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20December   {Beauty Testing} Clientele Lavender Lift Oil-Control Powder


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Clientele Skincare, founded by award-winning scientist Dr. Pat Riley, was once available only through dermatologists' offices. Now, more than thirty years since the company launched its first product, the line is available to everyone through to everyone through thir website. Four FOFs put Clientele’s Lavender Lift Oil-Control Face Powder to the test. The company claims this oil-free, ultra-sheer powder will absorb excess oil, make pores visibly smaller and keep makeup fresh without a dry or cakey look. Did this powder perform? Read on...


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How long did you use this product?
Several weeks.

Please describe your experience with this product.
The clientele powder was heavier than my usual makeup, plus I had to wear my makeup just a bit heavier to cover up the paler shade of the clientele powder. The clientele powder smelled great but really didn't work for me.

{click here to read all the reviews!}


What could make this product better?
When I used the applicator sponge that came with the product, it went on too heavy for me. I then used an application brush and that was better.

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Were the directions given to you clear?
Yes.

Did the product meet or exceed your expectations?
It exceeded them.

Would you use this product again?
Yes!

Please describe your experience with this product.
Except for the messiness, I actually replaced the finishing powder I normally use from Bare Minerals with this product because it helps my makeup stay on longer and really delivered on the hydration promise.

What could make this product better?
There is no cover on top of the holes when you shake the product out so it’s quite messy. A lock/unlock/shake system, a la Bare Minerals products, would serve this product well.

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Were the directions given to you clear and understandable?
Yes.

Did the product meet or exceed your expectations?
It was about what I expected.

Please describe your experience with this product.
I used the product for several weeks in lieu of other face powders I normally use. It gave me a smooth finish, seemed to handle the oil, but I can’t say that it lasted any longer than many of the other products on the market. I think the lavender color made me look a little washed out and I found myself applying more bronzer and blush to compensate.

Would you use this product again?
I wouldn't buy this product. Not because I didn't like it, but because it didn't do anything special for me that would make me want to spend the money.

What could make this product better?
The thin little powder puff [applicator] seemed cheap. I would think either a nice puff or a brush, might make it seem more upscale.

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Please describe your experience with this product. Overall, my experience was excellent. The product kept my shine to a minimum and was absolutely weightless. I was waiting for the Virginia heat and humidity to arrive so I could report how the product worked under ‘steamy’ conditions, but we actually had a mild year.



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Leave a comment below to be entered for a chance to test Revitalash Advanced Eyelash Conditioner ($98). 6 women will receive this product to test.



By entering this contest you are agreeing to test and submit a written review of this product to FabOverFifty and send a photo of yourself to accompany the published story.

(See all our past winners. See official rules. Participants will be chosen at random from all those who leave a comment. Contest closes December 27, 2011.)
10November   {Health} Bringing the Dermatologist’s Office Home
Doctor’s-office cosmetic procedures, such as laser treatments, micro-dermabrasion and peels, are generally considered a luxury. Perfectly realistic for the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills--less so for the average FOF on a budget.

But recently, a number of products that employ medical-grade technology have been approved for home use, from “skin-renewing” lasers to “body-smoothing” eletromagnetic pads. These items aren’t cheap (the Palovia Skin Renewing Laser is $500 and the Brazilian Skin Peel is $78) but when compared to their in-office counterparts, they’re a steal.

The question is--do they work?

We looked at 6 new at-home anti-aging products that employ medical-grade technology and asked Dr. Joshua Zeichner, Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research Mount Sinai’s Department of Dermatology, whether their science made sense. Then we asked real FOFs who had tried the product to tell us what they thought. Check out the slideshow below to see them all.





BringDermHome1

The Palovia Skin Renewing Laser is “The first FDA-cleared, at-home laser clinically proven to reduce fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes,” according to their website. The laser works by emitting short pulses of micro-fine light that reach below the surface of the skin, stimulating new collagen and elastin production.





Dr. Zeichner: “This device is similar to a low-level fractionated resurfacing laser that we use in the office. In theory, it can stimulate collagen remodeling and improve the appearance of fine lines. This technology works, but because this is an at home device, it has a lower level of energy, so it takes more treatments.”





FOF Rose Gomes, 53, Arizona: “This product was very easy to use. There can be a slight sting to the treatment, but it is well worth the results. By the end of the third week I had less wrinkles around my eyes. By the end of thirty days my wrinkles are little to none and really are not that noticeable like before. I would definitely recommend this to other FOF’s! No more costly spa treatments!!!”





[Editor’s note - We sent the Palovia laser to four FOF members as part of our FOF Beauty Testing program. All four reviews were positive--you can read them all, here.]




BringDermHome2

Made by Advanced Home Actives, Brazilian Peel claims to be “The first medical-strength peel for at-home use. The four-week regimen is clinically proven to smooth, firm, and brighten skin, while reducing the appearance of fine lines and restoring the skin's ability to build collagen.”





Dr. Zeichner: “This is an alpha hydroxy peel. There are many at-home products with alpha hydroxy, but this one is 30 percent glycolic acid, a concentration high enough that you could get it in a doctor’s office. You just have to be careful not to use it more than the manufacturer recommends, and I would be wary if you have dry, irritated or sensitive skin.”





FOF Geri Brin, 64, New York (Founder of Faboverfifty): I tried this peel after the company sent samples over to our office. It’s very easy to use. You dispense it from what looks like a little syringe, and when you rub it between your hands, it gets warm--it feels like it’s working. After you apply it to your face, you’re supposed to take it off immediately if you feel any discomfort. I felt none. I immediately noticed a difference in the softness of my skin. It truly feels great. My skin is hardy and can handle anything--I wouldn’t recommend this to everyone unless I knew it wouldn’t irritate sensitive skin.




BringDermHome3

The BMR Lift Series is a body contouring device that uses EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) to contract and release your muscles, resulting in a lifted, smoother appearance for your tummy, upper arms and tush. The technology has been used in the medical field for over fifty years, but was just recently approved by the FDA for at-home cosmetic use.





[Faboverfifty is currently offering 20 FOFs the opportunity to test this product. Enter to for a chance to test it, here.]





FOF Lisa Schramm, 52, California:Around menopause, I noticed that my arms and waist appeared looser and flabbier, even though my weight hadn’t changed. I saw this product online and saw that it had a 30-day money-back policy, so I thought, ‘why not?’ I started using it on my arms and waist when I watched TV and to amplify my walking routine. After one use I felt tight and sore--like I’d done a workout. I’ve now used it for a year and I definitely see a difference. I wear tank tops now--I never would have done that before. My arms are lifted and tighter. I’ve recommended it to quite a few people. It’s great, but it won’t make you lose weight--you still have to eat well and exercise.”




BringDermHome4

According to the Baby Quasar website, this hand-held device uses “Sequepulse technology, with four wavelengths of red and infrared light, to penetrate and treat the surface of your skin and deep within your tissue. The light promotes collagen production, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and reduces pore size by firming, tightening and toning the skin.”





Dr. Zeichner: “Light within the red visible spectrum is known to be anti-inflammatory, and we use this type of light in some of our in-office procedures. Our devices have specific light filters that allow light at higher energy levels to penetrate into the skin for photorejuvenation. An at-home red-light device could help the skin in theory, but I would want to see clinical trials testing its efficacy.”





FOF Kathleen T, Florida: “I use the Baby Quasar MD, which is a bit more expensive ($795) and more powerful than the regular Baby Quasar. I’ve been using it for five weeks. The day after my first treatment, my skin looked less red and my pores were much smaller. (I have very big pores and oily skin.) Each time I use it, I notice that difference. After five weeks, my jawline looks a lot straighter and firmer--it was looking saggy. I also used it between my eyebrows, and my forehead is really smooth. I didn’t get the results right away, but now you can’t take it away from me--I love this thing.”




BringDermHome6

According to the website, this at-home microdermabrasion device “delivers results that are as effective as a professional treatment. Unlike most at-home devices that simply vibrate or oscillate, DDF Revolve 400X transmits more energy to the skin with up to 400 rotations per minute. The gentle, yet highly effective self-warming DDF Polishing Crystals and the soft Foam Exfoliator polish away surface imperfections to reveal radiant, healthy-looking skin.”





Dr. Zeichner: “Here, the user polishes the skin with crystals applied with an applicator.It can help remove dead skin cells, leave the skin softer and smoother, but it will likely not do much for fine lines and wrinkles. It also has the potential to be very irritating, especially in sensitive skin patients.”





FOF Gail Patricia Juliun, 59: “I got this about a year ago. My niece, who works in the beauty insdustry, said it was good. I use it in the shower 3 times a week, and when I get out and look in the mirror, all those little lines around the eyes and between the eyebrows appear to be less. Now, those lines don’t stay gone...you have to keep using it. And I wish the refill crystals were a little less expensive, but I like it. I used to get professional micro-dermabrasion every month, and since I started using this, I only get it every 4 to 5 months.”




BringDermHome7

According to BelleCore, their HoneyBelle and BabyBelle body buffers employ “a patented technology using random orbital oscillation” to reduce the appearance of cellulite. Put another way, the devices offer intense, deep tissue massage in order to “send constant, concentrated energy into treated areas” and “boost blood and lymphatic flow, stimulate collagen formation and stretch fibrous tissues to improve elasticity.”





Dr. Zeichner: “We don’t have a cure for cellulite yet, but the oscillation this machine provides improves blood flow to the skin and probably plumps the skin which reduces the appearance of dimpling. In theory, it could break up the fibrous bonds between the fat cells. I think we need more clinical trials to see how effective it is.”





FOF Bourque Simmons:“It hurt a little when I first used this product, but I think that’s because I was pressing too hard. Over time, my skin did feel softer and my cellulite has diminished slightly. I will keep using it, because it makes my legs feel good after long walks and work outs.

I don't know for sure if I would as a cellulite minimizer, but as a leg massager, I would.”



08November   {Product Testing} Dermelect 3-Step System




There's plenty of controversy surrounding the use of human stem cells; now claims have surfaced that plant stem cells can make human skin look more youthful. To whit, a slew of new products made with plant-cell extracts hit the market of late, including Eclos cleansers and creams, Lancôme 'Définicils Precious Cells' Mascara and Dr. Brandt Pores No More Anti-Aging Mattifying Lotion. We took a look at  Dermelect’s 3-Step Stem Cell System (retail value: $193.00), made from Alpine Rose stem cell extracts. The Swiss Alpine Rose is a wonder-flower that resists oxidation, thrives at mile-high altitude and extreme temperatures, and can have a lifespan of up to 100 years. According to Dermelect marketing materials, the flower's stem cells can “stimulate skin’s protein production and boost facial skin stem-cell activity.” They go on to say, “A 17-day study showed that Alpine Rose stem cells reduced the appearance of wrinkles by 45% and complexions were 54% more radiant.”  Sounds promising, natural, revolutionary...But what did our real FOF testers think? Find out, below, and then comment to test out our next product!



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We’re the directions given to you clear and understandable?
Perfectly [understandable].

How quickly did you see results?
After 10 days [using the product], I stopped wearing foundation completely. My skin looked so good, I really didn't need it.

Did the product meet or exceed your expectations?
My expectations for beauty products are pretty low. It is rare, in my experience, to find a product that actually does what it purports. This one did.

{click here to read all the reviews!}


What could make this product better?
If they could be combined into one product, it would be a plus. I am fond of streamlining and efficiency.

Please describe your experience with this product:
I received these three products on a day I really needed a boost. I began using them faithfully and quite enthusiastically. Due to the price point, I did not want to like any of these.

However, these products made my skin look and feel better--soft, creamy, even....and I had very good skin to begin with. Although I prefer an all-in-one product, these were delightful, they smell lovely and are a pleasure to use. There was more than enough product in each container to last for two months.

Would you use this product again?
Absolutely. Will I buy them [for myself]? I am undecided. I plan to switch back to my former skincare method for a while in order to really test the difference. [Until then,] I do recommend these products. THANK YOU FOF for allowing me to test-drive these!

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Were the directions clear and understandable?
Yes, they were clear. The directions say to spray the ‘Step 3’ product on my face which I didn’t particularly like. The directions didn’t indicate if instead, I could just spray it into my hands and then, press it on my face. This might need to be clarified.

How quickly did you see results?
I saw results within 2-3 weeks. My face looked fresher, more moisturized and had a "dewy" finish, Before, it was dry and dehydrated. People commented on how nice my skin looked and asked me what I was using! They said they couldn't believe my age.

Did the product meet or exceed your expectations?
I am always a little skeptical of new products but these Dermelect products are the real thing! My aging skin both felt AND looked better...fresher, more youthful, more moisturized and my foundation looked better after using the products. I even went out in public without makeup, which is pretty unusual for me!

Would you use this product again?
Yes, definitely.

What could make this product better?
Again, I didn't like spraying my face and getting the product in my eyes and on my lips. I’d also imagine the price will be difficult for many people given the economy.

Please describe your experience with this product:
The serum and cream were my favorites and they made my skin feel instantly better! The scent, packaging and feel of the products were as good as any of the very high-end products I have used!

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We’re the directions given to you clear and understandable?
Yes.

How quickly did you see results?
I did not see any results.

Did the product meet or exceed your expectations?
No.

Would you use this product again?
No, I would not use them again.

What could make this product better?
If the products actually did what they are supposed to do.

Please describe your experience with this product:
My experience with these products was okay. My skin was a little red and irritated for the first two weeks after using them. Living in Colorado, I need moisture. These products really dried out my skin.

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Leave a comment below to be entered for a chance to test  SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic Product Testing. Contest closes November 17, 2011.


By entering this contest you are agreeing to test and submit a written review of this product to FabOverFifty and send a photo of yourself to accompany the published story.


(See all our past winners. See official rules. Participants will be chosen at random from all those commenters who answer the question.)
27July   {Poll} Bizarre Celeb Beauty Rituals: Would you try them?
*Sigh* the things FOFs do for beauty! And these 5 FOF celebs take it to a whole new level... Read about their bizarre beauty rituals, see what a dermatologist thinks, then vote: Would you try it?


Call it vinotherapy. Actually, that's what top resorts in Spain, Portugal and France are already calling pricey beauty treatments where wine residue is rubbed into the skin. In The Black Book of Hollywood Beauty Secrets,  Kym Douglas and celebrity journalist Cindy Pearlman write that Teri Hatcher uses sediment from red wine to polish her skin in the tub. "I scoop them up and use them as an exfoliant," says Teri. "The only bad thing is you can't drink the whole bottle of wine." According to the authors, polyphenols found in grapes get blood flowing.

Dr. Krant says: "Scrubbing and massaging get blood flowing on their own, so it's not clear if she is getting the benefit she expects from the red wine itself. Proanthocyanidins from red grapes have been shown to have real health benefits from their antioxidant properties when ingested, but the anti-aging effect from topical use has much less scientific evidence behind it."




Red wine bath...Would you try it?




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Milk does a body good...but what about a face?  Cindy Crawford thinks so. The Daily Record reports that the almost-FOF supermodel mixes milk and water and sprays in on her face to keep her skin hydrated. Milk baths have apparently been around for centuries; historical beauties including Cleopatra and Elizabeth I of England indulged in the lactic luxury. Everybody's mooin..er..doin' it.


Dr. Krant says: "Milk contains lactic acid which does contain some exfoliative and skin-softening properties. Milk fats also help moisturize and keep skin supple."





Milk face mist...Would you try it?




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Ever wonder how some celebs get that "baby-faced" complexion? Just ask FOF diva Madonna, who reportedly uses a face cream made with human placenta. The product is called EMK Placental, and according to BeautyUndercover.com, Madonna and a slew of other A-listers are using it. Placenta "helps oxygenate your skin...improve natural cellular renewal and... protects your skin from the assault of environmental stress, UV radiation...and the natural aging process," according to the EMK Placental product website.

Dr. Krant says: "Placenta contains many growth factors and vitamins. It has been studied for wounds, but there has been little to no scientific proof of its affect on intact, healthy human skin."




Placenta face cream...Would you try it?




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Almost-FOF actress Sandra Bullock has become the butt of tabloid jokes for her bizarre beauty ritual. Glamour UK reports that Sandra uses hemorrhoid cream under her eyes to reduce puffiness. "I didn't realise that putting hemorrhoid ointment on your face is acceptable in the beauty business," says Sandra. "But apparently, butt cream helps lines around the eyes!" Sandra says it's true....so, no butts about it.

Dr. Krant says: Preparation H from the 1950's did contain an ingredient, Bio-Dyne (R), that helped de-puff, but that ingredient has been removed from the modern version of the cream--in the United States. Bio-Dyne does still come in the Canadian preparation. So it's not just any hemorrhoid cream that can do the trick. Makes you wonder which one Sandra is using....




Hemorrhoid Cream...Would you try it?




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Debra Messing doesn't throw a hissy fit about her eye wrinkles... No, she just uses snake venom to smooth them out. That's right, this almost-FOF actress uses an eye cream which contains snake's venom as an active ingredient, according to The Sun, "The venom slows the reponses of the face muscles, creating a wrinkle-free effect."

Dr. Krant says: "Venom has not been proven to penetrate through healthy, intact skin to the deep layers where the target muscles lie. This product likely has no scientific benefit (in the manner claimed) at all. In order to get the muscle-weakening benefit, the only proven treatment is still injected botulinum toxins (Botox) and Dysport, and a new one coming out soon. Sorry, needle-phobes."




Snake venom eye cream...Would you try it?




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Talk about a detox. MSNBC reports that actress Demi Moore uses "highly-trained medical leeches" to keep healthy. “It detoxifies your blood,” she told Letterman.  Demi explains that these blood sucking vermin, “have a little enzyme that gets released into your blood... and your health is optimized." Um, okay... “I feel like I’ve always been someone looking for the cutting edge of things that optimize your health and healing," she says. Despite Demi's loyalty to leeches, we predict this beauty trend will be sluggish to catch on...

Dr. Krant says: "Leeches have been used for centuries in medical treatments. Hirudo medicinalis, or medicinal leeches, likely the 'highly-trained' species Demi is referring to, are used effectively by surgeons to aid in wound cleaning, reconstructive surgery and other advanced treatments, but currently there is no proof that leech therapy has any anti-aging properties. Do not try this at home since uncontrollable, prolonged bleeding and infection can be undesired side effects."




Leeches for detox...Would you try it?




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Dr. Jessica J. Krant is a dermatologist based in New York and the founder of Art of Dermatology, LLC. She is also Assistant Clinical Professor of dermatology at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in New York City.

Images via Zimbio

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