kinerase C6 peptide intensive treatment

this is the treatment that Courtney Cox uses and has gotten a lot of exposure because of it. however, that doesn't say much because (w/ all due respect) Courtney Cox doesn't look young anymore. either way, due to all of the good ingredients in this product (e.g., argireline--an advanced hexapeptide, vitamin C & E, green tea), i decided to try it out.

my impression:
i am a little on the fence about this product. knowing the ingredients make me feel like it's a wonderful product; however, i have not seen any visual improvements on my skin. i don't have many skin problems as is (and maybe that's why it didn't do much), but i was still looking for some type of improvement as far as skin texture, tone, etc. goes. i haven't noticed a thing. the only thing i can say is that it might have helped prevent additional skin damage, along with my sunblock -- but that's about it. i may repurchase for preventative reasons but definitely not to help fix anything.

basic 411:
Application: smooth, sinks in to skin (non-greasy)
Price: $96 (but you can find it cheaper if you search online)
Where to Buy: various places online (e.g., amazon.com, skinstore.com, dermadoctor.com), Sephora
Overall Rating: 3/5 stars (not worth it, but definitely not a bad product)
Tip: if you wanna try it, i suggest just getting it at Sephora and returning it if it doesn't work out.

pure beauty!

natalie portman

collagen

no, not the injections. i'm talking about natural collagen... the kind that your body produces!

so, what is collagen?
Collagen is a major structural protein in the skin. It plays a key role in providing the structural scaffolding for cells, tissues, and organs. If it weren't for collagen, the body would literally fall apart. Collagen also gives the skin its strength and durability and is responsible for the smooth, plump appearance of young, healthy skin. Understanding the structure and function of collagen will help you better know how to maintain a healthy, youthful appearance. (source: nuskin.com)

Basically, collagen keeps your skin nice, tight and plump (in a healthy, non-fattening way). Take this example: PORES. Why is it that little kids don't have any visible pores? It's because they have an abundance of healthy collagen (and elastin + other biological and environmental factors). as we age, our collagen production decreases and/or breaks down, causing our skin to look dull, thin, wrinkly, and loose. Sucks to get old, ey?

ways to promote collagen production
There are many ways to promote the synthesis of new, healthy collagen. First, you can provide the skin with a reserve of vitamin C. As a necessary cofactor in collagen synthesis, vitamin C is proven to increase the production of collagen. One study showed that extended exposure of human connective-tissue cells to vitamin C stimulated an eight-fold increase in the synthesis of collagen (Murad et al., 1981).

Another way to promote the synthesis of collagen is to use chemical exfoliants, such as alphahydroxy and polyhydroxy acids, which break down the bonds between cells of the stratum corneum and slough away dead skin. Consistent exfoliation stimulates cell renewal. Chemical exfoliation has also been shown to increase dermal thickness. Scientists attribute this dermal thickening to the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans and collagen within the dermis.

A third way to promote collagen synthesis is to supplement with collagen stimulating peptides. Fibroblasts are naturally stimulated to begin the synthesis of collagen when specific combinations of peptide signal molecules (fibroblast growth factors) bind to receptor sites on the fibroblast membrane. These signal molecules can be supplemented with topically and help boost collagen production. Some skin care companies are including these peptide fragments in their treatment products.

Because collagen gives the skin its strength, durability, and smooth, plump appearance, it's important to protect and promote collagen growth. Taking good care of your skin means taking care of your collagen. (source: nuskin.com)

Photo Update: K-Palette & Make Up For Ever

ok, here's the photo of the K-Palette "1-Day Tattoo" (on top) and the Make Up For Ever AQUA EYES (on bottom). i know you can't see the lower liner but it's there. lol

i've had them both on for about 11 hours right now. K-Palette hasn't flaked off. not too shabby, huh?

Make Up For Ever AQUA EYES - Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil

ok, this has got to be one of the best waterproof pencil liners out there. as you may or may not have noticed, i've been on a quest to find the best smudge/water-proof eyeliners because i'm sick of looking @ my panda face @ the end of the night and realizing that i was frolicking around in public looking like this the whole day.

anyway, if you're a Sephora Beauty Insider, you might've gotten the e-mail introducing Make Up For Ever's AQUA EYES. i usually delete those e-mails but this one kind of interested me so i decided to check it out.

i did a eye-by-eye test w/ Make Up For Ever's AQUA EYES and Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil, because a Sephora associate told me that the Urban Decay liner has been the best-selling waterproof pencil liner for a while, and that they just got the Make Up For Ever eyeliner in (since they don't carry the whole line of products for Make Up For Ever like the other products). after an hour, AQUA EYES and 24/7 were pretty much equal. application was also similar as well. by the end of the night, i think the AQUA EYES was only slightly better.

so for those of you who don't like the Elvira/Amy Winehouse liquid liner look, Make Up For Ever's AQUA EYES is worth a try. it comes in almost all the colors of the rainbow so you can have fun w/ it. i bought Star Black 1L (black sheen). this is like a greyish black. it isn't as stark as Matte Black (which is super black) so it might look better if you're using it to line underneath your eyes. it's also dark enough to put it on your top lids as well, but if you're like me (w/ oily top lids), you might end up with a widddddle bit of panda. either way, this liner performs better than others i've tried.

here are some basics:
Application: pretty smooth -- not waxy
Removal: needs more umph than non-waterproof liners but your regular makeup remover with a Q-tip will do the trick.
Price: $16.00 (well worth it!)
Where to Buy: makeupforever.com or Sephora (both store & online but i think you can only get the crazy colors online)
Overall Rating: 4/5 stars


**P.S.- if you can't find it, Urbay Decay's 24/7 is still a good alternative. same price, almost same quality.**

k-palette real lasting eyeliner 24hr waterproof *my HG liner*

the problem i have with eyeliner (all kinds: liquid, pencil, gel, etc.) is that, somehow, they all like to migrate down to my lower lids (even the Bobby Brown gel liner). if left unwiped, i basically end up looking like a panda by the end of the night midday. so, i decided to try the "1-Day Tattoo." i actually saw this eyeliner at the TOP 10 store when i was in Japan last winter. i was curious about it then but didn't end up buying it. at the time, i thought it would be just like putting Sharpie on your face because it didn't erase or smudge when i tested it on my hand. maybe it is like Sharpie but just non-toxic..? either way, i finally decided to quench my curiosity and try it out.

current status: 10 hours -- no panda face. WHOA! i don't think i can go 24 hours because that is just gross. overall, i can officially say that i am impressed. i've found my new HG eyeliner! i would post a pic but i look horrible right now.

** Edit Added: Responses to Comments **

Flake/No Flake?: no flake BUT if you rub later in the day (and have oily lids), it might rub off a little bit, but this is TOTALLY not like the typical waterproof cracking/flaking that happens with other waterproof liquid liners. this liner goes on so thin on application. you might even have to layer it on if you want that thick don't-f*ck-w/me look. hehe
Removal: surprisingly, it comes off pretty well w/ a little bit of face soap and water. so here's the recap. it doesn't run down your face even if you have oily lids (like i do). if you don't touch it, it doesn't smudge at all. but if you wanna take it off, just wash it off like you normally do. voila!
Where to Buy: i bought mine @ life plaza in hacienda but i've seen it at japanese goody shops. =) you might want to try marukai (not nijia), but only if it's a big one.
Overall Rating: 5/5 stars

update coming soon

sorry! school is kicking my (_(_)!