The Science of Beautiful Skin

Traveling is always exciting, especially for me, as I am a travel junkie! But not today, as my flight to Paris, my beloved home is delayed for 4 hours, well at least it leave me time to write you!

It may be the most glamourous destination in the world   but loses some sparkle when travelling there in economy.  A few times in the past I was fortunate enough to fly 1^st class and trust me it is hard to go back! But right now, me and my economy seat have to stay fresh and glamourous for over 7 hours in the air which is always a challenge! Long waits at the airport, dry airplane air, lack of leg room, deprivation of sleep, eating poor quality of food… where should I start? But, luckily I have many travel tricks up my sleeve!  So, to start with the basics: I board the plane with my high heels, jeans, and nice cotton top. I apply very light and hydrating make-up such as  some dermaglow tinted moisturizer, mascara and a brighter lipstick, so I still look put together.  I also always go to the hairdresser (or wash my hair) on the same day of my travel (otherwise your hair will look terrible at arrival). Then, I carry a supersized handbag full my favourite travel items: magazine/book, ipod, a comfy pair of travel socks, some Kleenex, a lavender infused eye-mask, a cashmere wrap and my beauty survival kit.

If like me, you were born before the 1980’s you must remember how we used to travel with our huge beauty vanity case!  Post 2001, I was devastated when they changed the new cosmetics boarding restrictions in airports! Now that seems like a century ago, I mean: was I crazy? What was the point in travelling with all those heavy products anyway?!

In 2010 travel sizes should become your new best friend! Don’t forget to pack a travel-size toothbrush/toothpaste, antibacterial hand sanitizer, sample of moisturizing cream, mini tonic or water spray, lip balm, deodorant wipe, make-up remover (preferably a non-rinse one), mascara and concealer. I also always carry a roll-on of travel essential oils to help stimulate my sense, or relax my mind when need be. Once on board, follow your beauty routine after they serve diner and before landing, exactly like if you were home!

Et voila! I will let you know how I felt once I get there. Bisous

Before I leave for Paris later today, my mission is to approve the latest sample of our new products. Hush hush…Here is new colors for  Lip Gloss Plumper: A luminescent Pearl and a stunning Scarlet red. The rumor has it that red will be this fall essential!!

Arghhhhhhhh Girls! We really do not know what ‘we’ want!!!!!!!! Do not roll your eyes, it is so true…I just finished to develop an amazing new face cream for dermaglow to restructure jaw line and improve firmness in the most mature skin (but Shhhhhhh I am not supposed to spread the news yet) It was a fun project because technically you can add a lot of exciting ingredients in this kind of formula. But my torments all started after a conversation with my chemist, he asked me how green I wanted the formula (you see we are trying!) And my reply was “as green as you can! No Peg’s, no parabens, remove it all!!”

When, I got the finalized samples back, I conducted a customer trial and it returned negative for the natural version and positive for the chemical one. I raised my eyebrows…

Last week, the book ‘No More Dirty Looks’ was released by two young American beauty rebels. I just loved it! My generation seems to love embracing the idea of the ‘green attitude’. How many of my girl friends told me “I fed up!!!!!! I want to leave my stressful job, to go live in the country side to do my own jams” off course, none of them actually did! Our green hero might be Stella McCartney or Nathalie Portman, but most of us are no celebrities to follow a drastic and costly green lifestyle. I believe a green lifestyle is fabulous and very rewarding but it is also a real daily challenge.

It is easy to blame the beauty industry, but most of the customer don’t like natural product. I see thousands of products a year, I read tests results everyday and I can tell you that that it is very rare that a natural product surpasses a chemical one in customers trials. And that is very unfortunate.

It is totally possible to formulate better cosmetic product, but it will always be different, and it is a fact! Natural ingredients have thicker, smellier texture, product penetration is harder, application is not as smooth, colors are not appealing, and results are not so fantastic.  Also, the real challenge is that each country set up different laws and nothing is properly regulated.

Fortunately, I also believe that we can switch a lot of our products for natural one, yes! it is possible! I started with my body soap and now I am really trying to avoid antiperspirant unless I have too. Shampoos are living a revolution right now, so I am looking forward new release soon. Finally, you can find a lot of cream with very good formulation, I was very happy to have the opportunity to work with Heiko, our natural cosmetic line. It is 100% Canadian and I am proud to say: 100% safe.  Heiko products are really worth trying. I am addicted to the toner lotion that contains only plants extracts such as Chamomile, Green tea, Oat, Lavender. I also have been using the face “Age Defense” a daily moisturizer with a SPF 15, containing 7% Zinc Oxide, lavender, Olive and sunflower oil, it is not too white and it will protect you for UVA and UVB.

Why don’t you tell me what product you have managed to switch yourself!? Bisous. Solen.

Okay, do not search for an exclusive on Gerard Butler, this video post might hurt a little but information is your right. This amazing animation was made by http://www.safecosmetics.org/ who does a great job to raise consumers awareness about the cosmetic business.

I can tell you that all scientists, manufacturers, formulators and product developers are aware that changes need to happen. And with our love for beauty, I am confidante that one day it will! (I agree though, sooner the better!)

My bridal shower was on Saturday. We typically don’t do Showers in France and I discovered how much fun it was. My favorite part (apart from opening gifts!) was when my in-laws organized a ‘bridal project runway’. I was amazed to see how creative we can get with toilet paper!  It was very sunny so we were both inside and outside, I made sure to spray everybody with “THE” SPF 70 body mist sunscreen from dermaglow! I was not going to lose my beauty focus even on my shower day! No kidding, getting sunburned before the big day will be a total tragedy. So to all summer brides, if there was only 1 beauty tip for your wedding, I would suggest that you stay away from wearing straps tops to avoid uneven suntan and apply sunscreen regularly. OR avoid sun totally and apply a self tanner… We have a great one that just got released: the ‘Sunless tanner’ by dermaglow, it smells like delicious exotic fruits and will give you a natural tan without streaking.

For those who wonder: Did I get my juicer? Well, let’s say I have enough gift vouchers now to go buy it myself! Yeahhhhhh.. I will be back to you with my first healthy creation!