Suitable Serums for Combination Skin

Skinceuticals is one of my favorite skincare brands. They have a slew of amazing products and are known for their lightweight, makeup-friendly sunscreens and potent, effective serums.

Their serums address all skin issues including dry, oily skin, hyperpigmentation, age spots, acne and rosacea.

I love their B5 Hydrating Gel which replenishes moisture to the skin and their CE Ferulic serum which fights against free radicals and provides antioxident protection. I also adore their Pigment Regulator which effectively treats skin discoloration and scars. Unlike other brightening serums, the regulator protects without using harsh bleaching ingredients.

While the CE Ferulic and B5 Hydrating Gel are perfect for people with dry skin, fan favorites like Phloretin CF and C+AHA are perfect for those with oily skin.

Now that the weather is getting colder and your skin is going through changes to cope with the drier weather, you might need products that work well for more combination skin. If you have oily skin in the summer, you'll probably need something that addresses dry and oily skin issues for the winter. Skinceuticals now has great new options for people with those exact skin concerns. Phloretin CF Gel and the corresponding AOX+ Eye Gel brighten, firm and protect the skin from environmental damages. These little bottles also combat oily skin without making your face feel tight or dry.

Both formulas work well to rejuvenate and protect the skin and are a great addition to your skincare regiment. If you're skin is both oily and dry in the colder months, this duo is a perfect for you. It increases cell turnover (getting rid of flaky, dead skin cells that can clog your pores and cause breakouts) and instantly brightens and firms your face.

Use these amaze new finds in conjunction with the brand's Simply Clean face wash, Equalizing Toner and Daily Moisture cream and you'll be boasting new, fresh skin in no time.

Until October 31^st, anyone can “like” SkinCeuticals and take a four-question quiz testing their knowledge on topical antioxidants.

Participants are automatically entered to win a trip for 2 to NYC for an exclusive consultation with a top NYC derm. Additionally, 10 fans per week will be entered to win the brand’s newest antioxidant product – Phloretin CF Gel.

Below is more info on the challenge and a link to take the challenge.

ANTOXIDANT CHALLENGE – How you can participate:

http://apps.facebook.com/antioxidantchallenge/

Prize details include:

• Airfare for two to NYC
• Three night stay in a Manhattan hotel
• Two complimentary dinners at NYC's hottest restaurants
• Exclusive skincare consultation with one of NYC's top dermatologists for winner and guest
• A customized SkinCeuticals skincare regimen for winner and guest

Check out my reviews on their B5 Hydrating Gel and Sunscreens.

New York Fashion Week Spring 2012-Tibi

Nakima Benjamin is a New York based fashion stylist and creative consultant. She has a knack for describing the look and feel of the slinky clothes that saunter down the runway. Ms. Benjamin was on hand at Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week and lent me her expert eye while attending several fab. shows. Check out Nakima's reviews on Tibi's Spring 2012 collection! 

TIBI

Ever wonder:  if Tibi had an older, slightly more mature sister, what would she look like?  Well, this season's collection gives you a glimpse.  Tibi did some growing up this season by delivering the coveted easy elegance and sophisticated styles commonly associated with designers such as Phoebe Philo of Celine and Narciso Rodriguez.  Look after look embodied an unfussy approach to dressing.  Think long, breezy dresses or billowing wide leg, slouchy pants paired with simple tops.  When working with such simple designs, sometimes it's difficult to keep them interesting but Tibi accomplished this by working with an AH-MAAAAAZING color palette - seafoam, mustard, royal blue, and kelly green were mixed in with heather gray, black, and white - and luxurious fabrics that elevated the looks.  Makeup was kept simple and clean.  Except for a light sweep of eyeshadow, it was hard to even detect makeup on most of the girls.  Though Tibi's signature party dresses and bold prints were de-emphasized this season, it stayed true to itself by presenting feminine pieces in great fabrics.  After all, this collection is the older sister to past collections not a distant 3rd cousin.  There are winds of change at Tibi (think more of a light breeze than a strong gust), and I predict longtime Tibi fans and newcomers alike will appreciate the direction in which this brand is headed.

For further information on Nakima's fashion editorials and advertising campaigns and to view samples of her work, go to her website - www.nakimabenjamin.viewbook.com.

Do Good Looks Influence A Jury?

Much like the Casey Anthony murder trial, there has been a media frenzy surrounding the Amanda Knox case. 

Amanda Knox

On Monday, the appeals court overturned the 26-year sentencing given to Knox in her original trial, allowing the young American to return home after the first time in four years.

Meredith Kercher

Knox was convicted of murdering and sexually assaulting her 21-year-old roommate Meredith Kercher after the young student’s body was found in the Perugia, Italy home they shared. Knox and her former boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito’s DNA was apparently found in the room and on a bloody knife that also contained Kercher’s DNA. After the initial ruling, a judge allowed an independent investigation to take place allowing the defense to show discrepancies in how the DNA evidence was handled in the original case.

The truth about what actually happened the night Kercher was murdered remains a mystery. In the end, a poor, innocent girl was brutally murdered and many of the specifics of the case have been left unanswered. 

 It does get me thinking about how the relative attractiveness of both Knox and Casey Anthony played into the outcome of both of these sensational, media-obsessed trials.

Both women’s physical appearance was heavily scrutinized and commented on by the press. Knox had been painted as a vixen and given the nickname "Foxy Knoxy" by the Italian press. While, her cherubic features convinced many others that there was no way someone who looked like her could have committed such a crime. 

Although, Casey Anthony's appearance wasn't quite as innocent (jurors saw her in skimpy outfits partying the night away while her daughter had been reported missing), her big, doe eyes and relative attractiveness certainly could have played into the eventual outcome of 

the Caylee Anthony murder trial. She too was acquitted of the most serious crimes against her despite what seemed like a slam-dunk case for the prosecution.

In a recent Forbes article, contributor Kiri Blakeley discusses how the looks of an accused female play into the coverage and outcome of a trial. In the article, former FBI profiler Mary Ellen O’Toole is quoted as saying, “Attractive people-women in particular-face several dilemmas when accused of a crime. The focus of the case quickly goes to the woman’s physical appearance, only to underscore the belief that really pretty women—for whatever reason—cannot also be criminals. Or, if a very attractive woman is in fact guilty, she must be evil.”

Caylee Anthony

In the article O’Toole also is quoted as saying “good looks can either help or hinder a defendant. The jury may simply be unable to reconcile a beautiful face with a horrific crime, and therefore more likely to give her the benefit of the doubt. But the opposite can also happen: If it is shown or implied that the woman “used” her good looks to get what she wanted, a judge or jury can be more likely to convict.”

Casey Anthony

In the end, Amanda Knox and Casey Anthony were cleared of their most serious charges and set free-seemingly based on the evidence presented to the jury. These cases were certainly sensationalized by what the defendants looked like and by the media’s obsession with crimes related to sex, family drama and of course murder.  It’s doubtful we’ll ever know the truth with either case but it’s certain that those closest to the victims will mourn their loss forever. 

No matter what, these two women will never be able to live down the reputation that has been created of them. Whether it's justified or not, their looks and demeanor played a part in how they will forever be perceived by the public and for these crimes, despite the outcomes.

Steve Jobs: The Loss of An American Icon

Although Steve Jobs has been sick for a long time with pancreatic cancer, it was still a shock to hear of his passing last night.  The Apple Co-Founder and former head of Pixar Animation died at the age of 56.

He certainly holds a key place in the history for his visionary ideas and implementations. He truly changed how we communicate and live our lives. 

If you haven't had the chance to watch the commencement speech he gave at Stanford in 2005, I urge you to check it out. It's incredibly inspiring and a great reminder to live your life fully and on your own terms. 

He was a brilliant man and his legacy will not be forgotten.