thePULSESoothe that summer skin you’re in
September 2004 – After the long, hot days of summer, it’s energizing to think about adorning your body in a new fall wardrobe, especially when you see the wide variety of fun and flirty styles making headlines this fall.
But before you head out to pick up a teeny camisole made with bits of lace, that short boucle sweater that bares your summer-dark tummy or that suede mini skirt, take care of your skin first. The greatest outfit in the world won’t look like much when you’re facing the world with sun-damaged or stressed skin.
Of course, if you have an unlimited budget, you can think about getting Botox treatments, where a botulism toxin is injected into facial areas, paralyzing muscles that have been facing blazing summer sun to prevent wrinkles or age-lines. Botox is big in Hollywood where stars of all ages have tried to smooth their visages with this expensive — and sometimes risky — treatment.
Reports of Botox-gone-bad, causing frozen facial features, headaches and droopy eyes have led lots of skin-savvy consumers to look for alternatives to Botox, such as the latest product making headlines this fall — Freeze 24/7. Making news on the Today Show recently, Freeze 24/7 is touted as a natural alternative to Botox that dramatically reduces fine lines. Of course, at $95 for a single ounce, Freeze 24/7 is not exactly cheap.
Other alternatives to Botox include Dermabrasion, a procedure that reportedly rejuvenates your skin without chemicals of laser products. Dermabrasion is used to reduce sun damage and blemishes. Some salons carry dermabrasion kits or you can find them on-line at SkinStore,com which carries products like a Dermanew Kit for $149.00 — promoted as “everything you need for a home treatment.”
If you’re partial to more natural treatments, you can buy Dr. Michelle Copeland’s “Honey and Almond Scrub with Vitamin C,” a facial scrub that probably smells divine and is more reasonably priced: 2 ounces for $38.00.
The use of delicious scents in skin products continues to be huge this fall — everywhere you turn there are products that sound so good it’s hard not to taste, as well as sniff, them. Infusion Bath and Body has come up with a new line called Mediterranean Body that reportedly includes “ingredients harvested throughout the Mediterranean Region” such as clementine, tangerine, basil, vanilla bean and lavender.
8 ounces of Infusion’s “Souffle Body Cream” (available in “tangerine and mandarin with orange and a hint of thyme”) can be purchased on line for $18.00.
Just listen to the names in the new line of fall skin care products being advertised by one of the oldest skin care manufacturers in the business, Crabtree and Evelyn….Avocado, Aloe Vera, Freesia, Lily of the Valley, “Nantucket Briar” and Sonoma Oasis.
Consumers who are sad summer is almost over can hold onto warm memories by lathering on ”Nantucket Briar”, which is described as a “complex blend of incense, spice, wild rose and green grass.”
Speaking of appealing to the senses, if you caught any of the gymnastic events in the Olympics recently, it would have been tough to miss the glimmer of glitter on the eyelids, cheeks and in the hair of several U.S. gymnasts. Sparkles are big this fall — from head to toe. Several manufacturers have come up with creams that can brighten up your eyes, your shoulders, the back of your knees…
Lota Cosmetics has created a soft pink “shimmer powder” called “Sprinkle Me Lota.” You can look good all over — and feel good too with this product, because a portion of the cost is donated to Breast Cancer Awareness. “Warm your skin and your heart as you help others,” reads the promo for “Sprinkle Me Lota” which costs $18.00.
Other fun glitter and shimmer products include “Tarte Flash”, a glistening powder set that includes colors like Sugar Daddy (bronze), Golddigger (gold) and Tickled Pink, all for $34.00.
Of course, before you plunk down any cash for Souffle Body Cream or Tarte Flash you should make an appointment at one of two, excellent Worcester salons that offer complete facial services, Paul Conzo Day Spa and Hair Salon or Tu Moda European Day Spa. At Paul Conzo, which is located at 490 Shrewsbury Street, there’s a full menu of facials for just about every budget.
You can choose a $25.00 Collagen Masque, which will re-hydrate and improve the elasticity of summer damaged skin, choose a Spa Facial which features a complete massage of “exotic oils and herbs”, cleansing steam and an organic mask for $85.00, or really do something great for your skin with a $150.00 Deep Pore Facial which includes an aromatic herbal body wrap and more, for all your skin’s requirements.
Tu Moda, which is at 574 Pleasant Street, offers a $45.00 Facial Escape designed to cleanse and rehabilitate your skin with nourishing oils and an In Spa Retinol Facial for $80.00, promoting skin cell restoration while hydrating dry skin, customized to each customer’s skin type.
So before you head out to swath your body in a new fall wardrobe, take care of your skin first. A healthy, glowing face and body — especially one softened with Souffle Body Cream, scented with Freesia, and Tickled Pink with shimmer powder after a facial from Paul Conzo or Tu Moda — is always a better investment than the most expensive designer outfit.
