Aethern Skin Nutraceuticals: You Deserve It!

Beautifully packaged, easy to consume daily vials of Aethern
A game changer

First and foremost, Happy New Year !!!

I hope you haven't felt too neglected by me...Life as a partner and Co-Owner of our store, Mary Jane Denzer is absolute thrill, but I am busier than ever.

While I have had less time to focus on trying new products and blogging about them, the one constant, has been my daily dose of  FDA approved, clinically trialed Aethern.  Aethern's blend of bio-active peptides, Hyaluronic Acid, Silicon, Pure Astaxanthin, vitamins and minerals, is proprietary. And it works.

6 years ahead of GOOP, Jane Iredale, Bobbi Brown and others who are hopping on the ingestible beauty bandwagon, Aethern has been blazing a trail of raving fans worldwide.  Board certified Dermatologists, Dr. Lisa Airan, and Dr. Ava Shamban, stars in their own rite, recommend  Aethern to their devoted patients.

The magnificent Cate Blanchett,  is also an Aethern fan!  She includes in her beauty and health repertoire and mentioned it in this Allure article.  Of note; she is not a paid spokesperson.

Who wouldn't want to achieve firmer, more elastic, radiant looking skin???  When I look back at my own untouched photos, (which I recommend taking), I am amazed and delighted at the dramatic change in just under 4 months of taking Aethern daily.

See for yourself!!!

Update: My Continued Journey with Aethern - The Fountain of Youth

Daily Doses of  beautifully packaged Aethern, convenient and travel ready

For those of you who have not yet been following, I am pleased to be able to share my continued Aethern journey with you.

Aethern, is a single daily dose of 14 FDA approved, vitamins, minerals, Bio Active Collagen Peptides and Hyaluronic acid formulated to increase skins elasticity,  firmness and radiance.

My results at just a little over 3 months of daily ingestion, lay truth to every claim, plumped up skin; less creepy crepe, (the bane of every woman of a certain age existence) and fewer fine lines.

Brava!  Additionally, the two mucus cysts that seem to come out of nowhere on my right hand have all but vanished along with the wrist and knee pain I was experiencing after weight training.  The anti-inflammatory properties in Aethern, is apparently, working like Jiffy Lube in my system.

Hands before Aethern

Hands after 3 months of taking Aethern

I am so thankful that I took pictures of my Aethern journey along
the way, because there is no disputing these are remarkable results!

No wonder, Aethern is beloved by famed Dermatologists Dr. Lisa Airan and Dr. Ava Shamban, both of who recommend it highly to their patients.

My partner Anastasia Cucinella and I recently had new head shots taken when our photographer Jay Ackerman, came to take updated photos of our store, Mary Jane Denzer.   It's always a bit daunting to have professional photos taken, but I was pleased with the results.

As the numbers start to creep up, aging can be disheartening...(I don't know anyone who doesn't feel at least 20 years younger than their biological age),  I decided to look back for a photo that was taken 10 years ago, to see how I am faring:

10 Top Derms Share Their Own Tips for Beautiful Skin

I honestly can't remember the last time I have seen a copy of Self in print. I do, however, enjoy some of their online articles, particular ones related to beauty. Everyday I eyeball at least a dozen beauty articles. This one caught my attention for a full read.

Self asked 10 top Dermatologist's to reveal some of the personal things they do, to ensure their own healthy skin.  They asked some of the most respected and renown names in the business.  Their tips are simple, but smart. Easy things we can all incorporate into our daily routines.

My fave was #6, courtesy of Yelena Yeretsky of NYC. Turns out upon a third reading, that she is not a dermatologist, but an anti-aging aesthetician that they quoted and included, (hence my lopping of their list from 11 to 10.) Food for thought... nonetheless, her tip sounds a lot more palatable then using Preparation H on your face and if used sparingly, 'probably' could do no harm. I await Self's correction...

Too see the complete list, click here.  What's your fave???

xox,
DD

Happy Thanksgiving...Bitmoji Style

It's 9:00 am and I'm already starving!!!  I don't think I know anyone who does not cherish this most American holiday, (except of late, the Sr. Management of our retail stores...rant in a moment.) Traditional food favorites that are tweaked from home to home, appear annually on the table. Family members travel in, college students arrive home and we all gather, with appreciation of one another and our good fortune.

Then we digest and more and more, sneak a peek to shop online. I must say, I am disappointed that one of my own family members won't be at the table.  She is the General Manager of a large flagship store and will be working today...Call me crazy, but can't Black Friday wait till Black Friday??? I think it's appalling that this National holiday no longer means that everyone gets the day off to enjoy their Thanksgiving holiday with their loved ones. Is nothing sacred???  

On a lighter note, if you are wondering how "I" appeared cartoon like, wrapped in a turkey, than perhaps you have not yet heard of  Bitmoji, a  free, app that you can download onto your smart phone. Bitmoji  walks you the steps of creating a caricature of your own likeness, as you choose things like facial shape, eye and eyebrow shape, jawline, lip size, skin tone, hair color, body type and clothing style.

Once in place, you never have to speak again as it covers just about every thought or emotion with a cartoon and slogan. They are sweet, charming and fun and I love seeing how my friends have created themselves when I receive them in texts and emails.  Try it! It's a hoot!

I am thankful for many things, my wonderful husband Chris, who will make an amazing turkey, our wonderful son, pussycat and extended family, my splendid retail employers and my second family, the Mitchell's, who not only cherish Thanksgiving as a day for family, but do the same and are not open on Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day. My incredible friends, some of whom I have been bonded to since Jr. High School, and knock wood, good health.

I also deeply appreciate you, my loyal, Lovelies. Wishing you a delicious day, safe travels, good health and much love...

xox,
DD

Meet Lisa Topham Director of Split Rock Aesthetic Institute

Lisa Topham R.N., BSN
Director of Split Rock Aesthetic Institute
Wilton Ct./Greenwich Ct.
203-831-8029

The Split Rock Aesthetic Institute in Wilton, Ct. first came on my radar when I went there to interview the famed Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon Dr. Neil Gordon.  The blog I wrote, still stands as one of the more comprehensive articles written about Dr. Gordon, who works under the radar as he deftly resets the clock, on the faces of media elite, film stars and his well heeled patients. (I'm sure if he wanted, Dr. Gordon could star in his own "Botched" reality show. He is also known for 'fixing" the faces of distraught patients of other surgeons.)

The Retreat at Split Rock is where Dr. Gordon operates, in his fully accredited surgical center. Patients can recuperate, in a luxuriously appointed spa and Inn, with round-the-clock medical care and nourished by their acclaimed full time chef.  It is also, harmoniously, where Lisa Topham and her staff work with patienys at the Split Rock Aesthetic Institute.

If it seems counter-intuitive for a surgeon and a premier non-surgical practitioner to share one roof, you are looking at anti-aging beauty as a competition between practices.  It's not.  It's all about you. Your face, your needs, your budget and how far you are willing to go to stay ahead of natural aging.

Going under the knife is not for everyone and lucky for us, Lisa Topham and her staff are utilizing all of the best injectibles, lasers and therapies out there, to work with you on your goals. With 30 years of experience in the field, and the passion and training to know exactly where a long term filler should be placed, does it really make sense to trust your face to a practitioner promoting with a  Group-On offer???

Not to me...

    Logo from Lisa's webpage

    www.Lisatopham.com

Lisa Topham came back on my radar in the last year.  Some of my friends and clients, who share my confidence, were looking fresh, youthful and lifted in a subtle but appealing way.  Long term fillers like Voluma XC, more gradual ones like Sculptra, or quicker fixes like Perlane could be the answer, but was I missing the 411 on something more?  And if so, by whom?

Enter again, Lisa Topham, who in addition to working at the Aesthetic Institute in Wilton, was now seeing patients in Greenwich Ct. at Dr. Gordon's satellite office at 116 Mason St.

It was Lisa who was responsible for the smoother jawlines, wider temples and more open eyes, my own eagle eye was scouting. The 5 year filler Lisa is using with such great success is called Bellafill and it is beloved in Europe.

Lisa, who has always been on the "cutting edge" of the non-cutting edge, was an early convert, training 3 years ago and using it on patients who trust her aesthetic expertise, experience and dedication to helping patients look refreshed and natural.

Since Bellafill lasts up to 5 years, would you risk going to someone, even your most trusted injector, who is newly adding this to their anti-aging arsenal???

I wouldn't...

I attended a seminar at their Mason Street office on November 29th, and was able to see some examples of Lisa's work with Bellafill, Botox and other injectibles with before and after slides. Lisa's team, is also expert in administering Ulthera Treatments (Ultrasound for lifting and tightening), Exilis (Radio frequency which removes fat and tightens skin non-surgically) and the very effective Sciton Laser.

It was interesting to be seated among women of all ages, copiously taking notes.  I get it. It's a lot to process. No matter what your age, whether in your late 30's and looking towards prevention or your late 60's and determined not to have a facelift, Lisa will help you navigate and create a long term plan for your best self.

Having a complimentary consultation with Lisa, is the first step towards getting educated about your face and what can and can't be achieved non-surgically.

I defy you to meet her and not instantly feel comfortable with her warm, engaging manner. Lisa will give you a direct, but kind, assessment of the current state of where your age is showing and how she can best correct it. She understands there are a lot of options to consider and encourages you to think about them before getting started on your next appointment. 

For your complimentary consultation with Lisa Topham in either location, contact her at 203-831-8029. Please tell Lisa you  were referred by DivaDebbi. I would be honored to hear back from you, as I have from people who have worked with Dr. Gordon after reading my blog @ DivaDebbi@gmail.com.

Your face is the one thing you wear everyday...It's not the place to cut corners, like scoring a great Prada knockoff at Zara.  Any physician or dentist can now take courses for a few short hours and start injecting. Be smart.  Be safe...

xox,
DD

My CP Hairbrush; the one and only you will need

CP Hair Designs Vented De-tangling and Styling Brush

$19.95

I am so happy I stumbled upon this ingenious hairbrush.

Christoper Hornauer, my divine colorist, has been tending to my locks for 17 years, the last 15 or so at Warren Tricomi, Greenwich.  One of the things WT does really well, is fully stock their blow dry bar, for clients who are happy to dry there own hair.

Cleverly, I am sure a lot of product and brushes are purchased from clients who get to try them first.  On my last visit, I picked up a curved, combination pin and boar bristle brush on a whim. Oh my my...

LIFT, VOLUME, SHINE??? Yup.  But it also leaves my hair straight and sleek.

Christopher has mentored many young assistants over the years, who have gone on to be promoted to full fledged colorists.  Among them Jenna is my all time fave. As she scooted by, I pointed to my dream "bump" a full on section of lift and volume in the crown of my hair. Jenna, who loves a bit of bump herself, got it immediately.  I asked her to kindly check and see if these were available for sale, because if not, it was going home in my handbag :).

Fortunately, for all, it was.

The brush, by CH Products  is a new offering from them, designed to both detangle and style.  It is perfect for all hair types, including those with sensitive scalps. Because the head is flexible, it makes styling easy and takes a lot of pressure off your wrist.

I usually do not carry a brush, but I find myself wanting to use it during the day, for a little pick me up. The downside is that I worry about losing it and protect my bag the way I might if I was a tourist in Rome.

It's that good.  Want to have one too? Click here  for a link to their site to purchase one. As always, you are very welcome...

xox,

DD

L'Oreal Sublime Self Tanning Serum; A great find

L'Oreal Sublime Self Tanning Serum
$10.99 3.4 fl. Oz.

If you can find it, that is...

As soon as I saw this advertised, I wanted to try it.  This is a completely new medium for self tanner. No one has ever produced a self tanning serum.  

Touting its ability to last for up to two weeks, I was desperate to get my hands on it. As well, the reviews I read were glowing; easy to apply, not too stinky, streak free, golden and long lasting.  Now all I had to do was find it...

I struck out at two CVS's in Greenwich. Ditto one in Newport as well as a Rite Aid. I was contemplating ordering it online, when I got lucky and snagged the last one at Ulta.

Palladio Botanical & Vitamin Infused Cosmetics

Palladio Precision Liners
$6 each at Ulta

I realize these liners look more like they were plucked from a box of Crayola crayons. Fear not! The one that I forgot I purchased on a whim from Ulta a few weeks back, is actually a gorgeous dark espresso. Palladio Precision Liners are also available in black and charcoal grey.

We had quite a patch of warm weather and high humidity in the beginning of the week and I have been searching for a great budge proof liner that glides on handily.  I somewhat achieved it, when I rediscovered my Trish McEvoy Intense Gel Eyeliner. I do love it, but two challenges remain; it's pricey and required endless sharpening. Before you know it, you've whittled yourself down to a nub...

What a happy surprise Palladio Precision Liner is! For starters, you can hone the point to ice pick sharpness and for 6 bucks, who cares.  It does glide on beautifully, because they are silicone instead of wax based. Added bonus, the color lasts and lasts, without fading or smearing.
 

Hallelujah!

Concealer: Through Thick and Thin

   

Laura Mercier High Coverage Concealer
$32

We vacationed this year towards the tail end of a very long winter. By the time we left, I thought I looked wan and wiped.  I made a trip to Sephora expressly to find a concealer that would cover and brighten my fatigued looking under eyes.

Laura Mercier has always enjoyed a good rep, particularly for her concealers. Feeling a wee desperate, I tried out her High Coverage Concealer while in the store.  I was amazed how instantly refreshed I looked. I purchased it imagining how deeply rested I would soon appear, just a few days into my vacation.

I was convinced I stumbled onto my next DivaDebbi Holy Grail product...wrong. Me being me, I fortunately had a spare packed.

I don't think it was just the warmer climate--this concealer is so thick, you practically need pliers to get it out of the tube.  Within an hour or two of wear it congealed under my eyes and anything that may have blown by seemed to adhere to it. If this is how High Coverage Concealer works, I think we may be better off without it.

Back to Sephora it went....

I'm not a huge magazine reader anymore, but I will take the time to peruse them while getting mani and pedi's.  My first look see is always the beauty pages.

Fortuitously, Sandy Linter, Lancome's "Beauty at Any Age" spokesperson, was weighing in on her preferred concealer weight.  Sandy, is an icon in the beauty world, having worked as an artist for 4 decades and performing her magic tricks on early Supermodels like Christie Brinkley and Cheryl Tiegs.

Sandy's tack is the exact opposite; she recommends going as sheer as you can, while still receiving your desired results.  Hmmm...why not?  The opposite tack certainly proved to be the wrong approach.

CVS is just above Cozy Nails, so with that thought still burning in my brain, I decided to stalk the aisles to see what might fit the bill.

Vogue's 2015 Beauty Break Throughs; JeNu Skin Infuser

How influenced am I by beauty endorsements from Vogue, Elle, Allure etc...? Pretty much, sucker punched, every time.  After all, they have full staffs of people doing nothing but trying products day and night and lucky for them, and sadly not for me, they are even paid for it.

I came across this nifty little product via my Facebook feed.  It turns out that the hand held JeNu's Skin Infuser one of Vogue's 10 "Game Changers" for 2015.

JeNu's Skin Infuser available online with a (hefty discount) or at Neiman's and Nordstroms (without)

What dozens of women report, is that when using JeNu daily with their favorite skin care products, the boost the "infusion" system provides greatly improves the efficacy of their skincare routine, plumping, tightening and reducing fine lines, wrinkles and folds. It is also extremely well reviewed on independent sites that rate products such as these.

JeNu comes with a 30-Day Risk Free Return Policy.  Most of the women reported great results in less time. I opted to purchase my JeNu system with a discount and in three installments.  I figured that way, if I'm not seeing results within a few weeks, I can return it, without having to lay out a large sum.

Stila Aqua Glow Watercolor Blush

Stila Aqua Glow Watercolor Blush
$26

I have a love/hate relationship with the cookies that troll me on my laptop.  On the one hand, I find them incredibly invasive. Whatever I'm browsing for pops up and trails me all over the Internet, often showing up on this blog in the google ads that I receive pennies for. Good thing my obsessions are fashion and beauty...

On the other hand, it does pop up with some useful information.  I have been meaning to write about Stila's delightful new Aqua Glow Watercolor Blush in Water Lily, anyway.  Now, thanks to a pop up, I can also share that Stila is having an incredible sale, with certain bestsellers (in very human colors), available at 60% off.  Added bonus? Another pop up that offered me an additional 20% if I signed up for their email, because one can always unsubscribe later :)

I don't know why my DivaDebbi Holy Grail One Step Bronze is no longer available at retail. As I hit the halfway mark on my pump bottle recently, I once again, checked the Stila department at Ulta for it. No luck, (thank God it's not discontinued...this would be tragic. Not ideal to have to order online, but better than my scouring the world, to hoard what's left of it.)

Anyway, one of my favorite Beauty Bloggers Isabela Muse of Musings of a Muse had recently been sent Stila Aqua Glow Watercolor Blush to sample, (hey Stila peeps! Me too, please!) and loved them. Naturally, I was intrigued,

What In the World is Face Baking?

Face Baking courtesy of Refinery 29/Youtube

Do you have not a clue???  Neither did I, until this morning, when my friend Linda Levy asked me if I have tried it.  I couldn't possibly, since I somehow missed the newest beauty fad to hit the blogosphere.

Is it surprising that this half baked trend has Kardashian roots??? Not really.  Contouring madness has reached a new zenith due to the K. clan, which no doubt also includes Caitlin. Supposedly, Kim's makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic has been baking her and recently went public with the technique.

So what's it all about???

Murad's Radiance Duo; All about the glow

Murad Advanced Active Radiance Serum
$89

Murad Essential-C Day Moisturizer
$60

I'm often asked what is my favorite serum.  I think the best answer is the one I circle back to most often, Murad's Advanced Active Radiance Serum. At $89 for one fluid oz, it's pricey, but not as pricey as my once beloved Skinceuticals Ferulic Acid Serum.  (And Lord knows, it smells better!)

The immediate glow, literally makes my skin look lit from within.  Could you ask for more?

In May, I received a gift from Murad, as a reminder of Skin Cancer Awareness month. It included the Advanced Active Radiance Serum, their Essential-C Day Moisturizer with SPF 30 and sweetly, a pair of bright orange sunglasses.

Flashback Friday: Benefit's gimme BROW

Benefit Gimme Brow
Originally $22 creeping up to $24...but worth it

I love getting calls from my GF's when they are excited about their latest beauty find.  They usually want me to try it so I can blog about it and share it with my readers.  Such was the case when my pal Monica called after spending some time at a Benefit store in the NYC and being schooled on the charms of gimme BROW.

"Oh yes, gimme BROW is great...I wrote about it over 2 years ago", I blithely replied....but then it occurred to me--if it was so good, why had I moved on and tried at least another 4 products since then?

I'm Primed: Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer

Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer
3 sizes: $18, $52 $72

Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer is one of those products that women talk about it hushed whispers, irrationally, I imagine, so as not to diminish its magical powers. Of the thousands of reviews on Sephora's website, a whopping 2/3rds of their nearly 3,000 reviewers gave it 5 stars. Unheard of...

I'm not necessarily inclined to want to add another layer of stuff to my daily routine as we head into stickier weather, but if it keeps my morning application in place and minimizes touch ups, I'm game.

Frugality is not a long suit of mine, but I could just never pull the trigger on spending $52 on a primer. Fortune smiled on me during a recent Sephora run, when I spotted Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer in their new $18 travel size pump. This was too much to resist.

One to Skip: Cover FX Custom Color Drops

Cover FX Custom Color Drops
$44

Like others who purchased Cover FX Custom Color Drops, I was enamored with the concept; customizing your foundation...How novel.

Want full coverage? Use it straight up.  A tinted moisturizer? Mix a few drops with your favorite moisturizer or serum. More coverage? Add a few more drops. Less? Vise versa. The potential for use as a multi-tasker sounded good, plus I liked the idea of playing chemist.

The first challenge was selecting a shade. Sephora had a large selection of shades of Cover FX Custom Color Drops to choose from, (though I counted a whopping 24 online.)

Nothing seemed to match my skin tone, which has yellow undertones.  Oddly the only thing that came close was from the pink hues.  I struggled for about 15 minutes before choosing.

Stila One Step Bronze: The only one you need

Stila One Step Bronze
$36

This is one of my favorite beauty products...definitely a Holy Grail and one that I have now replaced 3 times, since I first discovered it back in March of 2013. The last purchase came via Amazon. I was starting to get spooked that it was being phased out.

First my local Sephora dumped the whole collection. Fortunately I found it at Ulta.  They recently upgraded their packaging and the prices have creeped up a bit.  I'm O.K. with that, it's an attractive upgrade...as long as they don't discontinue Stila One Step Bronze.  Inexplicably, it has not been restocked in months, or it has and has flown off the shelves in between my visits--quite possibly, the latter.

As I eeked out the last pump last week, my husband detected my frustration, and nicely, surprised me and ordered it from Amazon, a great source for beauty products that sustain untimely deaths. Happily, it arrived today.  (I just checked Stila's website and thank goodness, it has not been discontinued.)

So, what makes this a DivaDebbi Holy Grail?  I find it a winning choice over powdered bronzers,  which are always too matte or too shiny.  They also have a tendency to settle into fine lines, no ones goal, ever. Another plus? It also has skincare properties that hydrate and improve tone and texture, something never found in powdered bronzers.

This lovely, mousse like tri-color gel, can be used on bare skin, mixed with your foundation, or applied as I do, with a big fluffy brush as a last step, anywhere the sun naturally hits; the forehead, the bridge of the nose and the tops of my cheekbones.

Bronze and glowing...what more could you ask for???

Pur Minerals 4-1 Tinted Moisturizer

Pur MInerals 4-1 Tinted Moisturizer
$34

I am such a Pur Minerals fan! Honestly, I  have loved nearly every product I have ever sampled or purchased.  Regular DivaDebbi readers know I appreciate multi-tasking products. I'm always looking for time savers and of course my quest, is to find the Holy Grail products for every category that one use for daily makeup needs. (Pur's Chateau Kisses Lip Plumping Lip Gloss is one such example--a stain and gloss hybrid.)

I spotted Pur Minerals 4-1 Tinted Moisturizer at Ulta and I could tell just by looking at the "Tan" shade that this would be a perfect match for my skin tone.  I immediately asked to sample it and was shocked to hear that Ulta, "does not sample".

Really???

Big miss...I can't tell you how many products I boomerang back to Sephora to purchase after sampling. Fortunately for me, my friends at Tractenberg PR partner with Pur, so I reached out and asked if I could receive a sample.  Happily, it was in stock and they nicely complied.

Jergens Skin Firming and Tightening Lotion

Jergens Skin Firming Toning and Tightening Lotion

Long time readers will know I'm always on the hunt for anti-aging product for the body. I firmly believe,( no pun intended), that the neck south, is vastly untapped, and well primed for Mass Consumer attention.

Why shouldn't the chemists and marketing whizzes at P&G and et al, give some love to my upper knees???

As I perused the CVS aisle two weeks ago, I spotted Jergens 'Even Better' Skin Firming Tones & Tightening Lotion.  As far as I could tell, it had no peers.

Done...

Totalbeauty: How to fake a facelift with makeup

courtesy of Totalbeauty

I have a huge soft spot for Totalbeauty's website.  For starters, they accepted my blog DivaDebbi into their exclusive coterie of bloggers when I was just 6 mos. out of the gate.  I always appreciated the vote of confidence that my voice was cutting through the clutter and deserved to be published.

 Merci!!!

I am also enamored by the unbiased reader reviews of about a zillion products.  As a result, TB frequently tallies "best and worst of" articles.  I have made notes and purchased products, so many times, as many of you often tell me you do based on my posts.

 Merci!!!

They also have arresting articles that stop me in my tracks and demand reading, like Emily Woodruff's piece on How to Fake a Facelift with Makeup, based on tips by makeup artist Taylor Chang-Babian.