WE KNOW WHAT NOT TO DO, SO WHY DO IT?

In the United States, we are blessed with the ability to receive not just a base education, but an excellent one. The technology at our fingertips allows up to simply touch a button or use our voice to activate the Discovery Chanel, google, Ask.com or Yahoo on our phone, computer and TV. In other words, we have what it takes to act responsibly and make educated decisions.

Dispite this widely available stream of information and knowledge, walking thru the park we witness smokers sitting in the sun with no hat or umbrella and probably little or no sun block. To take this one step further, on the way to Vitamin Cottage, I had my family look for and count the indoor tanning salons. In a 12 mile round trip we found 5 (yes 5!) independent and national places to go indoors and age our skin. That is 1 every 2.25 miles.

On the shelves at Walgreens, Target, Whole Foods as well as out Med Spa's and Plastic Surgeons offices are 100's of line erasing, skin smoothing, age reversing products, designed to repair skin damage. None of these products are cheap, and some may be down right painful! The worst part about this is that much of this skin damage could have been avoided by good decision making in the first place.

But don't despair, all is not lost! With a little education we can change the habits that are creating the lip lines and small eye creases. We have the technology to eradicate sun and age spots and rejuvenate dry sagging skin. Now we need to educate ourselves on protecting our skin from further damage! We don't need to stop living large, we need to start thinking!

Smoking and surrounding ourselves with Cigarette smoke not only damages our heart and lungs, but our complexion! Notice the small lines and wrinkles surrounding a smokers lips as well as the overall dull and pasty skin tone they may have. Aging smokers may be using a powder "cover up" to replenish their healthy look. But powders may seep into those lines, INCREASNG the aging look rather then accenting the natural healthy glow that comes with good skin care! Consider quitting, or at least lowering the numbers of cigarettes smoked each day. Smoking is an addiction. Just like tanning, or heroin. It may be one of the hardest things you will ever have to do. It may also be one of the most rewarding. Seek help if necessary. Pull your family and friends in for encouragement and support. Fill your energy and time with a physical fitness class or that book you have been meaning to read.

Then there is the idea that indoor tanning will only help your complexion. Or the idea that we need to submit our bodies to the Suns full rays in order to be healthy and have enough vitamin D in our systems. While Doctors world wide agree we should get outdoors and play in Nature, we can do so safely while still obsorbing the wonderful nutrients and vitamins the sun provides. Simply use SUN BLOCK containing UVA and UVB cancelling agens. Zinc and titanium oxide need to be present in your SUN BLOCK (not sunscreen)!!! And think about wearing a full brimmed sun hat. While I am a huge fan and collector of golf hats they do not protect any area other then the forehead and nose. Other body parts deserve the same consideration as your cheeks. Do not assume your arms, chest and legs are protected. If you plan on being in the beautiful outdoors for any period of time (by which we mean longer then 15 minutes...) consider longer sleeves or light capris. And please don't assume that the windows in your car will give you any kind of protective barrier. Just notice how your driving arm may be warmer, even tanner then the rest of your body, and wha lah!, you have your answer.

As for Tanning beds. The fix is one of the easiest. Don't! If you need the look of the Sun kissed to feel your most beautiful, try a spray tan or self tanner. There are bronzers that you can apply yourself which will help you acheive the look you are lacking, without exposing yourself to harmful, skin damaging rays.

Be great to yourself. Everyone deserves to look and feel their best. And there is nothing wrong with being a little vain. After all, if you really think about it, we surround ourselves with people and things we find pretty and inviting. So really, we are doing our friends and society a favor by looking great! Now with that in mind, do the right thing. Take care of yourself. You and society deserve it!



http://www.smokefree.gov/


http://www.kidzworld.com/article/5838-the-dangers-of-tanning-beds

Dress for Success in 3D!

Imagine yourself walking into a room full of people that would become business associates, new friends and more. Ideally your skin would glow, every hair would be in place and your attire would express the vibrant, confident person that you are. Isn't this how we would all represent ourselves?

And what if the room you just entered was in a virtual world? Would your Avatar's persona correspond with your real life appearance? Or would it exceed your day to day beauty? What a great way to play with hair styles, clothing, even makeup! Recently we had the opportunity to do just this in Second Life with Gina Schreck! Not only did we network, and share ways to improve our service, we played in gowns and suits and wigs! Several of the more advanced "players" had the rosy glow and long lashes that hinted of their having been in Second Life several times before (their ability to fly smoothly was also quite impressive!).

So I ask you. Would you like to play and experiment with your appearance while seriously working in a fun environment? Do you often wonder how you would be perceived wearing a leather biking jacket or a 3 piece suit? Then step right into this virtual world and express yourself!

And if you are wondering if your real life persona needs some help, to let your true self shine thru, step into Renu Laser and Skin Care. We will ensure when you step out into the real world your skin will be radiant and you will exude self confidence.


http://www.meetup.com/Serious-SL/members/7280285/

http://www.synapse3di.com/

renulaserandskincare.com

Mineral SPF50! Easy to use? Waterproof? Hole in One!!

Zinc and Titanium Oxide are the only elements approved by Dermatologists and Oncologist to protect against UVB (Burning Rays) and especially UVA (Aging and Damaging, potential Skin Cancer Rays). Colorescience Sunforgettable contains both these important elements, and is endorsed by leading Dermatologist, Oncologists and Plastic Surgeons across the country. This is a true Waterproof Mineral Sunscreen! Once again Colorescience has exceeded our skin care expectations. For those of us who golf, would this be considered an Eagle?

Ok so next time you are out there hitting the links, rest assured that your skin is protected from harmful UVB and UVA rays, while you soak up some needed Vitamin D! Relax, think good swing thoughts, make that long drive and sink that putt. Let your favorite cart girl know you appreciate her always having your favorite ice cold beverage waiting on the back nine with a "real" tip of a Sunforgettable for herself.

Now, get out there and play! Colorescience has you covered.


http://www.colorescience.com
http://www.renulaserandskincare.com
http://bufordplasticsurgery.com/

Radiant Winter Skin or Chapped Cheeks? Nurture vs Nature?

Winter (and Spring in the Rockies) conjures up images of white snow, hot cocoa and radiant glowing skin. That healthy glow we all have after sledding with our kids, or a great run down the ski slope. But are looks deceiving? Is our skin care regime working? Do we have radiant skin or dry, flaky, chapped cheeks? Winter can be brutal on our beautiful skin! The dry weather and cold conditions during this time of the year can cause our skin's natural moisture to evaporate. And it becomes worse each time we leave and enter a hot building!

Taking care of ourselves and our skin needs to be something we regularly address. The change of seasons is a perfect example. Thank goodness the solutions to dry chapped skin are simple, inexpensive and will return our beautiful healthy glow in no time!

Nurture yourself!

• Drink H2O (the health benefits are too many to list in one small blog!).


• Use a humidifier to bring some of the healthy moisture back into the air your furnace is drying out.


• Exfoliate the dead skin cells once or twice each week and your moisturizer will have the opportunity to target the areas that are craving the help.


• Ensure your toner does not have an astringent component (witch hazel and alcohol are two very such agents). The astringent will only dry your skin out further.


• Choose a moisturizer that contains lactic acid or salicylic acid, and remember to use it.


• Remembering to wash our hands frequently thru out the day will help to protect against the spread of germs, yet also dries our skin out further! Keep a pump lotion on your bathroom vanity and take the extra minute to relax and massage your palm, fingers and wrist until the lotion is absorbed. Reapply generously thru out the day.


• And as always, use sun screen! No matter what time of year, we are always at risk for sun exposure and therefore sun damage. Even on cloudy days or on the short jaunts to and from work, are skin is exposed.

Good skin care is easy, once we get the hang of it. And good radiant, healthy skin is a gift that keeps on giving!

Red Shoe, Red Lips, Red Carpet!

In just a few hours we will be lounging with friends and family marveling at the beauty and intrigue only the Oscars can deliver.
Even though the Oscars do not sell as many big screen TVs as the Superbowl, there will be more Americans tuned in to this Red Carpet Affair.

• Who will win Best Actress? Best supporting role, best musical score?


• Who's gown is the most elegant, revealing, inappropriate?


• How do these hollywood beauties, male and female maintain their polished flawless look underneath those glaring lights?

This is juicy water-cooler fodder for weeks to come!

Here in Denver the Medispas and Salons have been in overdrive assisting us everyday folk prepare for this evening with our own glamour needs. Facials, Microderms and the sale of beauty products saw an exciting upturn. When we roll out the hors d'oervres we will be representing the best of ourselves, and deserve to look and feel our best.

Here are a few simple and quick ideas from your local Medical Spa and Make-up professionals:

• Do choose a fabulous shade of red for your lips!


• Do choose false eyelashes, for the outer half of your top lashes!


• Do choose a black mascara to really help your eyes pop!

Want to make your eyes pop? A sophisticated cat eye will add a touch of retro glamour to any evening. All you need is your eyeliner, either pencil or liquid — whichever you're more comfortable with. To get the look, follow your lash line from the inside outward, extending the line out past your eye and slanting it slightly upward. The trick is to make sure the length of each line is even. The longer the line, the more dramatic the effect. On the bottom lid, be sure you follow the lash line all the way to the outside corner of the eye, meeting the top line.

Want to up the flirt factor? Try eyelashes, that is. Apply half strips of fake lashes to the outside of the eye to make the cat effect even more dramatic.

Lips deserve to be treated wonderfully. They are the most on display part of our faces. Choose a lip liner a shade or 2 darker then the lip color. From the middle of your upper lip, follow your lip line outward to the point of your lip. Repeat with your other side. Complete this look by lining your bottom lip. Make sure your lines meet with out an overlap. Fill in the lip liner with your beautiful, lush color. A pat of a clear gloss will help to set both your lipstick and the lip liner. DO NOT BLOT. The look for the evening is full and bold, not muted.


http://www.cosmopolitan.com/hairstyles-beauty/skin-care-makeup/oscar-makeup-2009

http://bubble20snarkgroup.com/oscar-winners-2010-razzies-2010-winners-list-update/

What is your Red Carpet look?

Ahhh... I am just now getting my breath back after the incredible events of the Olympics. It seems everyday brought exciting moments and I found myself holding my breath as skiers flew down the hills and speed skaters spun around the track.
But it seems there is no rest for the wicked! Now I must get busy planning the menu, my clothing and hair style for our Oscar party on March 7th.

I am not alone. All over the globe salons and spas are gearing up for the rush of clients that turn out for such glam events as weddings, reunions and of course Oscar parties! This is big business! Viewers such as myself are glued to the TV set. What film will win the most Oscars? What had the best sound track? What will Jennifer Aniston be wearing? What will I be wearing? Will I be able to get in for a microderm before the big event?

The Oscars are synonymous with Glamor, Gossip and the Red Carpet. It is fun to step outside of our day to day and shine along with the rest of the world. So go ahead. Make your appointment for your facial, manicure and up-do and enjoy your own red carpet evening. You deserve it!
!http://entertaining.about.com/cs/holidays/a/hurrayhollywood.htm
http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/index.html
http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/82/partykit/index.html