Is it true that we can eat, drink and be beautiful? I fully support the general idea that beauty begins within and the things we put into our bodies can and will ultimately affect skin. After all, skin is the largest organ of the body and organ health is always affected by nutrition. The real question is .. Is that enough? Can you cause beauty simply by using a Nutriceutical or Nutricosmetic? As unconventional as it sounds, I found that most ingestible beauty products make specific claims I’m not sure we can prove. Consumers flock at the possibility that they can harness the power of the proverbial fountain of youth for a few dollars. This unregulated sector of the beauty industry  generates over $50 million in the US alone. My research revealed the following:

Glo by Agel: claims to use special nutrients to enhance and hydrate skin in a gel suspension. Personally, I couldn’t get past the thick consistency or the taste of  this product so, I cannot vouch for any specific result.

Glisodin: Skin Nutrients that come in four unique formulas formulated by dermatologists & Paula Simpson noted fitness expert, nutritionist.

Glisodin is designed to support the skin health, beauty, and esthetic medical or surgical procedures. The foundational ingredient is a  patented genetically engineered melon extract. I mixed the Detox formula powder with distilled water for about a month and noticed a definite result. My skin was hydrated, I lost a few pounds and my digestive system was quite regular.  However, I didn’t care much for the taste.

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Pure Invention comes in a dropper bottle so you can spike your water with extracts. The seven different formulas deliver doses of green tea, blueberry & white tea, cranberry with elderberry, pomegranate & acai and finally cocoa. They taste great and in the 8oz glass; you get no calories, artificial sweeteners, caffeine, preservatives, gluten or alcohol.  Not bad! The benefits… cell rejuvenation, a boost in brain function, remedy for anxiety, insomnia, weight loss, and healthy skin.

The jury is still out on the long term effects of the nutricosmetic but, I believe this is a trend that is here to stay.

5 Summer Beauty Products You Must Buy

The word is that the wax is what makes UniK so special. My technician, Tabi was wonderful and waxed a perfect Brazilian, underarm and eyebrow with no pain, all for under $50. The brain behind the chain of 23 UniK Wax Centers is Noemi Grupenmager. In 1993 Noemi opened her first location in South Beach and its now a growing franchise. I hear there is quite a cult following (you know that means celebrity) due to the signature green wax made out of South American pine sap, bees wax and aloe vera.

This special blend of wax is never warmer than your own skin temperature, and will not pull or harm skin. Freshly prepared on site daily, means that every client gets their own fresh pot and the excess is disposed after each service. I guess I understand now why the formula is in a vault. Look for the two newest locations coming to Tampa Bay and NY’s Flatiron district sometime this year. Best bargain by far, based on the crowd in the waiting room you might want to book an appointment even though they take walk ins. UniK is in a city near you. Happy Waxing!

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For every material girl obsessed with her gems this product is a dream come true. Want to find out how your 925 silver bling can heal your face? Well, silver has healing properties that have been used by doctors throughout time to speed up cell repair by blocking bacteria’s ability to transfer oxygen through its cell walls. Hippocrates, the Father of Modern Medicine wrote about it as an antibacterial cure.

Argentum as it is called is mentioned in the book of Genesis, and besides paying debts with it, eating with it, and wearing it; ancient civilizations used silver to disinfected water and for food during storage. This explains why you see silver goblets on the tables of kings and queens. Voyages across the world would not have been possible if it were not for silver coins placed into barrels of water and wine to keep it pure during voyages. Today you still find it in silver cream used to treat burns.

I’m excited about COR, the Silver Soap® its puts an important element to work. Cor’s ingredients are nano silver, silica and a special delivery system which allows the active ingredients to get to the core of problematic skin. Silica prepares the skin like a sponge by drawing the silver particles in. In order to activate the ingredients you’ll need to create a rich lather and apply the foam to your face. Once the foam is on your face, leave it resting for another one to two minutes then rinse with warm water and pat dry. As it restores the pH of skin your healing begins. On occasion it may make your skin feel a little tight, just decrease your foaming time. Use it only once per day and after the first week reduce the time the foam is left on your face.

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In about a week you will see a difference. FYI it works wonders on back and chest acne… get a little help with the lathering part, jump into a steamy shower and rinse. Samples start at $14 and the large bar is lots more but last for six months. Silver has long been used to help heal burn victims due to its known anti-bacterial and cell regeneration properties so, Cor commissioned its own “skin bling” in the image of the silver soap sitting on its soap dish and partnered with The Burn Institute to donate 10% of all sales from the necklace. A win-win for all …enjoy!

The Perks Of Eyebrow Threading

The sheer brilliance of light first celebrated in nature, is now harnessed by man to facilitate healing and beautiful skin.

What if I told you that in one minute or less a flashing light treatment would reduce sun damage, hyper pigmentation and even wrinkles? What if I also told you… it doesn’t burn, sting, or hurt and can be used by just about anyone without any side effects?  I’m sure at that point you’d have many questions, so here goes…

This machine is called GentleWaves®. It runs on several tiny LED bulbs which flash and emit a special prescriptive dose of light. The dose of light speaks directly to the billions of cells in your body that once activated can heal, restore or regenerate skin. This technology first developed in space to grow plants uses a process similar to photosynthesis, turning on collagen production from the inside out.   GentleWaves was the first LED machine FDA cleared to reduce wrinkles and sun damage. Since then it has proven to be the ultimate workout for your skin; with many companies unsuccessfully attempting to copy the action of the GentleWaves unit.

Let’s talk aged and sun-damaged skin… We all know it usually manifests into wrinkles, dark spots or unevenly textured skin.  The main culprit of aging is UVA rays which go deep into the skin; damaging the collagen and elastin cells that keep the skin plump and tight. The result is similar to the drooping or caving of an old mattress.

While the light stimulates collagen growth from the inside, the collagen fills in the empty spaces and smoothing out the mattress from the bottom up. This helps to  level out the wound or wrinkle while re-texturing skin facilitating beautiful looking skin again.  It is so amazing my students have named it “the precious”.  This is no miracle cure however, to maintain this new look requires daily use of sunscreen and not repeating the lifestyle choices that caused the damage in the first place.

One final note: this technology is revolutionary because just about anyone can use it, the whole treatment takes under a minute to perform and it does not burn, hurt or excite melanin in darker skin types.  If you have been battling hyper pigmentation, after eight or so treatments you will see results. Originally only available in the doctor’s office at about $100 or more per treatment, now you can find it at spas or in esthetic practices nationwide at about half the price.  Most places offer a series where you pay for seven treatments and get the eighth one free.  Do not have this service if you are pregnant or either prone to migraines or seizures, the blinking light could stimulate a reaction; otherwise this is a brilliant treatment. Watch the video where I perform a treatment in class, if you have questions, send them to me on twitter .  Until next time, Seven

Make yourself comfortable and sexy! For more than 60 years Dearfoams has delivered comfortable affordable footwear to the tune of 20 million a year. This month they uncovered new looks. Who better to host a style event but Su Chin Pac and Tim Gunn. In Tim’s own words, “comfort should exist with style” .  I say, they made it work!

WTF? Raven Symone hits the runway for fashion week

Please view the show and let me know what you think.  I went backstage with the Tela Design team and learned out the signature hair style was created.  The challenge facing the team was to make one hairstyle work for all three designers.  Not such an easy feat as each has not only a different style but the looks went from very tailored or structured to ball gowns.  Take a look behind the scenes. Then watch the show.

GALLERY: KeKe Palmer & Michelle Williams do Fashion Week

SB:      How should you chose a color?
DG:     “Select a color based on your lifestyle, hair color,  skin tone, also weather your hair is relaxed on natural, or how healthy your hair is, and your ability to up keep the color. ”

SB:      What type of color is best?
DG:     “If you must do your own color, choose semi- permanent it washes out in a few weeks and is easier to maintain. If you go to a professional, they will choose the best product for you. We use Alfapar because it is very low in ammonia which what you want, it’s less damaging to black hair.”

SB:      Texture and length matters – how?
DG:     “If you hair is natural you can pretty much use any type of color you like, if your hair is relaxed you can only lighten or lift so much without damaging the hair. The rule is you can color over a relaxer but should not relax after color.  Remember hair shorter than four inches isnt really long enough to show off highlights .”

SB:      Give us the rules for at home follow up care.
DG:     “Always use a shampoo for color treated hair and deep condition your hair with heat once a week to maintain the health of your hair. Go back for your root touchups every 4-6 weeks, Highlights will look good for 3-6 months before needing a touch up.”

SB:      What are the do & don’ts, final thoughts?
DG:     “People think that it is ok to use box color on your hair but most of the time the color that is on the box will not give you the results you want, especially when you are trying to go light. Also, color-treated hair demands extra care. Use products rich in moisturizing ingredients and low in ammonia, condition regularly, and use heat and treatment oils to prevent damage due to the coloring.”

Find Dana on the web or tune in Monday’s to hear Dana live on her radio show at 8pm EST .  Enjoy the video.

It took me a minute to express myself, as I just didn’t know what to say.

This last week I’ve been running almost purely on autopilot. So full of emotion and grief for our brothers and sisters in Haiti. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, felt it all,  this tragic moment reminds me we all live by grace and how much we all need one another. Today at 4:53PM will mark exactly one week since the earthquake hit. I will spend that precise moment in complete silence for the many innocent people that no longer have a voice. Do what you can to help,  no matter how small.   Stay BEAUTIFUL!

 RELIVE THE BALL DROP OF 2010

‘Tis the season to be jolly … with shorter list and on a budget.  The last minute dash to the finish line can make for impulsive and reckless spending. This season’s best gifts are the ones you give of yourself or should help make the world a bit brighter.  Which is why I just couldn’t resist sharing a few last minute beauty deals, online departments store bargains, tax deductible gifts and coupons for all.

“BEAUTY WITH A CAUSE” L’Occitane Moments in Africa soap set gives 100% of the purchase to the “United to Save Sight” campaign $8   The Body Shop’s Kind Heart Hand Cream heals chapped hands and young people across the globe. Proceeds go to EPCAT USA, which helps provide protection and care to children at the risk of sex trafficking $10. Although, World Aids Day has come and gone, MAC Viva Glam Lip Kit will still give 100% of the proceeds to the MAC AIDS fund to support women, men, and children living with HIV and AIDS $22.50.

“DEPARTMENT STORE BEAUTY DEALS” Lord & Taylor Beauty Sale, Macys gift sets,  or gift with purchase, Nordstrom Last Minute Beauty Deals, Dillards – Holiday Deals on Allure Best of Beauty Winners,   Barneys Witty Holiday Bergdorf Goodman Holiday Beauty, Bloomingdales Holiday Shop,  and last but not least Saks Fifth Avenue Beauty.  “

SOMETHING DIFFERENT” Not into the beauty thing, shop at eBay Giving Works you can buy, sell and donate anything for a good cause. A to Z Deals has all types of coupons,

“OUT OF TOWNER” Take a peek at  the legendary NYC Holiday Windows in the comfort of your own home.   Enjoy a safe and happy holiday shopping!   I’ll leave you with the video “The True Meaning of Christmas” an old school favorite .

Hello Beautiful!  I know several women that are the cornerstone of their family; I bet you can think of a few yourselves.  There is no substitute  for the kind of woman  that raises a family, holds a job or two, still has time to grow and hold on to a sense of self.  Black Voices  went so far as to name the 20 Sexiest Black Women Over Forty, describing  them as “women who take care of themselves, create their own power, stay sexy to the public and themselves;   an older women who knows what she wants,  has something to teach and looks so good that she makes young boys cry.”  Wow! Share your power with the world, I say celebrate your age, embrace it.

FaboverFifty.com is  a new website created to give a voice to women over fifty.   The brainchild, Geri Brin is  a publisher, writer and marketing executive. Geri feels like this movement will force the world to stand up and take notice of what 50+ women are thinking, feeling, wearing, looking for and buying. Geri is 62 years old and writes a daily blog. Sign on, find out what she has to say or just tell her about someone you know that is Fab over Fifty!

I am also recommending a truly inspiring read and great gift … “Jewels: 50 Phenomenal Black Women Over 50” written by Michael Cunningham and poetry by Nikki Giovanni. Check it out and let me know what you think. Watch this video for more information about Fab over Fifty.

The “pocketbook” is a term for the vagina commonly used among women in the south. To my surprise, it is also a recognized term in the urban dictionary. This week the journey is about both a sensual and beautiful you.  Given that there’s plenty out here to pretty up the pocketbook, you can be looking and feeling like new money in no time.

First things first..a FRESH pocketbook. Try a product like Sweet Spot a gentle feminine wash in either scented or unscented. Check for products that are pH balanced with botanical or natural ingredients. Secondly, it’s your prerogative whether you wax or shave, but please be sure to “mow the lawn”.  Once groomed… express yourself with color, shapes or even bling. My girls at Betty Beauty sell a brilliant dye formulated for the hair down there in many colors from bridal blue to hot pink. The kit comes complete with mini scissors, charm and stencils.

The final step has the potential to put the happy back in home… let me introduce you to PK24 a vaginal tightening crème. PK24 not only tightens the internal walls of the vagina but it works in as fast as five minutes and can last for up to 24 hours. This has changed my perspective on how much you can accomplish in a day. Clinically tested, made from a special blend of plant extracts and when used as directed, it produces no known side effects. I was so blown away I had to go out and get the word on the street. To see the clip click here

Women and makeup continue a tenuous relationship of … I love you but I don’t know how to use you. Sam Fine, a champion of black women and beauty has perfected his craft painting the faces of celebrities like Iman, Vanessa Williams, and Tyra Banks. The launch of his new DVD “The Basics of Beauty” gives every woman the opportunity to learn practical but powerful beauty tips in an instructional video.

I had the honor to spend a little time with Sam on the red carpet at the Thurgood Marshall Foundations Front Row Fashion Show where he was honored as an icon and a legend in both beauty and fashion. Available at amazon.com.

Watch the video below:

Take a look at who attended the event: