Melanoma Awareness Month - Tips To Detect and Prevent

In addition to May being my birthday month and national wedding shopping month, it is also Melanoma Awareness Month.  This is the best time of the year to get into some great sun protection routines since we are going right into Memorial Day weekend and then into the next three months of sun and beaches.  I have received some general facts on melanoma and tips of the preventation and early detection of this cancer.

"While the incidence of common cancers is falling, the incidence of melanoma continues to rise at a rate faster than any of the seven most common cancers.  In fact, 1 in 55 people will be diagnosed with melanoma during their lifetime.  However, the survival rate for patients whose melanoma is detected early with an incredible 99%."  Dr. Brandt goes on to state that, "Early detection is crucial when it comes to melanoma.  Prevention is best, but being proactive about self-examination and dermatologist visits can literally be the difference between life and death."  Knowing these somber facts, we all want to start good sun habits this month and continue all summer and well past Labor Day.

Here are some tips from Dr. Brant about how to inspect for melanoma...

- Throughly inspect every inch of skin, using mirrors to help you get a clear view of tough-to-see places.
- Don't overlook areas like lips, between fingers and toes, under nails, palms and soles of feet - these spots can be just as susceptible.
- Use a blow dryer to throughly inspect your scalp - skin that gets a lot of sun and can be tough to protect.
- Women should be sure to lift breasts to inspect the underside - you can still get melanoma on areas the sun doesn't reach.
- Ask someone close to you to help you with your cheek - the more eyes, the better.
- Be sure to use the "ABCD" guide to assess freckles and moles: Be on the lookout for Asymmetry, uneven Borders, uneven Color, or large Diameters.
- If you're concerned about discoloration or growth, don't hestitate to see your dermalogist!  It could be one of the best of the best decisions of your life.
- Finally, preventation is the best cure - be sure to wear sunscreen everyday, rain or shine.  Brandt's UV SPF 30 High Protection Face Sunscreen provides superior protection against UVA/UVB rays while decreasing pigmentation caused by UV exposure to prevent photo-aging.

UV SPF 30 High Protection Face - Formulated to provide advanced broad spectrum UVA (PA+++) protection against UVB rays (SPF 30).  Dr. Brandt advanced sun care helps decrease pigmentation induced by UV exposure; preventing photo-aging.  Designed with dry-touch technology to absorb quickly, leaving the skin smooth and soft with a shine-free finish.  Hypoallergenic and fragrance-free. Water resistant for up to 80 minutes."

This sunscreen is meets my qualifications for being 30 or over and absorbing quickly and easily.  I received a sample of this product from a PR company and I am very impressed with it so far.  It applies easily and absorbs quickly without feeling sticky to the touch.  It is easy for me to use foundation over this product without any caking.  It doesn't dry my skin out and hasn't irritated it at all so far.  This product also comes in a tinted version too that can be used in place of foundation for light coverage. 

I am hoping that I have touched at least one person with this detection and prevention tips.  I really recommend that you do a full self check and then head out to buy a good sunscreen before the upcoming holiday weekend.  Even though it wasn't mentioned as one of Dr. Brandt's tips, I still believe that one of tje easiest ways to not being tempted by the allure of the sun is to have a bottle tan.  Being a light-skinned, light-eye Irish lassie, I couldn't live without sunless tanner every summer.  I can be fine with my pale skin all fall and winter and even cherish my porcelain complexion.  But as soon as the warm weather hits, I get very self-consious about being in a bikini and even a sundress in general.  Being tan already allows me to not be interested in getting any type of tan from the sun.

photo courtesy of Dr. Brandt

O.P.I. Summer 2011 Collection - Pirates of the Caribbean

The newest installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean movie comes out the 20th of this month and the hype is already beginning to build.  Back in college, I spent most of my time outside the classroom being in love with Orlando Bloom and the Pirates movies just fed my love.  I still admire Orlando Bloom but I do have to say that my long term love is Captain Jack Sparrow and the one of a kind Johnny Depp.  And now Captain Jack is back and it is time for me to go to movies with the rest of the Pirates fans!

In conjunction with the movie release, O.P.I. has released a new color collection to bring in both the summer season and the summer blockbuster season.  I wonder how many girls will be wearing one of these shades to the movie.  This collection consists of six pastel shades and one of the shatter top coats that became so popular with the release of the Katy Perry collection earlier this year (or very end of last year, the date is slightly fuzzy at the moment).  I have a feeling that we are going to see many more of the shatter-type top coats other the next seasons, both from O.P.I. and many other beauty product companies.  The shatter isn't exactly appropriate for work but it really makes a statement when going out at night.

The shades range from the typical pastels to a more extreme aqua and shimmery gray.  On first sight, I like all of them and I will a hard time trying to pick just two or three.  The first shade is named Mermaid's Tears and is a pale aqua shimmer.  This is one of my two favorite shades of the collection.  This is one is very unique and we all know how much I love my blues and aquas.  The second shade of the collection is another one that I find very attractive.  This one is named Stranger Tides, a shimmery gray that almost has a taupe cast to it.  This one is a warmer gray but I can't consider it to be a taupe shade, this is a bit on the hard side to describe.  On my first glance, I don't consider this one work appropriate but depending how much taupe is in it, it might be wearable it is more on the sheer side.

The next new shade in this collection is Planks A Lot, my other favorite of the collection.  This one is a lilac shimmer and I will wear this one all the time.  I would pair this shade as a manicure with either Lippmann's Wicked Game or Purple Rain as a pedicure.  This one is a must buy for me because I have been wearing purples and lilacs all spring and will continue through the summer.  And the fall (to be realistic).  The fourth shade is the last one that seems to have a specific color, the last two seem to be much less pigmented.  This shade is named Sparrow Me The Drama, a pale pink rose that also has a shimmer finish.  This one is quite pretty but I don't know how much wear I would get from this shade so I don't think that I would be buying this one.

The last two shades appear to be pales and I think they will appear more on the sheer side (unless built up with multiple coats).  The first of the sheers is named Steady As She Rose, a pale pink.  This one seems as though it will appear as a sheer pink shimmer on the nail and won't give much pigment.  The second sheer is named Skull & Glossbones, a sheer through taupe.  I'm not really interested in these two shades since I prefer pales with no shimmer when I want a pale nail. 

The shatter shade is named Silver Shatter, a silver shimmer that creates the cracked pattern on the nails.  Personally, I would prefer the black shatter with all the pastels in this collection.  The silver is on the metallic side and I think that it might not be enough contrast against the other shades in this collection.  That being said, I will be skipping out on the shatter shade and trying out the black with these instead.  My two favorite shades from the collection are Plank A Lot and Mermaid's Tear and I will get tons of wear from both of the shades.  I also like the Stranger Tides shade but I need to see this one in person since the picture on the O.P.I. website doesn't really answer the question of how much silver vs. taupe is in it.

I wonder how many girls will be wearing one of these shades to the movie this summer.  Personally, I think that I would be doing the Mermaid's Tears look for the movie.  It is now time to continue my obsession with Captain Jack Sparrow...

photo courtesy of OPI

Dior Summer 2011 Collection - Electric Tropics

Dior's summer look is straight from the runways, their look consists of bronzes on the face and little touches of bright orange as accents.  Bright orange is not a favorite of mine, so I have to rule some of this collection on first sight of the model but the neutral eyes that she is wearing look as though they could be a winner for me.  This reminds me of Monaco and trendy Europeans vacationing at fabulous resorts.  I am so jealous that I don't live anywhere near white sand beaches or crystal blue oceans.  The Jersey shore just doesn't quite cut it...

"Dior's summer look collection draws inspiration from the fresh and radiant nudes on Dior's runways.  Neutral eyes, glossy lips, a lightly bronzed complexion, and a pop of color on the fingers & toes create this must-have look for summer."  I am hoping that this collection will yield a new find on the bronzer front since I haven't really used Dior's makeup for any type of face product.  I am also hoping for a new find in the neutral eye makeup look. 

So let's see this new collection and if I can find some new bronzers for the summer...

Healthy Glow Summer Fluid - Healthy Glow Summer Fluid recreates the illusion of a sun-kissed complexion with a soft golden glow.  This light-textured fluid transforms into a powder and offers a light velvety finish for a soft, natural look.  The Summer Fluid can be used on its own or together with the Summer Powder and comes in two tailor-made shades: Rosy Nude and Honey Nude.
- Rosy Nude - for cool toned complexions
- Honey Nude - for warm toned complexions

Healthy Glow Powder - This season's collector's item is a lightweight powder that reproduces the natural summer glow of healthy and radiant sun-kissed skin.  Woven like the Lady Dior Avenue clutch, it flatters the complexion with natural-looking summer radiance.  Each harmony mixes four shades that individually capture a facet of light to reproduce the "healthy glow" of skin caressed by summer.  Available in 2 harmonies.
- Aurora - suitable for all skin tones

5 Couleurs Eye Shadow - Dior's best-selling eye palette offers endless possiblities in a seductive range of rich, versatile colors designed for easy application and long wear.  Beauty tip: use the oval wand to apply the lightest shade to the upper part of the inner eyelid, then blend the darkest shade along the lash line.  Shade the outer brow with one of the remaining colors.  For more instensity, use a fourth color under the lashes.
- Rosy Tan - medium pink beige/deep bronze/pale matte beige/medium taupe/deep chocolate

Dior Addict Lip Maximizer - Dior presents a revolutionary lip care system that boosts volume instantly and restructures in the long term, thanks to a unique blend of hyaluronic acid and marine-based fillers that smooth, moisturize, and leave lips irresistably plump.  Apply under regular lipstick or gloss for volume and shine, or morning and night as a 15-day intensive cure.  Its fresh mint-vanilla scent makes it even more addictive.

Dior Addict Lipstick - Lipstick, the ultimate fashion accessory.  The new Dior Addict Lipstick is a declaration of love between beauty and style, color and couture, and Dior and it's addicts.  A dazzling array of shades for runway-ready lips.  Easy-to-wear, these shades dress the lips with a veil of color and spectular shine.  In a new and addictive, hydrating and volumizing formula.  With 25% less wax than a classic lipstick, this lipstick contains an extraordinary reflecting gel.  The result is modern transparency, intense plumping hydration, and a magnifying glass effect to intensify shine, plump the lips, and above all, enhance color.
- Diorkiss - bright cool pink

Dior Addict Crystal Gloss - Clear like crystal "Jelly Gloss" is lightly tinted in vivid summer shades for shiny, radiant lips.  Enriched with polymer gel, the vinyl texture immediately delivers volume to the lips, providing long-lasting comfort and optimal hydration.  This must-have accessory comes in four shades that will give your lips an instant radiance boost.  Two translucent shades: Sweet Rose and Sweet Peach.  Two sparkling shades: Luminescent Rose and Luminescent Peach.
- Sweet Rose - sheer rose pink shine

Dior Vernis Eletric Tropics Nail Duo - Take an exhilarating journey of color and discover Dior's Electric Tropics Manicure Duo, available in vibrant orange "Aloha" and neon pink "Paradise".  Each shade comes paired with an ultra glossy, quick drying top coat for an unbelievably lustrous finish.  Your manicure will never have looked this hot.
- Aloha - warm neon orange
- Paradise - neon pink

My favorite pieces from this collection comes from the face and eye makeup categories.  The Rosy Tan eye shadow palette will be perfect for my blue eyes and almost any other lady on the planet.  This one can be worn to the office or out at night (with a more dramatic hand).  I am very interested in the Healthy Glow Powder becuase it will work with either my pale skin or my tanned skin, depending on what my skin is that day.  The Fluid in the rosy shade will work best on days when I have no tan and just need a healthy glow.  I have to rule out the bright nail and lip shades, they just aren't my style.  I would be able to pull off the new Lip Gloss shade since it one of the sheer finishes available in this product.

photo courtesy of Dior

Entre Derm Night Cream

This is my next installment of what I have termed the Entre Derm series, I have written up the Day Cream and now the Night Cream is the next one up.  I used the Night and Day Cream at the same time over about four weeks and I have been able to conclude what I think of the two creams and most of the overall technology.  The Night Cream seems to be what is termed the "hero" product of this collection since night creams are formulated to contain the highest amounts of the anti-aging ingredients.  I tend to place more emphasis on the night cream formulas from companies, this is where I look for the best concentrations of active ingredients.  My skin needs to be taken care of at night and my day products are mostly for a light hydration and SPF protection. 

During the overview of the this company's technology, we discussed the Somazone technology that is present in this line of anti-aging skincare products.  The technology will in the highest concentration in the Night Cream, making it to be the strongest of the Entre Derm products.  Somazone techonology takes the largest particles (those that can't always be absorbed into the skin without help) and uses their patented system to channel them deep into the skin.  This cream is taking the collagen proteins and sending them deep into the skin throughout the night with use of this product. 

"Entre Derm Night Cream works during the body's sleep cycle to deliver higher concentrations of active anti-aging ingredients to the skin overnight.  The Night Cream contains Collagen, Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe Vera, and Emu Oil that attach to our patented Somazone molecules that squeeze through the epidermis, allowing direct delivery where it's needed most. This unique formula helps smooth and fill fine lines, decrease wrinkles and work to dramatically improve your skin's tone and texture.  Entre Derm Night Cream is designed to strengthen the effects of Entre Derm Day Cream.  Together, this intensive rejuvenation duo begins to transform your skin overnight", states the Entre Derm website when describing the product. 

I used this product as the company suggested, in conjunction with the Day Cream.  One at night, one int he morning.  I can't speak for some of the more advanced anti-aging benefits of this products since I don't have the already formed wrinkles on my face.  I was using this product as a preventative instead of using to really repair signs of aging.  I was happy with the results in this form, but I can't fully comment on all the aspects in this regard.  I first started using this product at the very end of winter when my skin is still dry but is experiencing all the changes that come at the change of the seasons.  I didn't find this product to be hydrating enough to be a night cream.  I tend to think of night creams as being more hydrating than their day counterparts, I was happy with the texture of the Day Cream but I wish that the Night Cream would have been richer. 

I like this product however the Day Cream is still my favorite part of this product collection.  If I were to change this product, I would make it more hydrating.  I wish that the company offered the Night Cream in two formulas, one for normal skin and one for dry skin.  I would need the one for dry skin and I am willing to bet that I would really see results from one that fully hydrates my skin and gets all of the proteins into my skin.

Next up, I am moving to the eye cream that came with this kit and being to try this one out.  More to come from this line!

photo courtesy of Entre Derm

Kat Von D True Romance Eye Shadow Palette in Angeles

A Kat Von D True Romance Eye Shadow Palette nevers fails to make me stop in my tracks when shopping and forget why I was in Sephora in the first place.  It amuses so much how I love these eye shadow palettes since nothing else in her makeup line could be called remarkable or unique.  It seems to me like all the design talent that was meant to go into this line went right into the palettes and then there wasn't much left over for anything else (unless her lip products have done a 180 since I last tried them).  Her newness palette for the spring/summer, named Angeles, has just been released and the white package of this product is what drew my attention to it initially.

All of the palettes are made to create a smoky eye look, a look that Kat has favored for years.  All of the palettes create a different version of the smoky eye, this newest one for summer looks as though it would create more of a bronze and aqua look than the traditional black and gray looks that we see all winter.  Like some of her other palettes, this one contains seven powder shadows and then one cream shadow that can be used to highlight.  "A smoky eye adds an instant air of mystery - create your own with the True Romance Eye Shadow Palette.  Designed especially for Sephora by reality television star Kat Von D, this artistic spectrum of shades will bring a touch of edgy-glam to your look.  The palette's sleek compact is stenciled with imagery inspired by an old-world romantic place and is itself a tattoo-inspired work of art", states the Sephora website in the overall product description. 

The shades contained in this palette are...

- Venus - shimmer bronze
- Leather - matte dark chocolate brown
- Specimen - pearly medium brown
- Rehab - pearly beige
- Peggy - pearly turquoise
- Bukowski - pearly aqua
- Bellbottom - pearly slate blue
- Morphine - cream iridescent white

All of the shades are the traditional powder format except the Morphine, which is the shade in the cream formula.  I love the traditional powder.  It goes on very pigmented and lasts all day (when layered over an eye shadow primer).  The powders are also quite soft and are very easy to blend, helping to create the smoky eye effect.  This powder shadow formula contains three active ingredients to set this one apart from on the ones on the rest of the market.  Squalane is a plant derived antioxidant with well documented rejuventating characteristics.  Lauroyl Lysine is an ingredient that acts like a tattoo for your eyes and is an amino acid that ensures a longer wear time on the pigment used to create the shadow.  Glyceryl Caprylate is a hydrating ingredient helps each shadow avoid flaking and chalking and also helps to adhere the shadow to the eye lid.  Kat Von D's eye shadows are certainly unique so I can say that these ingredients must work that way they are made to.

I can speak from experience that Kat's bronze and gold shades are among the best in her palettes.  Since this palette is almost half bronze, I will stand behind all four of those shades.  I have not worked with her blues yet however all of her greens and olives are also very high rated shades.  My only major dislike of the palette is the cream shadow shade since I normally have a harder time worker with a combination of creams and powders.  I love half of this palette but since all the blues are in it, I can't really say that I would buy it since it would be a waste for me to only use the bronze shades.  I would LOVE if this company would start using this eye shadow powder formula to make single eye shadows so I can keep collecting all the bronzes and golds in this formula.

photo courtesy of Sephora

C.O. Bigelow Lime and Coriander

As soon as the warm weather begins, I become a body wash junkie instead of a body lotion junkie.  It seems that onvernight, my skin becomes much less dry and as the humidity rises, I don't need body lotion everyday and alternating all types of scented washes are revolving through my shower.  My major requirement this time of the year until Labor Day is that the fragrances are light and crisp, whether they be fruity, floral, or on the sweet side.  Most of the time, I alternate between Philosophy 3-in-1s and Bath and Body Works Shower Gels but sometimes I find a new product in an unexpected place.

A favorite of mine in the current rotation is the C.O. Bigelow Lime and Coriander Body Wash, a wash that is found only in a few Bath and Body Works and that I wouldn't even have noticed had one of their managers not brought it over to show me.  I tend to get distracted by bright colors when I go shopping in the summer time so I get very excited when someone shows me something that I never would have seen otherwise.  "This refreshing body cleanser provides a rich, creamy lather while gently cleansing the skin.  Formulated with hydrating sodium PCA (a naturally occuring humectant that draws moisture to the skin) and soothing aloe vera to help skin maintain a perfect moisture balance."  This product is "fragranced with a fresh citrus burst of effervescent lime and exotic coriander leaves".

This is a lovely fragranced wash and is among the most unique that I own.  It balances the tart lime fragrance with the herbs and becomes a light, refreshing fragrance on the skin.  This scent could be used by either gender and fades very quickly after rinsing so it doesn't compete with anything that I put on in the morning.  This shower gel was also featured in one issue of Allure from last summer as an Editor's pick for summer beauty products.  The formula also lives up to my high expectations of products from the C.O. Bigelow line.  It foams up like crazy on a shower puff and rinses cleaner than many other body washes that I have ever tried.  It has not dried out my skin at all, which can be rare among certain types of body washes.

I only bought this fragrance in the shower gel but it is also available in a matching body lotion, which will end up on my shopping list the next time that I go to only Bath and Body Works around me that offers this line.  The lotion contains olive and borage oils for hydration and aloe vera for both it's hydrating and soothing properties on my skin.  I use this fragrance so much in the warm weather that I think the lotion would be the perfect complement for it in the winter (I love "eternal summer" feeling in my shower) or to use to hydrate and soothe my fake tans. 

This isn't the only scent in the line of C.O. Bigelow cleansers and lotions so I do want to go back to that store to check out the rest.  This find proves that some days it is best to walk around the whole store and look at every single product that you can find instead of running in and out in a hurry.  Or when times permits, I should say.

photo courtesy of Bath and Body Works

MAC Eye Kohl

This eye liner is one of my go to products for creating nightime smoky eyes but recently I have been bringing it out into the daylight.  This product is MAC favorite and some shade of it is recommened to me every single time that I go to the counter to buy eye shadow.  Many of this company's fans consider this product the only liner that can be used to make a smoky eye look and will not use any other product in the eye makeup collection.  In addition, I feel like some version of this liner is released in almost all of the MAC limited edition collections because it works well with every eye look.

The MAC website gives an overall description of the product and the reasons that an eye kohl is different than a traditional eye liner.  "A soft-on pencil liner that lines, defines, and shades the eyes with rich colour and a silky smooth, matte/pearl finish.  Ophthalmologist tested."  An eye kohl is softer than a traditional eye pencil and therefore is easier to smudge and make the smoky eyes.  A traditional eye pencil provides more of a sharp line and is much harder to use to create that type of eye look.  I do have both types of liners in my collection since I don't really believe that one type of liner provides all the eye makeup looks that I carry out.

This product features some shades that are best for the night and some that can work during the daytime too.  The shades are...

- Fascinating - intense matte white
- Minted - vibrant mint green with pearl
- Rosemary & Thyme - mid-tone olive gold with shimmer
- Powersurge - bronzed-brown with golden shimmer
- Costa Riche - rich coffee bean brown
- Teddy - intense bronze
- Tarnish - blackened forest green
- Smolder - intense black
- Blooz - intense blue with blue shimmer
- Prunella - shimmering black-eyed plum
- Phone Number - smudgy charcoal

I currently own two shades of this product, Smolder and Rosemary & Thyme.  Smolder is the shade that is used to create the dark smoky eye and I believe is their best selling shade of this product.  This is the darkest, deepest black liner that I have ever used, with the exception of liquid liners.  I bought this shade to create smoky eyes and that the best use for it.  The other shade that I have is actually the more versatile of the two shades.  I first boiught Rosemary & Thyme when it was released with To The Beach last last spring and I will confess that I pretty much bought it only for the beautiful packaging.  But this ended up being one of my favorite purchases from MAC ever.  It is a deep olive green with the gold shimmer and it creates some of the most beautiful day or night eye looks.  It works in the day with a golden eye or a subtle neutral olive eye.  But at night, I pair this with vibrant olives and golds and it creates the most unique eye looks that I have ever done. 

This product is very easy to use.  I soften it quickly between my fingers and then apply it right to the upper and lower lash line.  I smudge it only on the upper lash line since I prefer a tightline on the lower lash.  The formula is easy to smudge but you must do it quickly because it will set within minutes.  After the smudging, I use whatever shadow I am following it with right over the line and then smudge shades into the gradiation.

Since I am so happy with this product already, I feel that I should add to my collection with some browns.  Powersurge and Teddy will work with all my bronzes and golds to create my gilded eye looks.

photo courtesy of MAC