Tanning Beds Are Number One

On July 29th, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), - the cancer division of the World Health Organization - classified tanning beds "carcinogenic to humans." This means that tanning beds that were previously classified as "probably carcinogenic" have jumped to the head of the class.


They are now in GROUP 1, which is the highest cancer risk group. To put this in perspective, other carcinogens listed in this group are plutonium, mustard gas and arsenic. Quite an impressive group!


These experts upgraded the level after analyzing about twenty studies. They concluded that the risk of melanoma increased by 75 per cent when people started using tanning beds before the age of 30. There is also a higher risk for people who are fair skinned, such as blondes with blue eyes or redheads with freckles, as well as young children.


Melanoma, the deadliest and least common of all skin cancers was once a disease of older white men. Doctors have seen an increase in the number of young people with skin cancer as the use of tanning beds has increased among those under 30. Previous studies found younger people who regularly use tanning beds are eight times more likely to get melanoma than people who have never used them.


The Tanning Association advertises that they only using the tanning rays and not the burning rays (UVB). Actually, UVA is just as bad if not worse than UVB. UVB rays stop at the skin surface and cause your skin to change color, while UVA rays penetrate deeper and destroy your DNA.


Also, the high intensity UVA rays found in tanning beds are 10 to 12 times more powerful than the UV rays from the sun. These rays harm your skin by damaging the DNA of the cell and release free radicals, the chemicals that cause cell mutations.


This not only causes skin aging, but also makes you more susceptible to skin cancer. And as if that wasn't enough, ultraviolet light also causes cataracts.


Many tanning salons offer sunless tans that can replace the tanning booth. The spray-on tan uses the chemcial DHA to tint the skin. It doesn't need exposure to ultraviolet ray to initiate the color change and is approved by the FDA for cosmetic use.


Sunless spray tans will last between four and ten days. They give you the look of having been in the sun, but don't use ultraviolet rays. This is a great sunless alternative!


So as you can see, being in the number one group is not always where you want to be.

Pack Your Bags & Tell Them To Take The Lines With Them !

M.D. Forte Skin Rejuvenation Eye Cream





This is a fantastic eye cream and reasonably priced at only $54.00. I saw results with this after only one use, after just one week, the lines around my eyes are just about gone and my under eye area is much smoother !

Update : A few weeks later... Yup, they're still gone ! I like it so much I should erase this post & keep this a secret !



Key ingredients : Soybean Oil provides rich, non-greasy hydration. Vitamin E boosts the skin’s protection against damaging free radicals. Hyaluronic & Glycolic Acids & Retinol stimulate cell-turnover and renewal for a more youthful appearance.




"Because the first and most visible signs of aging tend to appear around the sensitive eye area, this rich, hydrating cream softens, smooths, firms, and tones the skin to rid you of those unwanted fine lines and wrinkles. It also provides a boost of Vitamin E to prevent future damage from free radicals and environmental stress. "



This is a keeper !



Purchase M.D.Forte Skin Rejuvenation Eye Cream

Potent Pro - X Product ?

Olay Pro-X Anti-Aging Review


Olay's most potent skincare line to date, created with input from outstanding professional dermatologists & Olay scientists , sold out within 17 minutes nationwide !


What you get :


Pro-X Age Repair Lotion with SPF 30 – 1oz
Pro-X Wrinkle Smoothing Cream – 1oz
Pro-X Eye Restoration Complex - .3oz



Claims : Younger looking & acting skin in 28 days.



"The complete line of Pro-X products underwent rigorous testing in multiple clinical studies that were reviewed and overseen by independent dermatologists. The clinical trials confirmed it — Pro-X delivers clinically proven anti-aging results in 28 days. So your skin acts younger.* And younger-acting skin leads to younger-looking skin."



" Improved moisture retention & increased exfoliation. "



" 25 percent reduction in the appearance of the length & depth of wrinkles, the same percent as among those who use Renova. "




The new Olay Pro-X line contains two types of peptides and niacinamide ( a derivative of vitamin B ) believed to boost the effects of the peptides.





Pro-X Age Repair Lotion with SPF 30 is designed to help shield your skin from harmful UVA and UVB exposure. it also hydrates to fight the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.




Pro-X Wrinkle Smoothing Cream is designed to smooth uneven textures with moisture, combating the look of fine lines and wrinkles.





Pro-X Eye Restoration Complex is designed for the part of your face that communicates age the most: the delicate eye area. This treatment hydrates to restore the area to its optimum appearance by improving the look of crow’s feet. Massaging it in reduces excess fluids to diminish dark circles and puffiness.




The Deep Wrinkle Treatment has a small amount of a mild retinol. Pro-X Deep Wrinkle Treatment is designed for the deepest wrinkles. This cream penetrates deep into your skin's surface, combating the appearance of wrinkles.





Pro-X Hydra Firming Cream is designed to that help optimize elasticity and firmness by plumping and locking in moisture.





Pro-X Discoloration Fighting Concentrate is designed to help fade the appearance of overactive pigmentation – such as age spots and brown spots. This product hydrates skin to gradually repair the look of discoloration deep within skin’s surface.



What I thought :


I purchased the kit for $61.50. A little pricey for an Olay product , but alot of creams sell for alot more. Olay is also offering a $25 rebate when you purchase $50 worth of product by March 8, 2009. You can download the rebate at Olay.com. The kit also included a $10 coupon off a future product purchase of $40 or more.




This is a stronger product and may take some time getting used to, especially if you have sensitive skin. I have only been using this for two weeks now & am seeing a BIG difference in my skin. It has reduced my forehead lines & the fine lines under my eyes. It has also reduced my undereye puffiness.





This product also has very strong exfoliation properties so for the first week or so you will see alot of sloughing. I also experienced alot of purging. My skin hasn't acted like this since I was in my twenties.


Conclusion: Olay Pro-X is most definitely not a product you would expect to pick up off of a drugstore shelf. Based on results I have gotten compared to some of the more pricier creams, I would call this one a winner !

Undercover Agents

Benefit - Realness of Concealness

A great collection of nifty little products to help hide a multitude of sins, includes:

Boing - which will cover dark circles & everything else .

Lemonade - to correct color imperfections.

Ooh La Lift - to brighten and tighten the eye area.

Lip Plump - to smooth and plump lips.

Highbeam - to add glow. $32

Mendocino !

Cargo 'Mendocino' Blush !



My New Favorite !

I know I will be using this for as long as it remains available. I recently purchased this at a local Sephora. This is a beautiful rose pink with a hint of peach and just the right amount of gold flecks that add warmth to a cool shade. This shade Reminds me of a beautiful sunset !



Cargo was originally developed as TV makeup, so it is highly saturated and lasts all day. This can be dusted on lightly or applied more heavily for a more intense look. It's up to you... I am quickly discovering that this is one of Cargo's most popular items !


Blush Tips : Don't over do it ! With the more pigmented products that are available now, it doesn't take much to end up looking like Happy The Clown. Start slow and build up. The brush you use really does makes all the difference . A denser synthetic brush with shorter hairs will pick up more product and laydown more color. For a lighter look, use a natural haired brush with longer hairs.

Also, don't be afraid to blend more than one color. Instead of covering the entire cheek with one shade, I often use just a highlighter or a very light color all over my cheek first & then use a smaller brush to add a precisely placed 'pop' of color. Blend of course !