Don't Wait Until It's Too Late To Treat Damaged Decollete Skin

Skin care does not stop at the precious face and neck, ladies.

When you're in your 20s and 30s, you're just not thinking about protecting your decollete. But trust us, as you head into your 40s and beyond, those once cute, tiny freckles scattered across your decollete will matter, because those sun damaged spots will become more prominent, and annoying to look at.

What exactly is the decollete?

The decollete is the upper part of a woman's chest, below the neck. And that brings us to the point of our article today:

Skin Care should not end at the chin. Let's look below. The decollete area on a woman's body is one of the first places to show age. The decollete needs tender loving care. According to liv.com, a website dedicated to helping raise awareness about early detection of breast cancer, the skin of the decollete, is quite delicate:

"The skin on the décolleté area is more sensitive than skin on other parts of our body; it is thinner, less moisturized, has less elasticity and there is no fat tissue below. Consequently, this skin is more likely to show signs of aging with dryness, hyper-pigmentation and age spots."

We have found a super new beauty product by a beauty company we trust, that addresses the neck and decollete:

Necollete by Osmotics Cosmeceuticals ($75, Osmotics.com. This is a strong formula that fights back against damaged decollete skin:

Helps firm and support neck contours while reinforcing fragile skin with needle free hyaluronic acid booster .
Strengthens collagen fibers with powerful peptide combination.
Visibly reduces redness/blotchiness for a more even skin tone.
Firms and tightens for more youthful contours.

Allure magazine once asked 40-something model Cindy Crawford about the areas she pays special attention to:

CINDY CRAWFORD: My hands and my décolleté. In L.A., there are 65-year-old women walking around in Juicy sweatpants, and from the back, you'd think they were 20. But when you see their hands or their neck, you know. When I put moisturizer on my face, I use a little extra so that I have enough to cover my hands. Most people don't start caring about the décolleté until it's too late, but I'm religious about it.

Let's all get on decollete damage control in 2011.

Ermis Labs Uses 2-Pronged Attack On Acne With Special Bottom Of The Sea Ingredient

Acne. It's a word that makes most of us cringe. And it's a condition that can instantly crush one's self-esteem. But as we look forward to new beauty possibilities in 2011, we find hope for clear skin with Ermis Labs.

And in this company's new 2-pronged attack on acne, we also discover a special ingredient at the bottom of the sea. It's sea whip coral, and yes, it plays a key role in the acne treatment program of CoralActives.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Chris Billis, co-founder of Ermis Labs, and trying the CoralActives system. And we wanted to know right away, what's up with the coral?

"The ultimate 'stand out' is Sea Whip Extract," Chris says. "It's an extremely expensive ingredient and difficult to harvest but it addresses the redness, irritation and inflammation of acne that every other product chooses to ignore."

Chris Billis and his partner Paul Tuffy, both have extensive backgrounds in the pharmaceutical business, namely in the field of dermatology. Chris is an acne expert and Paul is extremely knowledgable about inflammation. And both gentlemen saw plenty of over-the-counter acne medications that just didn't have the power to stop the break-outs. So, the two developed their own system, and CoralActives was born. And no, you don't need a prescription.

There are 2 simple steps:
1. Wash your face with CoralActives Retinol Exfoliating Cleanser ($22) .
2. Treat your skin with CoralActives Penetrating Acne Gel Serum ($28).

And Chris Billis says his treatment attacks acne differently, than other systems like Proactiv.

"The key differentiator are the ingredients," Chris explains. "I chose 6% benzoyl peroxide (serum gel), Proactiv uses 2.5%. 6% is the highest clinical efficacy, i.e. 7%, 8%, 9%, 10% do no better than 6 - they do however run the risk of irritation at higher doses. Most would consider 6% high, but if you take the time a formulate a vehicle that is extremely moisturizing and has the proper elements to break benzoyl peroxide down to its smallest particle you can avoid irritation. I added ingredients that would attract moisture from the air and keep it on the skin. And bet of all it's light, the serum goes one so easily.".

We fell in love with the Retinol Exfoliating Cleanser, too. It's powerful but kind to skin, and like the acne gel serum, it is formulated with sea whip coral, as well as encapsulated retinol.

"That means it stays absolutely pure until you start to wash your face," Chris explains. "From production, to manufacturing, filling, shipping and in your bathroom nothing touches the retinol. For the 20-30 seconds you wash your face you are getting an incredible rush of retinol, but because of the short contact you can avoid the usual side effects. The cleanser also contains very fine micro beads for exfoliation.".

We believe that the new CoralActives acne treatment system by Ermis Labs is a skin care line and company to watch in 2011. Chris Billis and Paul Tuffy have the beauty and clinical science to back up their 2-step attack on break-outs and pimples.

Take a look at their website. It is very educational about acne and how to treat this problem that affects some 20 million people in the US between the ages of 12-24, every year.

You can order the cleanser and gel serum here.

Kourtney Kardashian Stealing Spotlight Away From Kim With Skinny Post-Baby Body

At 31, Kourtney Kardashiam has never looked lovelier. There she is last evening at the Golden Globes Award show, rockin' a gold, strapless sparkling mini. And the reality star momma is also gracing the cover of OK magazine, one year after giving birth to cutie-pie son, Mason.

A sexy, blue bikini and oh-so-flat belly, and a whopping post-baby weight loss of 45 pounds!! She now tips the scales at 95 pounds. And no surgery was involved in her gorgeous transformation.

Kourtney is the oldest and shortest of the Kardashian sisters. She has often said, that if she walks alone down a crowded street, hardly anyone recognizes the dark-haired beauty. Well.....not anymore. Kourtney is definitely stealing the spotlight from curvy sister Kim.

"I love my new body," the 31-year-old tells OK. "They say that it takes a full year to really get your body back [after giving birth] and I believe that."

Kourtney has some sensible skinny post-baby body tips for OK magazine readers:

1. If you can, Nurse Your Baby. Kourtney says this works. "Because I’m nursing, I have to eat constantly. So when we’re filming I tell everyone, ‘Remind me that I’m hungry.’ And if it’s a snack, I try to make healthier choices." She also mentions in the Kardashian sisters' new book, 'Kardashian Konfidential,' that, "Breastfeeding takes a lot of the weight off, so I lost a lot of it easily, not changing anything."

2. Move Your Body. Kourtney did not get those amazing abs by just watching the fat melt away. Her advice---head to the gym for some strengthening exercises, and don't sit still. "I’d take him on walks when he was a baby and do squats while holding him…"

3. Adopt A Sound Diet Plan. Kourtney doesn't believe in depriving oneself of a few naughty foods, but after having had a baby, she has learned to eat small, and healthy but more often. The petite reality star adds "healthy choices with a few splurges," to her diet.

Kourtney Kardashian admits that it wasn't easy taking off the post-baby weight. But she also wants new moms out there to know, that it can be done in a very healthy and sensible way. And she hopes to inspire these women in 2011.

Check out Kourtney's blog and read the entire OK mag interview, packed with her skinny post-baby body tips.

Dull Rough Frizzy Hair Needs Paul Mitchell Gloss Drops

Too many chemical processes, constant blow-drying, and plain old exposure to the dry, frigid winter elements, and your hair has lost its shine.

Look in the mirror these days. The long, cold January days and nights have cursed us all. Dull, rough, frizzy locks Yuck!

That's why we have turned to the hair master himself, Paul Mitchell. And he's got a super product to bring back the high wattage shine. It's called Gloss Drops ($20, 3.4 0z).

It's a light-weight silicone gloss that really smoothes the surface and leaves hair soft and silky. And a little goes a long way. Gloss Drops by Paul Mitchell features jojoba oil, chamomile, and henna, to produce a healthy, huge shine---hair with depth.

What we like about the product, is its versatility. All you have to do, is add 1 or 2 drops, to your favorite leave-in conditioner, apply to hair and blow-dry. Or you can use Gloss Drops by itself, and watch your beautiful mane return.

Anyone who dyes hair, perms, straightens, blow-drys, flat irons, and so forth, will lose shine. Even celebrities face hair challenges because of all the primping in between. It's the products we use after these harsh treatments, that make a world of difference.

For more information on Paul Mitchell Gloss Drops and where to buy this frizz-free polish, click here.

How To 'Rent The Runway' And Get Glam Like Kim Kardashian For Cheap

We just stumbled on to this website yesterday. And we were quite amazed at the concept of Rent The Runway.

You can be a glam cinderella for the night without breaking the bank. Want to look like sexy Kim Kardashian, right down to the curve-hugging expensive dress?!

Now, you can. In fact, Kim's dress, a stunning, $2,800 Gold Glimmer Strapless number by Herve Leger is available. You can rent the dress for just $200 for 4 days. And when you're done, just place your order in the pre-paid package and drop it in the nearest mailbox. RentTheRunway.com will take care of the dry cleaning.

RentTheRunway.com is a service that lets you borrow high-end designer pieces like Herve Leger, Escada, Badgley Mischka and absolutely gorgeous accessories from Judith Leiber, Elizabeth Cole and many others at 90% off retail prices!

Be it black tie, a special date, a wedding, or just a night on the town, RentTheRunway.com has the perfect designer pieces for you. And their style experts are just a click away, to help you choose your individual, knock-out look.

Not exactly sure how these glam designer dresses will fit on you? No problem, Select a FREE backup size for the perfect fit.

We love this idea....very smart! 2011 is going to be a great and very stylish new year!

How To Get Skinny In 2011 With One Easy Yoga Position

This is it! The big secret to staying skinny for the rest of your life, ladies.

And we have tested this one, easy yoga position for the last two years now, and it works! We have NOT gained more than a pound or two, in those couple of years. And at the moment, we are 2 pounds skinnier since that time.

We are talking about the Sarvangasana, or in non-yoga talk---the shoulder stand. And there are many health and beauty benefits to practicing the Sarvangasana daily. We get into this position upon arising each morning, and quietly meditate for 2 minutes in a shoulder stand.

The yoga shoulder stand. It does a body good! No kidding.

Many yoga students have experienced incredible weight normalization with the aid of the shoulder stand. The thyroid gland is stimulated during the pose. The shoulder stand helps to promote the correct functioning of the thyroid by increasing the blood supply into the throat area.

Not only is the shoulder stand great for weight control, it also helps those suffering with asthma. As Raghuram, a yogi who has taught yoga to some 16,000 asthmatic patients worldwide, explains it, "In this posture, the diaphragm muscle is strengthened because it has to work against gravity. This opens the chest and improves lung capacity."

The yoga shoulder stand is also good for those with varicose veins, since it allows the blood to flow out of the legs. The exercise pose does wonders for your belly and legs, too. It strengthens them and tones them up.

If you can do the shoulder stand for 2 minutes, once a day, you will gradually pick up the benefits. Start out slowly, and be sure your chin is pressed against your chest during the pose. Breathe slowly and deeply.

Do not attempt the shoulder stand if you suffer from heart disease, high blood pressure, glaucoma, or slipped discs (always best to check with your doctor before trying). And do not get into this position during your period. The inversion of your body can cause dizziness or nausea. However, doing the shoulder stand when you don't have your period, is said to relieve the onset of menstrual cramps in the long run.

We got scolded by one person, who commented that, "Doing one Asana alone is not sufficient. Yoga is a life style."

Yes and no. We agree that practicing yoga is a super way to stay healthy. But we have also learned, the Sarvangasana is known as "the Queen of the asanas" because of its many benefits. So, if you find that your time is limited in the course of Yoga practice, it is recommended to concentrate on this one, easy position--the shoulder stand.

Happy New Year!

How To Get Better Skin From Inside Out With 2 Pills Per Day

Beauty in a bottle. Does it really exist?

We have tackled this subject many times before, and each occasion we discuss the challenge, we admit, that the science of beauty and all its technological advances are making a major difference for women these days.

Back in the days of our grandmothers and great-grandmothers, a simple egg white mask was a way to tighten skin and bring a temporary glow to the complexion. There weren't too many options for pushing back the clock.

But times have changed. In fact, there is at least one beauty company that swears you can develop better skin from the inside out with just 2 pills per day. And some beautiful celebrities are already popping their way to a brighter, more even skin tone and texture.

The product is GliSODin Skin Nutrients Advanced Skin Brightening pills ($80 for 60 pills). And the company claims that their all natural melon-plant-derived antioxidants promote even skin tone by halting the activity of tyrosinase, the enzyme responsible for hyperpigmentation.

Actresses like Drew Barrymore and Kristen Stewart are big fans of GliSODin beauty ingestibles. The company offers both beauty powders and pills.

Drew loves the Detox Formula ($125) because it," keeps my skin smooth and glowing".

And young Kristen is hooked on GliSODin's Advanced Brightening Formula ($80).

According to the company's website About page, the drinkable beauty concept came about in the City of Lights:

"GliSODin® is a unique non-genetically modified melon extract naturally rich in superoxide dismutase (SOD), combined with wheat protein to protect its SOD activity within the intestinal cells. GliSODin was developed by Isocell Laboratories, based in Paris, France. Isocell Laboratories is a leading company in anti-aging medicine, clinical research, and dermatological advancement and is the owner of GliSODin’s two US patents.

The GliSODin lineoffers 4 key products for total skin health. The products are available at beauty spas, and the offices of dermatologists and plastic surgeons around the country. Check it out here.

It's a brand New Year, and maybe, just maybe, it's possible to become more healthy and beautiful from the inside out in 2011.