Beauty Secrets-Exposed

Photos courtesy of Thinkstock Photos

Sometimes the best beauty-secrets are kept and passed on from generation to generation, so if you want to maintain your natural beauty without too much costs, take a peek at the following beauty tips and tricks!
Women have always tried their best to maintain their natural beauty, so no wonder-that beauty secrets are usually well kept. Along time, a great-number of alternatives to surgery have been developed enabling women to look amazing without drilling a hole in their budget. Some of celebrities' most guarded beauty secrets have been exposed just so you can look and feel fabulous every single minute. Take a peek at these secrets and give-them a try. 


Beauty is indeed-influenced by good genes, but if you're not caring for your skin and heath properly, the negative results brought by external factors will eventually show. The solution to looking gorgeous isn't always found at the nearest plastic surgery office, so make sure you explore alternatives before deciding to go under the knife. To make things easier, check out the following beauty secrets and give them a try so you can radiate beauty every second without-trying to hard:

• White-eyeliner is definitely a great invention for women who need to illuminate their look, as a touch of white in the right place can do wonders. Make your eyes look bigger and create a more alert look by applying a white eyeliner (pencil) on the waterline of the lower lash line.

Celebs usually turn towards the help of white eyeliner for different events, so give this look a try, but don't apply the eyeliner heavily as thus you'll end-up with a fake, unpleasant-effect.

• Ever-wondered why celebrities don't mind spending hundreds, even thousands of dollars on high quality silk bed-sets? The reason is that silk or satin can do wonders for your skin and hair, adding a shine and radiance to them in addition to helping to prevent wrinkles. The smooth, soft texture of these fabrics allows the skin to glide on the fabric, so you won't wake-up with those funny sleep lines that can aid early wrinkle-development.

• Don't know-how to keep your red locks super rich and lustrous? Well, if you're not willing to spend money on expensive salon hair color enhancers, you can turn your attention towards cranberry juice. Rinse your locks with this delicious juice and finally rinse with cold water. The juice will help give your locks a boost in shine as well as help maintain the rich-color of your hair.

• Love-plump lips, but you're not too keen on getting them injected with collagen or hyaluronic acid? If so, turn your attention towards a more natural, non-invasive treatment: peppermint extract. The cool effect of peppermint will make your lips naturally plumper as the blood vessels dilate. Apply the peppermint extract on your lips as a lipgloss using your fingers or a cotton swab and your lips will look luscious and-plumper.

• Want that amazing-Hollywood smile, but without the costs? Well, nature provides us with everything we need to look great and strawberries are the fruits that you can turn-towards to whiten your teeth. Strange? Definitely, but apparently they work. Mix a few strawberries with baking soda (you can also use them alone) and brush your teeth a couple of time a day. The mixture will remove the stains from your teeth, leaving them looking-fabulous.

• Olive oil can do wonders-for your skin as it is rich in nutrients, so if you want to make your skin super soft, apply a few drops or olive oil on a cotton pad and wipe your skin. Olive oil can also be used as a great makeup remover, being able to get rid of waterproof makeup as well, just make sure not to get it into your eyes. Rinse the skin-after and the results will be surprising.

Pay attention to details as they can really make a difference, so give these tips a try and see which ones satisfy your-needs completely!

Genealogy-An American in Paris

Since- its creation in June 2008, New York-based creator and manufacturer of skin care and make-up formulations Genealogy has been enjoying an exponential growth. This year, the company -should achieve a turnover of about 8 million euros, representing an increase of more than 30 % compared to 2010. Main reasons to this success, innovation- and an appropriate anticipation of brands expectations. Among the company’s objectives, Europe… And to start with, the next MakeUp in Paris trade show. Explanations from- Brian J. Fox-Krawczyk, Genealogy’s founder and- CEO.

Brian J. Fox-Krawczyk, Genealogy’s founder and CEO

Premium Beauty News - What is your secret recipe?

Brian J. Fox-Krawczyk - No secrets, believe me! We just have at heart to offer evolved comprehensive and individualized formulas. It is true that we treat each of these developments like if the product in question was unique. Genealogy -addresses the needs of any -brand or retailer that strives for futuristically poignant and thoughtful product concepts.

As true product innovation gurus, we’re always keeping our eye on the future. We are often inspired by exotic raw materials. We pay of course a lot of attention to emerging trends that result in creative product design.

We develop usually- three collections a year, thus showcasing our expertise in creative formulations, through new to market raw materials- and colour trends.

Premium Beauty News - But this does not only concern make-up.

Brian J. Fox-Krawczyk - No, of course not! Skin Care represents half of our activity and within the make-up business, foundation accounts for nearly 75%.

Our lab is equipped all kinds of personal care and- colour products including hot pours, powders, and emulsions. Our expertise encompasses OTC and Ecocert- formulas.

Genealogy formulas comply with the needs of global brands. We apply strict disciplines in product specification and stability testing. We oversee all phases of the manufacturing process in compliance with regulatory procedures and industry guidelines.

Almost every formula in our library is represented by a physical sample, enabling clients to experience Genealogy- formulas and use them as a reference point for their own development.

Premium Beauty News - You do not work alone of course?

Brian J. Fox-Krawczyk - We have several proven, experienced, service orientated strategic partners.

Among them are: Bell Flavors and -Fragrances, EMD Chemicals/Rona Cosmetic Pigment, Gattefossé USA, Grant Industrie, Barnet, Kobo Products, Inc, Kinetik Technologies, Innoscience/Infinite, World Wide Packaging, Geka, Topline, Tagra, Intarome Fragrance and Flavor Corporation, Lipo Chemicals, Cognis, Sabinsa Corporation, Alban Muller International, Seidel GmbH and Co., Sensient Cosmetic Technologies.

Premium Beauty News - Can you name a few examples among your recent developments?

Brian J. Fox-Krawczyk - As per the skin care side, there are the Pro-Longevity anti-ageing formulas, and the Enviroshield formulas, for irritated and sensitive skins. We have also develop Bioluminescence formulas to -eradicate dull skin.

We also have UV Protection Plus formulas to guard the skin against the harmful effects of sun.

We also have developed Ingestible Beauty formulas with self dissolving ingestible strips, fizzing ingestible drink supplements, water infused treatments.

To note also Eco-Glam formulas to satisfy all kinds of ethical marketing from PETA approved to Ecocert -certified products.

Also I’d like to mention our Color Hybrid formulas (foundations, powders, blushers, bronzers, highlighters, eye shadows, lip sticks and glosses) that offer market targeted, and trended colours.

Premium Beauty News - You work on all type of product shapes?

Brian J. Fox-Krawczyk - Absolutely! Whether in a liquid or emulsion form, or even in the form of powders. We also propose fragrances.

Premium Beauty News - A word on your "Proof of Quality Seals"

Brian J. Fox-Krawczyk - The beauty business has changed radically in the last 10 years and Genealogy is consistently working to progress to meet -these needs. We also believe it is worthless to fight against -the beauty trendsetters and the public opinion using business -practices and ingredients that don’t meet their “cultural” demands.

Thus we -created our Proof of Quality Seals to mark our commitment regarding our formulations, our clients’ products and the concerns -of their consumers. It is all about being -creative and saying yes to a challenge, instead of no.

The key principles are the following:

 Purity: We believe in using ingredients that are safe and effective for people and the environment.
 Sustainability: We believe in respecting the gifts from Mother Nature in our formulas and in packaging.
 Proof in principle: We believe in clinically proving our marketing claims.
 "Aesthetically field tested": We believe the best- way to test a product is with the most knowledgeable consumer.
 USA made: We believe in investing in the future of our country.
 PETA approved: We believe no living- creature should be harmed for the sake of beauty.
 Ecocert: We believe that organic can be elegant.

Premium Beauty News - How else do you support your clients?

Brian J. Fox-Krawczyk - Actually in a number of different ways: raw material sourcing, library for formula creation, exclusive turnkey packaging concepts. But also market studies et trend forecasts, socio-demographic reports and technical analyses.

Premium Beauty News - And industrially speaking, how and with whom do you work?

Brian J. Fox-Krawczyk - Within our business model, Genealogy can hand pick the appropriate bulk manufacturing and P.O. filling house for each client project. We all know that each contract filler has its own core competencies in manufacturing.

We formulate all of our client’s products at our own laboratory, thus owning the formulas, insuring quality raw materials are used in them and keeping our clients out of lengthy R & D queues at -conventional fillers. This process also insures formula exclusivities for designated periods of time for our clients.

They then travel to the contract -filler that we have selected, to scale up the production- and to insure the compliance to all our quality requirements.

Our strategic bulk manufacturing and filling partners are Nuworld Beauty, Bradford Soap Works Inc. et -Innoteq Inc.

Interview by Jean-Yves Bourgeois

Five Surprizing Skin Mistakes That Can Age You

 

Following misconceptions about sun damage, anti-aging creams can sap your youthful luster 

By Genevieve James

What you don't know[] or think you do know [] about your skin can sap its youthful luster. One particularly dangerous misconception: After a certain point, the damage is done [] and can't be erased. In reality, there are lots of simple, effective ways to minimize fine lines, erase brown spots, and firm up sagging skin. "If you stick to just a few basics, your skin can look younger longer than you thought possible," says Dennis Gross, MD, a dermatologist in New York City and founder of the Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare line. Here, experts separate fact from fiction and reveal the best ways to keep years off your face.

Myth: Skin should feel tight after washing
Truth: If your skin doesn't feel fresh and supple, you're probably washing with a cleanser that's too harsh. Daily cleansing banishes blemish-causing bacteria and removes []radiance robbers such as makeup, oil, and dead cells. However, harsh detergents and overwashing can increase the appearance of fine lines and can often trigger breakouts, too, as oil production kicks into overdrive to compensate for a lack of moisture. Switch to a creamy cleanser with hydrators such as glycerin as well as mild surfactants like sodium or disodium cocoyl glutamate or cocamidopropyl PG-dimonium chloride phosphate (CPG), which are derived from coconut oil. "They all wash away makeup but []restore moisture too," says Marianna Blyumin-Karasik, MD, a clinical instructor of dermatology at the University of Miami. Try Avalon Organics Lavender Renewal Facial Cleansing Gel ($12; drugstores) and Origins Never A Dull Moment Skin-Brightening Cleanser ($18.50; origins.com).

Myth: Drugstore products aren't as good
Truth: "Regardless of where they're sold, most anti-aging lines contain the same ingredients," says David Bank, MD, a dermatologist in Mount Kisco, NY. These include scientifically proven anti-agers such as retinoids, alpha hydroxy acids, peptides, and antioxidants (like vitamin C and green tea). To get the most bang for your buck, look for packaging designed to maintain a product's freshness and potency. For example, an airless pump keeps oxygen (and your fingers!) out of a cream, while an opaque coating around a bottle blocks sunlight. Another tip to boost effectiveness: Check the ingredient label to be sure the rejuvenators you want are listed high up — ideally, within the top 10. 

Myth: Anti-agers make skin look worse than before
Truth: Topical creams won't leave skin as red and blotchy as either of the big anti-aging guns — lasers or chemical peels. But key rejuvenators like retinoids, which speed cell turnover and stimulate collagen production, can be so irritating you may just want to give up. Don't!

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These simple tricks will keep you from hoisting the white flag: First-timers should prep skin for 2 weeks with an antioxidant like green tea. Try June Jacobs Advanced Cell Repair Serum ($78; junejacobs.com). And consider opting for a milder OTC retinol instead of a stronger Rx version. Try Vichy Liftactiv Retinol Ha Night ($42; drugstores). Mix a pea-size amount of retinol with your face cream to help offset dryness, and apply it every second or third night. Skin still too dry? Build up tolerance for a few weeks by putting the cream on for 5 minutes every other night and then rinsing it off. As skin becomes acclimated, work up to full nightly applications. 

Myth: After age 40, sunscreen is pointless
Truth: By now, your skin has seen only about half its lifetime sun exposure. So don't put away the SPF there's still plenty of time to ward off sun-induced aging. Bonus: Protecting your skin on a daily basis allows it to repair itself from past assaults. Surprisingly, most of the damage isn't from baking on the beach [] it's the result of cumulative, incidental UV exposure from, say, a quick drive to the supermarket or a midday walk. Besides damaging skin directly, "UV rays trigger free radicals, destructive molecules that act like little darts, poking holes in skin's support structure that lead to lines and sagging," says Gross. The protection in a daily lotion with built-in sunscreen might not be enough, though. Even when the SPF is 30 or above, these formulas often lack adequate coverage against UVA rays, the main culprit behind skin aging. To fully safeguard your skin, wear a separate sunscreen over your face cream or choose a moisturizer with avobenzone, Mexoryl, or zinc oxide, the best UVA blockers. Two sunscreens that contain potent UVA protection and antioxidants: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid Sunblock Fluid SPF 55 ($12; drugstores) and La Roche-Posay Anthelios 45 Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid ($34; CVS). 

Myth: If a product doesn't work quickly, move on
Truth: It's crucial to stick to a regimen long enough to see what works for your skin and what doesn't. "I suggest waiting 8 to 10 weeks before you abandon a product and try the next thing," says Mark G. Rubin, MD, an assistant professor of dermatology at the University of California, San Diego, and author of "Your Skin, Younger." And keep in mind that not everyone's skin will respond the same way to an anti-ager. "Most active ingredients do work on everyone []just to varying degrees," he says.