

So you meet the guy/gal of your dreams, and conversation is going well, until you notice something wrong. They look like they are about to gag, and excusing themselves, walk off! If you know where this is going, you probably are aware of what the problem is: your breath stinks!

To put it more politely, you are suffering from Halitosis, which is just the clinical name for bad breath. Not only is Halitosis a major block in one’s social life, it is also an important medical and clinical sign that something is not quite right with one’s body. In any case, it is an embarrassment, so the main concern is getting rid of bad breath, and fast!

Management of halitosis is done at two levels: the immediate and the long term level. Immediate management of halitosis means treating an emergency condition when you need to pull yourself together and get rid of the bad breath as soon as possible. Long term management aims at removing the root cause of halitosis, which is best diagnosed by a dentist or general physician.

Habits like smoking, poor oral hygiene, caries and food impaction are all predisposing factors. To avoid having bad breath:

•  Try and quit smoking if you are a smoker and stay away from cigarettes if you are thinking of experimenting. It will do your health good anyway.
• Adopt good oral hygiene habits. This includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day with a good quality, preferably sugar free toothpaste.
• Flossing regularly and use of Chlorhexidine mouthwashes are two of the best habits you can adopt to save yourself from embarrassing malodor.
• Also, it is important to keep the tongue surface clean, as most food debris can get collected in microscopic irregularities on your tongue. Buy a tongue cleaner or use your toothbrush to lightly rub on the surface of your tongue.
• If you have any dental problems like caries or calculus, visit your dentist as soon as possible and get rid of the same. Regular scaling, dental check up and thorough cleaning of teeth are advisable.

Diabetics are also predisposed to malodor, as are people taking certain medications like certain antimicrobials. Certain hormonal changes are also responsible for bad breath. In such cases, prevention is hardly within one’s own hands, and it is best to consult your doctor. And of course, there is always chewing gum: the fastest temporary fix!

Hermes is a legendary fashion house and is well-known in the glamour world. The world famous Birkin bag has an interesting history and is named after Jane Birkin. It has gained popularity over the years and is a favorite amongst the Who’s Who of the fashion and film industry. Nicole Richie, Kate Moss, Victoria Beckham and Gwenyth Paltrow are some celebrities rarely seen without their Hermes Birkin Bag.

Posh Spice With Her Hermes Birkin

The Birkin bag is favored for its timeless elegance and ineffable style- an almost magical blend of ageless grace and continued modernity that makes it an ideal accessory for any age and season. You can have the bag customized and make it your own by adding a personal touch to it.

The size of the bag ranges from 25 cm to 45 cm. The material used is leather which is scratch-resistant and beautifully textured. The bag is available in a variety of colors, and the most popular choices include- ink, that is the darkest blue and potiron which is orange in color and its shine depends on your choice of leather.

You can also add precious metals to the clasp of your Hermes Birkin bag. Silver palladium, 24 karat gold, guilloche and ruthenium are some examples of the metals used.

These bags are entirely hand-made and are recognized as the ultimate status symbols.

Pictured left : Nicole Richie

Backless dresses can look very elegant but the trick to making a backless outfit work for you lies not in the cut and style of the garment, but the manner in which you take care of your back. Wearing the most exquisitely designed outfit will do no good if your back isn’t smooth, soft and polished to the touch and look.

A daily routine of scrubbing, exfoliating and moisturizing is necessary to keep the skin supple and healthy and young looking.

Firstly, if you have acne on your back, make sure you cover it up with make-up. There isn’t a better way to destroy the chic-factor of an outfit than sporting back acne. So make sure that you use both foundation and concealer. To make sure that it stays on, apply a layer of talcum powder before rubbing in the cover make up.

Even if the skin on your back is clear, it is always recommended to apply foundation so that the tone of your skin is evened out. Usually, the color of the skin on your arms and that on your back is very different. Make sure that you take somebody’s help during this entire process; otherwise you will end up with unsightly streaks on your back.

If you apply talcum powder on your back every hour during the event, it will ensure that your back does not get sweaty and hence, shiny. You can also opt for compact powder as this will give your skin a smoother look.

GIVEAWAY CLOSED!

When the days shorten and the air begins to dry out, we all can sense that fall is on its way in. As we get closer and closer to autumn, hydrating your skin is essential! Hydration is one of the most commonly used words in a skin care specialists’ vocabulary. While the average person understands that skin needs to be hydrated so it doesn’t flake and crack, the amount of moisture found in the skin is actually a determining factor for many other skin issues, including premature aging, discoloration, and problematic skin. While most skincare products work to cover the skin with lotions and serums, they are never successful in actually penetrating the outer layer of the skin, which acts as a filter or barrier for the rest of the body.

What many people don’t know is their skin is an excellent barrier and the first level of protection for their body. Its filters are so small that it is virtually impossible for any type of topical product to actually penetrate them. One of the only substances that can actually penetrate the skin is amino acids – but they must be delivered through an emulsion in order to reach the dozens of various proteins that the skin is made of. When these proteins begin to breakdown they must be repaired or replaced in order for your skin to maintain a youthful, radiant and healthy appearance.

Ground-breaking skincare company AminoGenesis has created a product to harness the amazing power of amino acids – DermaScyne² Intense Daily Serum. DermaScyne² is the only anti-aging skincare product that delivers 25 key biological building blocks to the skin enabling it to replace and repair the skin’s essential proteins as they breakdown to maintain a youthful, radiant and healthy appearance.

DermaScyne² Intense Daily Serum with Natural Moisturizing Factors is the newest, most powerful option to help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, discoloration and other signs of aging. These precursors help support proteins like collagen and elastin as well as many other key proteins found in the skin.

DermaScyne² Intense Daily Serum with NMF  also supplies the skin with the crucial moisture binding compounds found in the natural moisturizing factor. These compounds actually bind water into your skin for maximum hydration. In addition, DermaScyne² with NMF delivers superior anti-aging benefits to keep your skin more youthful, radiant and beautiful for many years to come. Price: $139

WIN IT :  One lucky reader will get to win the above product. Here’s what you need to do to stand a chance to win the DermaScyne² Intense Daily Serum with Natural Moisturizing Factors:

• One mandatory entry – Let me know in the comment section below why you need the DermaScyne² Intense Daily Serum with NMF
• Two additional entries – Tweet this giveaway and leave your twitter id/thread
• Five additional entries – Link to this blog from your blog’s sidebar. Leave your blog url in the comment section
• Giveaway is open to US shipping addresses only and closes on 25th November 2009.
• A winner will be picked using Random.org. Remember to subscribe so that you will be updated with the contest result.

DISCLOSURE : I WAS NOT COMPENSATED NOR PROVIDED WITH ANY PRODUCTS IN EXCHANGE FOR THIS POST. HOWEVER,  THE GIVEAWAY FOR MY READER IS SPONSORED BY AMINOGENESIS.